The new champions, FC Dutchmen
By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
August 5, 2015-FC Dutchmen became the boys of summer for 2015 as they won the Eastern District Soccer League (EDSL) Men’s-Under-23 title. The new champs did not give up a goal in the Final Four played at Stringham Park in LaGrange last Sunday, August 2.
These games for state supremacy pitted the top teams from the Capital District Soccer League (CDSL), the Greater Hudson Valley Soccer League (GHVSL) and Long Island Soccer Football League (LISFL). Most of the rosters grew up playing in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA).
“This league comes together only through great cooperation between Eastern New York’s adult and youth associations,” commented EDSL President Peter Pinori.
In the semifinals, Ty Aderou scored in the 10th minute while Rafik Mehhoudi and Mike Fanelli added second half goals as the FC Dutchmen of the CDSL cruised to a 3-0 win over the GHVSL’s East Fishkill. In the other semi, Port Jefferson of the LISFL defeated the GHVSL’s second representative in the Final Four, LaGrange 2-0.
As the Rosedale Super Eagles won last summer’s championship, LISFL fans were hoping that Port Jefferson would keep the title in their historic league, which was founded in 1948. But coach Joe Duffy and his very impressive FC Dutchmen team had other ideas. Way Ayger scored in the 22nd minute and Connor Rubin added an insurance goal just before the final whistle to bring the championship trophy to Albany County for the first time in the seven-year history of the summer competition.
“Our league gives players home from or entering college the opportunity to keep in shape during the summer,” GHVSL President Jim Eleftherion said. “All in all, it was the perfect soccer day.”
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.