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McGuire Cup champion Massapequa Arsenal at Region 1 Championships in West Virginia

By Arthena Sherwood, Communications Associate, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
 
January 7, 2015–From National Champions to National Pros, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) had a year full of achievements. Check out the top 5 moments of 2015:
 
5.   Two teams from Eastern New York qualify for Nationals
The Eastern New York 1999 Boys and 2000 Girls ODP teams were both victorious at the regional tournament on June 21. Both the 1999 Boys and 2000 Girls teams went 5-0-0 at the Region 1 tournament in Kirkwoord, Delaware. The 1999 Boys team is coached by Ralph Pascarella, assisted by Graham Radcliffe, while the 2000 Girls squad is coached by Jaime Gonzalez, Brooke DeRosa and Gary Book. Both teams will be playing at the US Youth Soccer ODP Championships in Phoenix, Arizona on February 26.
http://www.enysoccer.com/two_odp_teams_from_eastern_new_york_qualify_for_nationals/

4.   Eastern New York ODP Alumnus Jimmy Milligan Playing Midfield For the New York Cosmos
Former LIJSL player and now Cosmos midfielder Jimmy Milligan met with the many Cosmos fans and signed autographs for them at the Roosevelt Field shopping mall on April 15. During this time, Jimmy caught up with us and shared what he loves most about playing pro and playing with ENYYSA. Only a few months later, Jimmy went on to win the NASL Championships with his team, the NY Cosmos.
http://www.enysoccer.com/eastern_new_york_odp_alumnus_jimmy_milligan_playing_midfield_for_the_new_york_cosmos/

3.   Eastern New York Gives $1 Back For Every Registered Soccer Player
On August 1 during the AGM in Nanuet, NY, the Eastern New York Executive Board announced that they will be giving $1 back for every registered soccer player. Leagues will be able to use the money as they see fit for the benefit of their players. “This rebate further demonstrates the commitment of our Eastern New York state association to its member leagues,” commented LIJSL President Anthony Maresco. This was a momentous moment for Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association.
http://www.enysoccer.com/eastern_new_york_gives_1_back_for_every_registered_soccer_player/?CategoryId=0&Year=2015&pg=2

2.   Crystal Dunn Wows the Terryville Breakers at a Training Session
2015 has been quite the year for Crystal Dunn. This Eastern New York Alumni has been dubbed the Most Valuable Player of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and been selected to play on the US Women’s National Team in one year. Crystal has played alongside fan favorites like Abby Wambach, Hope Solo and Alex Morgan, so there is no surprise by the level of excitement during her training session with the Terryville Breakers on November 2. After the training session, Crystal held a Q&A giving the girls advice on how to stay focused and become successful in soccer and beyond. Crystal’s role as an inspiration to the young female athletes of Eastern New York has gained a place on the list.
http://www.enysoccer.com/nwsl_mvp_crystal_dunn_wows_the_terryville_breakers_at_a_training_session/

1.   Massapequa Arsenal win US Youth Soccer National Championship Series
Massapequa Arsenal took home the gold on July 25 after winning the US Youth National Championships. The prestigious Under-19 Boys James P. McGuire Cup has not been won by a team from Eastern New York since 1959. This was the first time in 56 years since an Eastern New York team has won the Cup. Making Eastern New York history, Massapequa Arsenal is more than worthy of the number one spot.
http://www.enysoccer.com/massapequa_arsenal_win_the_prestigious_mcguire_cup_as_boys-under-19_national_champions_/

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 Special Children. 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/, which receives nearly 300,000 hits annually from the growing soccer community.

By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association

June 4, 2014-The Sachem Speed scored the only goal of the game midway through the second half to shut out Huntington’s HBC Barracudas, 1-0, in the Girls-Under-12 State Open Cup final. The battle between two Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) teams for Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) supremacy was played on Saturday, May 31 at Stringham Park in LaGrange.

Sachem’s Brooke Paele dribbled near the touchline and crossed the ball to Lakin Ciampo, who scored on a breakaway. Keeper Allison Devall had the shutout in goal.

“HBC is such a talented team,” commented Sachem Speed coach Krista Minto. “They put up a really good fight but we were able to grind out a win.”

Coach Minto played with the LIJSL’s East Meadow Soccer Club growing up, then for Boston University.

Sachem received a $2,000 check from Eastern New York to defer the costs of playing in the Regionals from June 26 to July 1 in Kingston, Rhode Island.

HBC received the Howard Rubenstein Sportsmanship Award as selected by the match officials. Now retired, Mr. Rubenstein was seemingly involved in every facet of New York soccer for decades and is a member of the Halls of Fame of Eastern New York, the US Amateur Soccer Association and the LIJSL.

With 123,843 youth soccer players––68,587 boys and 55,256 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 Special Children. 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/, which receives nearly 300,000 hits annually from the growing soccer community.

By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
 
September 16, 2015-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is pleased to announce that President Richard Christiano has named Andreas Touros as Trustee.

Our new Trustee was born in Paphos, Cyprus in 1956. He played soccer in the streets and then started competing for the Paphos Football Club, playing one year as goalkeeper of the reserve team and then for the Division 1 team at the young age of 15.

“I was so nervous playing two full games and had some other playing time in the Premier Division as a teenager. But it was a great feeling!” Andreas said.

He played for the Cyprus Under-23 National Team until the age of 20, when he received an invitation from Philip Christopher to come to New York to play for the New York Pancyprian Freedoms. In 1979, Andreas was recruited by Dieter Ficken to play goal for LIU but he never received the chance to do so since Dieter then took the coaching position at Columbia University. Andreas, instead, found a great deal of success playing for the new LIU coach, Arnold Ramirez, in the early 1980’s, winning the Metropolitan Conference every year, qualifying for the NCAA playoffs and ranking as high as sixth nationally.

He then found success as a coach with many teams. He coached Greek-Americans to the Hellenic-American Soccer League (HASL) title and New York Pancyprian Freedoms to both the HASL title and the Inter-Regional League championship. Five years ago, Andreas plus Peter Lagonikas brought New York Olympiakos back to life, winning the Long Island Soccer Football League (LISFL) Division 3 championship and being promoted to Division 1 in three years time. Andreas was also the HASL All-Star Team coach during the 1990’s.

“In 1994, we were the only league playing in a national tournament in Pennsylvania vs. state select teams and we were asked to play the US Under-20 National Team, tying 0-0, and the US Under-23 National Team, winning 2-0,” Andreas explained.

He founded Kosmos FC in 1996 with a goal in mind to keep kids off the streets and help them become good citizens and has served as its Director of Coaching since. The objective was to use their talent in soccer as a vehicle to receive an education at good colleges and succeed in life. Kosmos FC, based in Queens and playing in the United States’ oldest youth soccer league, the Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League (CJSL), has won numerous State Cups, most recently the Boys-Under-12 Small-Sided and Boys-Under-19 State Open Cup in 2014, and many of its alumni have played college soccer, including Andreas’ three children––Demetrios, Peter and Nikolas––who also competed for Eastern New York’s Olympic Development Program (ODP).

Andreas, a 59-year-old Bellerose resident, has volunteered on the CJSL Board of Directors for the past decade, the last three in the role as First Vice President. He co-chairs the City Cup with CJSL President Dimitrie Draguca plus works with the CJSL Select Program and High School Soccer Showcase. This is all in addition to his “real job” as a physical education teacher for the New York City Department of Education.

“I would like to thank the Eastern New York Board of Directors for giving me the opportunity to work together to better soccer in New York,” Andreas stated. “We need to start our effort from educating the parents first and make them understand what is best for their child. Parents are the ones who dictate the future of soccer in New York and we need to care about the healthy development of our youth.”

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 Special Children. 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/, which receives nearly 300,000 hits annually from the growing soccer community.

Photo courtesy of Duke University

By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association

February 11, 2014-Kim DeCesare is taking her considerable soccer skills to New England to play for the Boston Breakers, who selected her in the National Women’s Soccer League Draft last month in Philadelphia. The 22-year-old Massapequa Park resident played two years for the Olympic Development Program (ODP) of the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) and one year on Region 1 ODP.

In the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL), Kim played from Girls-Under-10 to Girls-Under-18 with the Massapequa Power. After she and her teammates graduated from high school, the Power no longer existed so Kim then played two summers with the LIJSL’s HBC Arsenal.

“I started coaching Kimberly when she was a five-year-old girl in squirts in the Massapequa Soccer Club. I was fortunate to have her for much of her intramural seasons,” commented Massapequa Power coach Tom Daly. “I had the pleasure of watching her grow up to be a leader, a talented athlete, a driven competitor and most importantly a well-rounded young lady.”

She won one state championship with Massapequa High School and counted a game as a freshman as one of her best moments ever on a soccer field.

“I was called up from JV and played in my second high school game versus our rivals South Side,” Kim said. “We went into overtime and our coaches, Bruce Stegner and Kerry Jacobs, put me up top although I normally played defense. I scored in the first overtime and we won the game, 1-0. Scoring as a freshman in high school playing with my varsity team idols was huge for me!”

2008 was a very good year for Kim at Massapequa High School as she was named the Most Valuable Player in girls soccer in Nassau County and received the Michael Clarke Award, named after the esteemed Eastern New York Hall of Famer, as well as being honored as the Newsday Long Island Player of the Year and Gatorade Player of the Year for New York State.

The National Honor Society member used a LIJSL Scholarship to partially fund her education at Duke University. As a redshirt sophomore, she scored the first goal of the game in a 4-1 victory over Wake Forest in the NCAA Semifinals to send the Blue Devils to the final, where they lost to Stanford, 1-0.

“Kimberly became the mainstay on defense for the Massapequa Power. With sort of an old-school mind set, there was never a harder worker in practice or better teammate. She always put the team's success before her own accolades,” added Coach Daly. “She was there when someone needed a pat on the back, or even a soft kick in the butt. She’s earned everything she has achieved with her blood, sweat and heart. I have never seen anyone want something so badly, and put so much work into achieving a dream. I am thrilled for her on being drafted into the NWSL!”

With 123,843 youth soccer players––68,587 boys and 55,256 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 Special Children. 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/, which receives nearly 300,000 hits annually from the growing soccer community.

By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association

March 20, 2017-Although today is the first day of spring, snow still covers much of the Empire State as our youth players try to get ready for the upcoming Spring Season.

10 players from the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) are on the rosters of the 10 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) teams as they prepare for the kick-off of the NWSL season on Saturday, April 15. Eight of these players played in Eastern New York's Olympic Development Program (ODP). Our players in the NWSL grew up in the Hudson Valley, Westchester and Long Island:

Additionally, two of our former ODP players are now playing overseas. 2015 NWSL Most Valuable Player Crystal Dunn is competing for Chelsea in England and 2015 NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year Michelle Betos recently signed with Norwegian side Valerenga.

“It’s very exciting to follow the careers of these exceptional players from Eastern New York and know that ODP contributed to their development,“ said Eastern New York ODP Chairperson Jim Volpe. “I hope they all have long and successful careers plus lead the way for many more of our players to join the ranks of the NWSL.“

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 on tohttp://www.enysoccer.com/, which receives nearly 300,000 hits annually from the growing soccer community.

By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
 
December 20, 2016-Although some soccer fans might question if refs have 20/20 vision, 20 referees who particularly made a difference on the soccer fields of the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) and Eastern New York State Adult Soccer Association were honored for their contributions to the sport at holiday parties on Thursday night, December 15.

The New York Soccer Referee Association (NYSRA), founded in 1938, held its party at the VFW Hall in Franklin Square. Alex Focea received the Golden Whistle Award for excellence in officiating, Amro Aly was honored as Referee of the Year, Secretary Kambiz Riazi was tabbed for the Recognition Award and Brendan Mullarkey was given the Service Award for his 33 years as a NYSRA official.

At the New York party from left to right: Ref Konstantin Veltchev, Golden Whistle recipient Alex Focea and NYSRA President Vito Rizzi. At the Long Island party from left to right: LISRA President Cathy Caldwell and Silver Whistle Award recipient Jose Aparicio.

Even more awards were handed out at the holiday party at Dix Hills' James Allen School for the Long Island Soccer Referees Association (LISRA), formed in 1971. Jose Aparicio was given the Silver Whistle Award for excellence in officiating and there was a tie in determining the Referee of the Year so, for the first time ever, two members––Efi Domb and Satwinder Hundal––were honored with this prestigious award.

Eugene Gallucci and Larry Pisaryuk were given the Service Award for their 25 years as LISRA members and Recording Secretary Michael Marks received it for his many years of service as he is retiring to Florida and will be missed.

There are 850 assistant referees in LISRA needed to cover the nearly 1,000 Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) games every weekend and several in particular stood out. The Mario Boltri Assistant Referee of the Year Award went to Adira Brown-DeVirgilio and Sean Lyons while John Asam, Brandon Brockner, Christian Menjivar, Saleh Rabie, Victoria Santorelli and Shelby Spano were honored for being top assistant refs as well.

The Emrys Joseph Rookie Referee of the Year Award went to Glynn Hargraves, who like the award’s namesake is a native of the United Kingdom, and the Rising Star Award was given to Richard Flory.

LISRA Assigning Chairperson Nicolas Apostolides was in the holiday spirit as he stated, “I am asked to cover thousands of games every season and it is not me who is making this possible but it’s because of you, the many refs who go above and beyond every weekend.“

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.

By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association

March 22, 2016-The Dix Hills Hurricanes recently achieved what the New York Mets did last fall, winning a division in the National League. But the reference regarding Dix Hills is to the National League organized by US Youth Soccer.

Playing the best teams in youth soccer from across the country, Dix Hills had a 5-1-1 record, scoring 12 goals and conceding four while earning first place in the Boys-Under-16 Red Division on March 13. Dix Hills, playing out of the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) and Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL), defeated the two teams in the division who are part of Major League Soccer clubs, shutting out the LA Galaxy South Bay Gold, 1-0, on December 13 in North Carolina and topping the Chicago Fire Academy, 2-1, on December 29 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Kissimmee, Florida. The seven division games are scheduled at soccer complexes across the United States, with National League matches in different age groups being played on one weekend so college coaches can easily scout the competition.

“The Hurricane players and their parents understand that winning shouldn't be the first priority of the players' development. We have created a nice group of players, respectful, unified and committed to training and working hard to become better each day,” commented Jose Luis Rebay, coaching the team since 2012.

“We also have parents willing to work for the team, do fundraising to help with the travel and tournament expenses,” Coach Rebay continued. “The economic cost for our families is considerable, when you add tournaments, league games, trips, hotels, meals, uniforms, coaches expenses and more.”

As division winners, Dix Hills automatically qualifies for the US Youth Soccer national championships from July 26 to 31 in Frisco, Texas. This summer, Dix Hills hopes to add the national championship to their trophy case which includes the past two State Open Cup titles and going undefeated in the Region 1 Champions League last year.
 
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 Special Children. 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 tohttp://www.enysoccer.com/, which receives nearly 300,000 hits annually from the growing soccer community.