By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
June 23, 2022-In a game between two teams from Long Island, Massapequa Ladies Select shut out Long Island SC, 5-0, in the Girls-Under-19 State Cup title match on June 5 at Stringham Park in LaGrange.
The Barbara Rodriguez Cup that Massapequa received is named for the Northport resident who volunteered as the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) State Cup Chairperson for 23 years from 1992 to 2014.
Massapequa’s goal scorers were Thalia Morisi, Rachel Eister, Sophia Benagas, Brianna Nearp and Kaylin Ricci while Maeve Graham and Caroline Brucato shared the shutout in goal.
Massapequa coach Paul Bigilin stated, “We had a bigger roster than Long Island SC and our players returned home from playing in college soccer’s Spring Season so they are fit.”
Massapequa will represent Eastern New York at the East Regionals from June 24 to 30 in Charleston and Barboursville, West Virginia as part of the National Championship Series.
Long Island SC 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, and in the process, made soccer games kinder and gentler.
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 nine 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/