By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
June 10, 2023-With the score tied at 1 at the end of the second overtime period, a penalty kick shootout was needed for the Girls-Under-13 State Open Cup championship game on June 3 at Stringham Park in LaGrange. Empire State Alleycats 2010G bested the Smithtown Kickers Slammers Maroon, 4-2, in penalty kicks to win the state championship and advance to the Regionals. The Alleycats 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.
Ashley Shaw scored the Alleycats’ one goal during the run of play.
Alleycats’ coach Betsy Drambour, who had seven caps for the US Women’s National Team, stated, “We played very direct. It was a hard-fought game that came down to 50-50 balls.”
The State Cup was presented by LifeVac, the choking rescue device that has saved over 900 lives and counting.
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/