By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
July 1, 2023-The Town of Poughkeepsie Strikers of the East Hudson Youth Soccer League (EHYSL) defeated the West Hempstead Falcons of the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL), 8-1, to win the Boys-Under-16 Challenge Cup. This Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) championship game was played on June 4 at Strngham Park in LaGrange.
“Our passing was really good,” stated Poughkeepsie coach Paul Abbatiello.
Outman Aut Sidi Ahmed and Cameron Welsh both scored two goals while Anthony Abbatiello, Daniel Campbell, Jack Tolbot and Michael Urso each scored one for Poughkeepsie.
West Hempstead received the Rocco Amoroso Sportsmanship Award as determined by the game officials. Amoroso, a US Soccer Life Member who died in 2016, started the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) Sportsmanship Program in 1980 and it spread to Eastern New York, nationally and then to China and Ireland.
The Challenge Cup was presented by LifeVac, the choking rescue device that has saved over 900 lives and counting.
With approximately 100,000 youth soccer players––both boys and girls––and more than 25,000 volunteers, the non-profit Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) stretches from Montauk Point, Long Island to the Canadian border. Members are affiliated with 10 leagues throughout the association, which covers the entire state of New York east of Route 81. ENYYSA exists to promote and enhance the game of soccer for children and teenagers between the ages of 5 and 19 years old, and to encourage the healthy development of youth players, coaches, referees and administrators. All levels of soccer are offered––from intramural, travel team and premier players as well as Children With Special Needs. No child who wants to play soccer is turned away. ENYYSA is a proud member of the United States Soccer Federation and United States Youth Soccer Association. For more information, please log onto http://www.enysoccer.com/