
Back row, left to right: Coach Olando Evans, Daniel Ospina, Owen Caraftis, Jose Bautista, Eldis Radoncic, Garfield Gillespie, Louis Pelo, Nathan Hough, Greg Ancona, Juan Mayoral, Dean Burchard
Front row, left to right: Ryan Narvaez, Brady Schmidt, Mathatix Tejera, Gavin Henninger, Jared Noble, Luke Copland, Aristeo Aniceto, Andrew Wicik, Manager Roberto Aniceto
By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
July 14, 2023-The Dix Hills Ultimatum won five games and tied one during Regionals in late June in Loudoun County, Virginia, outscoring their opponents 25 to 2 to win the Boys-Under-17 Regional championship. Their only tie, a 1-1 draw, came against another Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) team, the Massapequa Boltz.
Dix Hills will be representing Eastern New York at the Nationals from July 17 to 23 in Orlando as part of the National Championship Series.
"We were focused on two main characteristics going into the Regional tournament and that was to work harder than every team we faced and also to play with utmost confidence in each game, no matter who we played against. We knew this was our chance to make Nationals so we had to make it count,” coach Olando Evans stated. "The first game helped us to settle quickly after winning convincingly, 8-0, and that gave us the confidence to push on for the rest of the tournament."
The Ultimatum team name came about as the coaches wanted an original name, an affiliated squad had the name Ultra in the 2005 boys age group so they came up with Ultimatum. The boys thought it was cool so they just went with that unique name.
Coach Evans concluded, “To prepare for Nationals, our plan is the same as it was for the Regionals and that’s to go play a high level of attractive soccer and win games. We also want to enjoy the moment because we understand that this is a tremendous achievement for our club, players and coaches to be at this prestigious event. Our players are extremely excited to be there so we will prepare for the challenges ahead.”
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/