Smithtown’s line-up on ESPN3
By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
December 30, 2013-Through a 58th minute goal by TJ Butzke from 17 yards, Smithtown Arsenal blanked Tennessee SC 15, 1-0, on ESPN3 on Friday morning. The Boys-Under-17 US Youth Soccer National League game was played at ESPN Wide World of Sports in Kissimmee, Florida.
Smithtown finished in first place in the Red Division with a 6-0-1 record, scoring 13 goals and giving up only two goals. Goalkeeper Noah Varonier did not concede a goal in the first five games as the national champions had registered five consecutive shutouts.
Smithtown, who represented the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) and Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) so well in winning the Boys-Under-16 national championship last summer, dominated the game against Tennessee. They had 56% possession and a 26-5 advantage in shots while corner kicks were 9-3 in favor of Smithtown.
"The reason for our success is a combination of parental support, our tactical approach plus we have talented players who work hard and have a tremendous personal desire to win," said Smithtown coach Tom Lips. He is a former Eastern New York ODP coach who played professionally with the New England Revolution, Long Island Rough Riders plus FC St. Gallen of the Swiss First Division.
With 123,843 youth soccer players––68,587 boys and 55,256 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 11 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 Special Children. 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 on to http://www.enysoccer.com/, which receives nearly 300,000 hits annually from the growing soccer community.
Back row, left to right-Antonio Scanni, Matt Hellerman, Zach Pogrob, Matt Aprile, Chris Abruzzo, Jake Giuffrida, Noah Varonier, Alejandro Ruiz, Garrett Sweeney, Chris Hettler
Front row, left to right-Moosah Khanat, Steve Dovi, Doug Toledo, Casey Abelein, TJ Butzke, Harrison Weilbacher, Beau Hornberger, Steve Braccioforte, Matt McDonnell, Joe Lomonaco