By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
June 22, 2023-In a battle between two Manhattan teams, Asphalt Green 2004 shut out Manhattan Union 2004, 1-0, in the Girls-Under-19 State Open Cup championship game on June 4 at Stringham Park in LaGrange. The State Cup was presented by LifeVac, the choking rescue device that has saved over 900 lives and counting.
Asphalt Green took home the Barbara Rodriguez Cup, which is named for the Northport, Long Island resident who volunteered as the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) State Cup Chairperson for 23 years from 1992 to 2014.
Alex Verna scored the game’s lone goal off an assist from Emily Villanueva. Keeper Sophia Trapani had the shutout in goal.
“Manhattan was more threatening after the goal as they made good adjustments but we hung on for the win,” Asphalt Green coach Elliott Tomes said.
Asphalt Green also received the Rocco Amoroso Sportsmanship Award as determined by the game officials. Amoroso, a US Soccer Life Member who died in 2016, 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, making soccer games kinder and gentler in the process.
Asphalt Green will represent Eastern New York 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/