Back row, left to right: Coach Phil Bannister, Shae Brennan, Keira Nyarady, Claire Friedlander, Annie Maguire, Gillian Alessi, Leah Rifas, Christina Augustin, Sofia Kolndreu, Una McCorry, Caigan Leonard, Kayley Huleatt
Front row, left to right: Hayanna Silva, Kaitlyn Krieger, Micaela Ross, Brooke Huleatt, Miya Frank, Charlotte Maineiro, Juliette Sullivan, Kaitlyn Judge, Sofia Rosenblatt, Coach Mike Friedlander
Camera shy: Amanda Berry, who had to fly home right after the game
By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
August 3, 2023-Congratulations to Patriots FC which won the Girls-Under-18 US Youth Soccer national championship on July 23 in Orlando. With most of the players coming from Westchester, Patriots FC dominated nationals, winning all five games and outscoring their opponents by 13 to 1.
The final was between two teams from the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) and Patriots defeated Long Island’s Middle Country SBMC, 2-0, on goals by Leah Rifas and Micaela Ross to become national champs.
“I believe the main characteristics that propelled us to winning the national championship were the togetherness and teamwork of the group,” Patriots coach Phil Bannister stated. “Every girl played a significant part over our five games. The fact that this was our last tournament together made winning the national championship even more special!”
Patriots FC are also the state champions, having defeated Force FC, 2-1, in overtime on June 4 in LaGrange, New York to win the Richard Christiano Cup. Just like nationals, Patriots gave up only one goal in the State Cup, scoring 18 goals to win their four games in the competition.
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 on to http://www.enysoccer.com/