By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
June 13, 2022-FC Somers Lady Hammers shut out the Auburndale Strikers, 4-0, in the Girls-Under-14 State Open Cup championship game for the Barry Salter Cup on June 4 at sunny Stringham Park in LaGrange. Salter volunteered as President of the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) from 2006-10 as well as serving in the same role with the Westchester Youth Soccer League (WYSL). He was inducted into the Halls of Fame of both groups plus was present for the game and the awards ceremony.
"It was a very good game, the girls worked hard and played very well," Salter commented.
Thiona Kelleher scored two goals, Paige Pena and Marley Hopkins each added one as keeper Ali Cabo had the shutout in the net.
“Our girls really like to practice and the best part is we won the EDP league and the State Cup as a group,” explained FC Somers coach Milan Davidovic, who has forged a close friendship with Auburndale coach Phil Bannister as they both serve as assistant coaches for the Fordham University men’s team.
FC Somers also received the Rocco Amoroso Sportsmanship Award as determined by the game officials. Amoroso, a US Soccer Life Member who died six years ago, 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, and in the process, made soccer games kinder and gentler.
FC Somers will represent Eastern New York at the East Regionals from June 24 to 30 in Charleston and Barboursville, West Virginia as part of the National Championship Series.
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 nine 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/