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Youth Soccer Should Be Fun For Everyone!

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

May 16, 2023-I’ve been involved with sports my entire life and quickly realized as a kid that only one team can win the game but both teams should be having fun. This was just as true today as when I was a boy in the 1960’s. With soccer, I was a player, briefly a coach, a referee, administrator and sometimes a spectator.

Yet this is not as apparent to some of the adults in youth sports who place winning and perhaps that elusive college scholarship above fun and fundamentals. And that’s why so many of the players in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) quit the sport as they find better things to do than being yelled at by their parents and/or coaches.

After all, if your son or daughter was a musician and hit a wrong note during a recital, you would not yell at the child. And if you did, that would be embarrassing. Then why is the constant yelling that I hear from the touchlines while refereeing youth soccer games not embarrassing behavior? And the constant instruction should stop as well as let the kids make their own decisions and learn from their mistakes.

Additionally, we have many talented local players who play very tight the more important the game is and struggle to put a few passes together. Because they have been constantly told how important the match is. After two highly-ranked teams both played a relatively poor match on a weekday night, I heard a coach say to his players, “We have two important games this weekend with six points up for grabs.”

Instead of emphasizing winning, throw the balls on the field and let the kids have fun. The kids will play much better and the games will be fun for everyone––players, coaches, refs and spectators––when that is the goal instead of winning.

Many coaches do this and one who stands out in particular had his team playing in the Long Island Futsal League last winter to prepare for the Spring Season. They knew that they’d often be overmatched and they were but opposing teams kept the scores from becoming a rout by switching their players’ positions. The overmatched team also struggled at times to put a few passes together but not because they were tight as they were having a lot of fun. When the season concluded, their cheering parents took a team photo in front of a net. I think that squad is going to be around for years to come.

Lake Grove United Shut Out Manhattan Ajax, 1-0, to Win the Boys-Under-18 State Open Cup

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

June 5, 2013-A penalty kick goal by Anthony Passiatore in the first half was all the scoring that Lake Grove United of the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) needed as they won the Boys-Under-18 State Open Cup. Their win over the Westchester Youth Soccer League’s Manhattan Ajax, 1-0, took place at Stringham Park in LaGrange on June 2.

"We dominated the first half and I thought we should have been up by a few goals," commented Lake Grove coach Tim Graham. "But Manhattan came back as they are a class team that never died."

Coach Graham added, "The last 15 to 20 minutes, Manhattan was in control of the game. But we hung on for the win."

Lake Grove will represent the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) at the Regionals from June 28 to July 2 at the University of Rhode Island. Eastern New York is donating $2,000 to the team and paying all expense fees for the Regionals.

Manhattan received the Howard Rubenstein Sportsmanship Award. Now living in Ohio, 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 Long Island Junior Soccer League.

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 12 leagues throughout the association, which covers the entire state of New York east of Route 81. Eastern New York 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. Eastern New York 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.

Profiles of all the State Open Cup champions

Congratulations to all our State Open Cup champions. Click on the link for a profile of each team: State_Open_Cup_for_Web

BU12 New York Stars Premier Gravity

BU13 SUSA B06

BU14 SUSA B05

BU15 SUSA B04

BU16 Lake Grove/Newfield Dynamite

BU17 Levittown Gunners 2002

BU18 Lake Grove/Newfield United 2001

BU19 Downtown United Blue

GU12 Clarkstown Elite Samimi

GU13 Alleycats Academy Red

GU14 Coliseum Inferno

GU15 Lake Grove/Newfield United

GU16 Alleycats 2003G

GU17 Alleycats 2002G

GU18 Black Watch Premier Girls 2001

GU19 Brentwood Blaze

Tryouts: Learning and Keeping a Perspective

By Tim Bradbury, Director of Coaching, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association

It is an unfortunate and tragic truth that tryout season causes so much stress and heartache for players. I work hard to try and alleviate the stress and, much to my dismay, often struggle to keep all calm.

The situation is not aided by having players far too young playing travel soccer and in truth having players who would be better served playing 3v3 and 4v4 than 7v7 or 9v9 that hinders their development.

Perhaps a few Club Directors reading this can send some time looking at the Belgium Soccer Association approach.

As most clubs and leagues are in a desperate rush to larger games, competitive league play and by default, tryouts, I offer the following advice.

Philosophically

Three Longtime Volunteers Inducted into the Long Island Junior Soccer League Hall of Fame

LIJSL_Hall_of_Famers_for_Web

LIJSL photo of the new Hall of Famers. From left to right, Joe Camarda, Theresa Dawes and Bessie Lamonica, all with LIJSL President Anthony Maresco.

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

March 15, 2018-On Friday night, March 9, during the 36th Annual Long Island Junior Soccer League Convention, three longtime volunteers who have made a huge difference on Long Island’s soccer fields––Joe Camarda, Theresa Dawes and Bessie Lamonica––were inducted into the LIJSL Hall of Fame. The LIJSL Hall of Fame now has 109 members.

Joe Camarda grew up playing in the LIJSL and is the President of the Rocky Point Soccer Club. He’s also its founder, having created it in 2007. In those early days, Joe was also the registrar, trainer plus field supervisor and coordinator. The club started with 15 intramural players and joined the LIJSL in 2010. Joe was instrumental in developing the relationships to help grow the club. Today, Rocky Point boasts 19 travel teams and 600 registered players. Yet despite this success, Joe can still be found on the field coaching, lining fields or working with the Rocky Point School District regarding field permits. Additionally, Joe coached the St. Anthony’s High School JV, LIU Post as an assistant coach and is currently the boys varsity coach at Rocky Point High School.

Joe stated in his acceptance speech, “The LIJSL has been a part of my life for the past 40 years. Joan Czach (the LIJSL Executive Director) was my coach and mentor in the LIJSL and she was like a second mother to me.”

Theresa Dawes began her soccer career when her son Michael, now 30, was just four years old and she registered him as an intramural player in the Terryville Soccer Club. She volunteered as Chairperson of Terryville’s Referees, Commissioner and Secretary on the Board of Directors and served as the club’s Treasurer for over a decade. After her second child, Francesca, was born, she began coaching her from the age of four all the way to Under-19. Theresa is still involved in the club as Special Events Planner, organizing the club picnic for over 15 years, and coordinates community service events such as serving lunch twice a year to the senior citizens of the community. On the league level, she has volunteered for over a decade on the Games Committee and Registration Committee plus serves on the Players’ Arbitration Board. Additionally, she has volunteered for the past eight years with the Long Island Cup and serves as Banquet Chairperson at the LIJSL Convention.

Bessie Lamonica might stand under 5 feet tall but she is a gentle giant in Long Island youth soccer. Her volunteering began way back in 1962 when her son Rudy started playing on Oceanside United’s very first team. Sadly, Rudy died from bone cancer in 1970. Despite this tragedy regarding their only son, Bessie and husband Phil Lamonica founded Oceanside United’s girls program two years later in 1972. Just as Rudy played on the first boys team, their daughter Donna played on the first girls team a decade later, with Phil and Bessie serving as the team’s coaches. Bessie has been volunteering at the oldest youth soccer indoor tournament since its inception in 1968, which was named the Rudy Lamonica Indoor Tournament after her son’s passing. Bessie handed out trophies at the tourney on January 27 and 28. Additionally, she was in charge of the tournament journal and Oceanside United’s team sponsorship program for decades. She and Phil were inducted into the Eastern New York Hall of Fame in 2001 before his passing a decade ago and she was honored as Personality of the Month in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) last June.

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.

Congratulations to Eastern New York’s 7 Awards Recipients

These seven award recipients were nominated by people in their club or league. All seven will be formally honored at the Eastern New York Holiday Party on December 4 at Marina del Rey in the Bronx.

Staten Island Youth Soccer League Teenagers Receive Scholarships During Senior Night

Senior_Night_Award_Nominees_for_Web

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

June 23, 2014-Even a heavy downpour could not keep over 300 eighth grade boys and girls of the Staten Island Youth Soccer League (SIYSL) from celebrating their Senior Night on June 3 at the brand-new Owl Hollow Fields. The boys and girls from the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association’s (ENYYSA) southernmost league played in separate sessions with each teen being placed on one of eight teams, grouped by the high school they will attend this fall. Every team played three 25-minute games, were treated to pizza and drinks plus given a sweatshirt with the name and school colors of the high school they will attend.

“Tonight's event was another tremendous success for our league,” stated SIYSL President Bill Smith. “All our players had a great time and it is amazing how many parents approach us, saying how this is such a nice thing for our kids, and they had no idea that the league does this every year.”

Senior Night Chairperson Fred Cipriani added, “This is my second year heading up this event, and I am thrilled with how much the kids enjoy this event and how much support and dedication we get from our directors, coaches, the high school community and, of course, our volunteer committee of Maureen Motley, Colleen Costagliola and Mike Segretto.”

In-between the girls session and the boys session, all of the players and their families gathered on one field and Scholarship Committee Chair and League Secretary Keri Mullen read the names of the nominees from each club and the scholarship recipients. Every nominee received a framed certificate recognizing their nominations which were based on soccer experience, academic achievement and community service.

“I would like to thank the directors for submitting all these fine candidates. It was a very difficult process as they were all so deserving,” Ms. Mullen stated "We, as a committee, are amazed at the qualifications the candidates have year after year. I thank the committee of Lizz Morano, John Moschella, Kristine Seibel and Maureen Motley for their dedication and hard work.”

Scholarship recipients

Boys
1st Place: Christopher Mazza (St. John Neumann)
2nd Place: Timothy Brereton (St. Joseph Hill Academy)

Girls
1st Place: Allison DiPaolo (Our Lady Star of the Sea)
2nd Place (tie): Maria DiNicola (Petrides)
2nd Place (tie): Sophia Marolla (Our Lady Help of Christians)

Boys Nominees
Timothy Brereton (St. Joseph Hill Academy)
Patrick Byrnes (Our Lady Help of Christians)
Thomas DiMartinis (Petrides)
Michael Hotaling (Great Kills)
Raymond Maglione (Richmondtown)
Christopher Mazza (St. John Neumann)
Jack McGovern (St. Charles)
Robert Sorrentino (Our Lady Star of the Sea)

Girls Nominees
Alexa Albanese (St. Charles)
Kerry Byrnes (Our Lady Queen of Peace)
Kelly Connelly (Great Kills)
Giavanna Corazza (St. Joseph Hill Academy)
Katie Curtis (Notre Dame Academy)
Emma DeCarlo (Our Lady of Good Counsel)
Maria DiNicola (Petrides)
Allison DiPaolo (Our Lady Star of the Sea)
Anna Giubileo (St. John Neumann)
Megan Gorman (Blessed Sacrament)
Francesca Lupari (Sacred Heart)
Sophia Marolla (Our Lady Help of Christians)
Megan Taylor (Academy of St. Dorothy)

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.

Good Time Had By All at Inaugural Jack Hynes Classic Soccer Tournament

Tournament photos courtesy of Colleen Costigliola. From left to right: Under-11 champs St. Joseph/St. Thomas and tournament action

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

April 26, 2018-The Staten Island Youth Soccer League (SIYSL), the southernmost league in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA), would like to thank the 14 teams in two age groups who participated in the First Annual Jack Hynes Classic Soccer Tournament on Saturday, April 14. Over 200 youth players participated in the small-sided tourney on the turf field at Monsignor Farrell High School, with all proceeds going to the Jack Hynes Memorial Scholarship Fund. The scholarship is awarded to a deserving young man who demonstrates the determination and spirit exemplified by Hynes throughout his life and will be applied to the student’s tuition after he enrolls at Farrell. The scholarship application states:

The Jack Hynes Memorial Scholarship has been established to honor the memory of Jack Hynes, who passed away in 2013. Jack is an inspiring example of a young man who overcame tremendous obstacles to achieve his goals. From his humble beginnings as a boy in Scotland, he showed promise as a soccer player. After immigrating to America, he starred at Curtis High School and embarked on a 22-year professional soccer career that saw him playing against some of the top teams in the world including Liverpool, Manchester United and Inter Milan. On Christmas Day 1944, while serving with the US Army in the Battle of the Bulge, Hynes was wounded in both legs by an exploding German artillery shell. After countless surgeries to repair the damage, Jack resurrected his soccer career and in 1949 starred for the US National Team in the qualifying games for the 1950 World Cup. His remarkable story and accomplishments were recognized in 1977 when he was inducted into the US Soccer Hall of Fame. Jack Hynes was the first head coach of the Monsignor Farrell soccer team and held that position for 18 years, creating a dynasty second to none.

Jack_Hynes_photos_for_Web2

Under-13 champs Petrides

In the tourney’s Under-11 championship game, St. Joseph/St. Thomas edged Our Lady of Good Counsel, 2-1, and Petrides shut out Richmondtown, 4-0, in the Under-13 title game.

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

Former ODP Player Crystal Dunn Receives the MAC Hermann Trophy

Soccer icon Mia Hamm on the left along with men’s Hermann Trophy Award recipient Patrick Mullins of the University of Maryland and Crystal Dunn

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

January 12, 2013-The best player in all of women’s college soccer is Crystal-clear as Crystal Dunn received the MAC Hermann Trophy, soccer’s version of the Heisman Trophy, on January 11 at the Missouri Athletic Club in St. Louis. The first runner-up was Penn State senior midfielder Christine Nairn followed by Virginia senior midfielder Caroline Miller. The winners were decided by a vote of NCAA Division 1 soccer coaches whose programs are current members of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA), along with a fan vote that cumulatively counted as the equivalent of one coach’s vote.

Crystal developed her wonderful skills with the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) Olympic Development Program, playing ODP for six years, and used it as a springboard to represent the USA internationally. She also spent her formative years in the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL), the largest league in ENYYSA, as she played for the Rockville Centre Power, Rockville Centre Tornadoes and Albertson Fury ‘91.

Crystal, a University of North Carolina junior midfielder, became the fifth Tar Heel player to win in the award, following Cat Reddick (2003), Cindy Parlow (1997, 1998), Tisha Venturini (1994), Mia Hamm (1992, 1993) and Kristine Lilly (1991). The seven MAC Hermann Trophies for the North Carolina women are the most by any school.

"This is an amazing honor," Crystal said at the Missouri Athletic Club. "I feel honored. I would like to thank my family. They have supported me."

Crystal was a key member of the 2012 U.S. National Team that captured the Under-20 World Cup in Japan in September. She assisted on fellow Tar Heel Kealia Ohai’s goal, the only goal in the Under-20 Women’s World Cup final, in the 1-0 victory over Germany. She missed the non-conference portion of the Tar Heels’ schedule, but after she re-joined the lineup, her experience and versatility made an immediate impact. She started at central defender for the first 11 games before being moved to the central midfield for the Tar Heels’ six-game NCAA Tournament run.

The Rockville Centre resident played a key role in helping North Carolina capture its 22nd national championship as she assisted on goals in both College Cup games. The three-year starter earned NSCAA First Team All-America honors. Crystal was named the Soccer America Freshman of the Year in 2010 and is the only player in ACC history to earn Defensive Player of the Year honors twice which included this past season.

It was a wonderful week for Crystal as she was named the recipient of the Soccer News Net Women’s College Boot, recognizing the National Player of the Year, on January 9. That award is based on fan balloting and on voting by the staff of the seven Soccer News net websites: BigAppleSoccer.com, ChicagolandSoccerNews.com, DallasSoccerNews.com, DCSoccerNews.com, LASoccerNews.com, NewEnglandSoccerNews.com and PhillySoccerNews.com.

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 12 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.

Assumption College Men’s Head Coach DJ Corrao Named Eastern New York’s Personality of the Month

DJ_Corrao_for_Web

DJ playing for the LIJSL Select Program as a boy and, in the inset, pictured today.

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

September 3, 2014-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is kicking off a Personality of the Month to honor our members who have distinguished themselves on and off the soccer field. Our honoree for September is Don (DJ) Corrao, who on July 7 was named as the new head coach of the Assumption College men's soccer program in Worcester, Massachusetts. The Division 2 Greyhounds finished 5-8-2 last year. At the age of 25, DJ is one of the youngest college head coaches in any sport in the United States.

"It's really special to have this opportunity at Assumption College and I look forward to leading a great group of young men," DJ commented.

"I would like to welcome Don to Assumption College as our men's soccer head coach," said Director of Athletics and Recreation Nick Smith. "I am impressed by his knowledge and passion for the game and I think he will do a great job to build on the foundation that we have in our program. Our goals are to excel on the field, in the classroom and in the community and I am excited about the future of our men's soccer program."

DJ grew up playing in the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL). The Commack resident started playing in the Commack Soccer Club, then competed for the Huntington Boys Club Arsenal.

DJ also played three summers with the LIJSL Select Program. "Those were great opportunities to play with new teammates and really start to develop as a player," he stated.

School-wise, DJ competed for the Friars of St. Anthony's High School and the Fordham Rams.

After graduating from Fordham, DJ started coaching in the LIJSL's Garden City Centennials Soccer Club. He then coached LIJSL teams for Storm Academy under the tutelage of David Price. "For me, the time that I spent there helped me to really understand what it takes to be a coach."

Continuing to advance, DJ then became the Director of Soccer for the LIJSL's Village of the Branch Soccer Club in 2012 at the age of 23.

DJ was also the member of the staff at two Long Island colleges. He served as the Director of Operations for the men's soccer program at Adelphi University for the 2010 and 2011 seasons as the Panthers advanced to the 2011 Atlantic Soccer Conference championship game.

He also worked as an assistant coach for Molloy College in 2012 and '13. He played a key role in community relations and fundraising for the program and was responsible for all aspects of recruiting, training and academic planning for the student/athletes, which prepared him for taking over the program at Assumption.

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 12 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.

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