By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
July 9, 2015-Huntington’s HBC Impact ‘00 won all five games at Regionals from June 26 to 30 in West Virginia, outscoring their opponents, 11-2, in winning the Regional championship. The Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) Girls-Under-14 team will be playing for the national championship from July 21 to 26 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. HBC received another $2,000 donation from the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) for Nationals, in addition to their $2,000 check for Regionals, to defray their costs during the National Championship Series.
“We’d like to thank Eastern New York for their support this year, running the State Cup and getting us to Regionals and then helping us financially to get here, which was important for us,” commented HBC coach Billy Carroll. “Regionals is an expensive event and Eastern New York really stepped up big for us. We’re going to Oklahoma, we had a really, really tough bracket here at Regionals, the Group of Death, and I’m really proud of my girls for getting through it.”
Coach Carroll added, “For 14-year-olds to come here and act as professional as they did, I’m really proud of them. Some of my players had a huge, huge weekend.”
All 17 Impact players contributed to their Regional championship.
“To have that many players contribute speaks to the level of depth and work habit of our kids. We also went up against teams who only played their 10 starting field players,” Coach Carroll explained. “I believe because we played and trusted more girls, we were better rested, better hydrated and really more invested as a full team than others and I think it helped us in the stressful moments.”
Nina Carlomusto, Gina Giovinco and Lauren Mastrandrea scored in the 3-0 win over Virginia’s NVSC Jr. Majestics 00 in the Regional final with keeper Morgan Novikoff getting the shutout in goal. Ryan Conway was selected tournament MVP, with her and Kaylee Houlahan anchoring a defense that not only gave up few opportunities and only two goals but also provided great width in attack.
“The play from our attacking backs, Jade Fixon-Owoo, Sarah Quigley and Nina Carlomusto, especially in the last few games was unparalleled,” Coach Carroll added. “Daniella Keegan saved her best soccer of the year for the semifinals and finals. Lindsay Wright is typically a tenacious attacker in the withdrawn forward spot, and I was so proud of her selflessness and commitment to our team. Plus Julia Hannon was regularly marked by two and three opponents and yet scored a few brilliant goals and created most of our opportunities.”
After Nationals, HBC continues their ambitious schedule and will be playing in the USYSA National League, Bethesda Tournament, CASL Girls’ College Showcase, Disney Showcase and the Jefferson Cup.
“If we win them great, if not that's fine as long as we're developing and playing good soccer against good opponents,” Coach Carroll concluded.
With over 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 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.
Top row, left to right: Coach Billy Carroll, Nina Carlomusto, Summer Nolan, Team Administrator Kim Houlahan, Talani Barnett, Sarah Quigley, Coach Bill Carroll
Middle row, left to right: Jade Fixon-Owoo, Ryan Conway, Nicola Calabrese, Julia Hannon, Kaylee Houlahan, Gina Giovinco
Bottom row, left to right: Lauren Mastrandrea, Daniella Keegan, Katie Buquicchio, Morgan Novikoff, Daniella Cornelia, Frankie Lilly, Lindsay Wright
Camera shy: Coach Mike Reichert