By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
June 21, 2023-The South Shore Bulldogs won their third State Open Cup title, defeating FC Somers Arsenal, 3-0, to win the Boys-Under-19 State Open Cup at Stringham Park in LaGrange on June 4. The State Cup was presented by LifeVac, the choking rescue device that has saved over 900 lives and counting.
The cup’s namesake, Peter Collins, volunteered as Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) President from 1977 to 2004, coached the Hicksville Minutemen to the Boys-Under-19 national finals and was a U.S. Soccer Hall of Famer and U.S. Soccer Life Member.
“We lost some guys who aren’t playing college soccer and could not commit to this level of play. We added some really good guys, we got some games in and have a good understanding of what we want to do,” South Shore coach Vincent Companion explained, "Our defensive shape was excellent today against FC Somers, a really good team.”
David Akpen scored two goals, Alex Adou added one, Sean Gordon assisted on all three goals plus keeper Sean Romessi had the shutout in goal.
South Shore also won the Rocco Amoroso Sportsmanship Award as determined by the game officials. Amoroso, a US Soccer Life Member who died seven years ago, started the LIJSL Sportsmanship Program in 1980 and it spread throughout the world.
South Shore will represent the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) at the East Regionals from June 23 to 29 in Loudoun County, 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 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/