By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
June 17, 2017-HBC Impact won its third straight State Open Cup when they defeated Stony Brook Surf, 5-1, on Sunday, June 4. This Girls-Under-17 championship game between two Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) teams was played at Stringham Park in LaGrange. Stony Brook did not leave the Hudson Valley empty-handed, however, as they received the Rocco Amoroso Sportsmanship Award as determined by the game officials.
HBC is in the middle of another amazing season as they went undefeated in the Eastern Regional Premier League and have conceded only three goals all spring. They have played in five State Open Cup finals, winning the last three years.
“Our success starts with a club president in Bill Rudy who really supports the team, gives us access to great fields to practice possession-based soccer on a regular basis so it’s not surprising to see HBC have multiple teams consistently in the state finals,” commented HBC Coach Billy Carroll. “Our administrator Kim Houlahan is the reason the team runs so smoothly. Our team would never be as successful if it wasn't for her. She does all the administration work but it's so much more than that. Kim is so experienced at this point, she takes care of issues and problems before they can manifest themselves. She is amazing with the girls, and is a large part of the reason the girls are so tight.”
Coach Carroll continued, “Most of these players have been with HBC for the last four years and through these last four State Cup finals. Anyone we've brought in has fit the idea of being a good soccer player, but more importantly a good person. We strive as a whole to be a team people can be proud of both on and off the field. They really play for each other, and for team success. We have a great group of parents who also support the model and the thought process of team first. We receive production, minutes and work from the entire roster. We are really proud of the girls, and the success they've had.”
Illustrating that everybody contributes, HBC had 16 different players score goals in Region 1 play or during the State Cup.
HBC will represent the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) at the Regionals, which they have won the past two years, from June 30 to July 4 in Spotsylvania, Virginia.
With over 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 11 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/, which receives nearly 300,000 hits annually from the growing soccer community.