Human Interest

Alex Gunera Honored as the Eastern New York Boys Competitive Coach of the Year

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

January 30, 2026-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is very pleased to announce that Alex Gunera of the Newburgh Puma FC Falcons has been honored as our 2025 Boys Competitive Coach of the Year. The ceremony took place at our Hall of Fame Banquet on Saturday, January 24 at Marina del Rey in the Bronx.

From left to right: US Youth Soccer Chairperson Tina Rincon, Alex Gunera, ENYYSA 2nd Vice President Bill Smith

Team manager Jessica Cardoso wrote, “Coach Gunera exemplifies everything a great coach should be as he is passionate, knowledgeable, dedicated and truly invested in the development of his players both on and off the field. Under his leadership, the team has not only achieved remarkable success in competitions but has also grown significantly in terms of discipline, teamwork and sportsmanship…

Players always come to Coach Gunera for advice, whether it be for improvement or just for their personal issues. He always has an open ear. Even parents ask Coach Gunera to speak to kids if they are misbehaving. The relationship between Coach Gunera, players and parents is just remarkable!”

Team parents Jose and Lisa Cardoso wrote, “Our son had little understanding of the sport and the importance of each player’s role but knew this was something he wanted to learn and grow into. Coach Alex accepted him on the team with this understanding and worked with him endlessly until he grasped the concept of soccer. He is extremely patient with not only our son but all players on his team.”

In the past 12 years of coaching, Coach Alex led the Condors and Revolution to first place in their division. With the Falcons, he has taken them from Division 3 to Division 1 in two years.

Alex was also honored as the 2025 Hudson Valley Youth Soccer League (HVYSL) Boys Competitive Coach of the Year on November 8, 2025.

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, east of Route 81. ENYYSA encourages 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 US Soccer and US Youth Soccer. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/

Dusanka Marusic Inducted Into the Eastern New York Soccer Hall of Fame

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

January 27, 2026-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is proud to announce that longtime volunteer Dusanka Marusic was inducted into the Eastern New York Soccer Hall of Fame at our Hall of Fame Banquet on January 24 at Marina del Rey in the Bronx.

From left to right: US Youth Soccer Chairperson Tina Rincon, ENYYSA Hall of Fame Chairperson Ken Gulmi, Dusanka Marusic, ENYYSA 2nd Vice President Bill Smith

For over four decades, Dusanka has been a driving force in youth soccer. She began as a player for the West Hempstead Flames of the Long Island Ladies Soccer League (LILSL), serving for over a decade on the league’s Board of Directors.

Dusanka coached for over two decades with the Hewlett-Lawrence Soccer Club and Valley Stream Soccer Club of the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) plus New York Croatia of the Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League (CJSL). In the early 1990’s, she recognized the need for CJSL teams to have more competitive matches so she proposed that CJSL squads be allowed to play as guest teams, a groundbreaking idea at the time, in the LIJSL. It eventually was approved and elevated player development, stabilized clubs and supported long-term growth.

Dusanka also launched the Leonard D’Orazio College Showcase, which became a pathway for players to be seen by college coaches, plus she started new initiatives for female players in the CJSL. She represented the CJSL and later the LIJSL at ENYYSA meetings plus also served on the Long Beach Soccer Club Board of Directors.

For this lifetime of soccer, the Cuddebackville resident was inducted into the CJSL Hall of Fame in 2023 and now, the Eastern New York Hall of Fame. Congratulations to Dusanka!

Tony Padmore Inducted Into the Eastern New York Soccer Hall of Fame

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

January 28, 2026-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is very pleased to announce that Tony Padmore has been inducted into the Eastern New York Soccer Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony took place at our Hall of Fame Banquet on Saturday, January 24 at Marina del Rey in the Bronx.

From left to right: ENYYSA Hall of Fame Chairperson Ken Gulmi, Tony Padmore, US Youth Soccer Chairperson Tina Rincon, ENYYSA 2nd Vice President Bill Smith

Tony grew up in Trinidad and Tobago and after emigrating to New York in 1970, he started playing soccer in a league in Prospect Park. In 1986, he began coaching his children, Rhonda and Michael, in the Staten Island Youth Soccer League (SIYSL) when they took up soccer. From 1986 through 1996, Tony coached intramural teams at St. Rita’s. In 1994, when the club needed a new Director, Tony stepped up and ran the club for two years while also coaching.

In 1990, Tony also started coaching at Staten Island United, doing so for the next 14 years, plus serving as club Secretary in 1998 and 1999.

While this is all very impressive, Tony is best known today as a referee, which he has done with a passion for over three decades. He was President of the Staten Island Soccer Referees Association (SISRA) from 2003 to 2005, then has been the SIYSL assignor for the past two decades. He was inducted into the SIYSL Hall of Fame back in 2012.

Ann Marie Toth Inducted Into the Eastern New York Soccer Hall of Fame

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

January 29, 2026-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is very pleased to announce that longtime volunteer Ann Marie Toth has been inducted into the Eastern New York Soccer Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony took place at our Hall of Fame Banquet on Saturday, January 24 at Marina del Rey in the Bronx.

Ann Marie has been Chairperson of the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) TOPSoccer program since 1979. She has also been TOPSoccer Chairperson for her club, the Plainview/Old Bethpage Soccer Club, since 1979 as well. That’s an amazing 47 years that she has been in charge of TOPSoccer, The Outreach Program for Soccer for children and adults with intellectual, emotional or physical challenges, all under the US Youth Soccer umbrella.

Under Ann Marie’s leadership, TOPSoccer has grown to 28 LIJSL clubs having programs and she is just as enthusiastic and at the fields every Saturday during the Spring and Fall Seasons today, even though she is now in her late 80’s. For all this volunteering, she was inducted into the LIJSL Hall of Fame back in 2005.

Ann Marie stated in her brief induction speech, “With a little patience and empathy, you can accomplish anything!”

Additionally, she was a member of the LIJSL’s well-respected Sportsmanship Committee and attended their very first meeting in 1980, served as a Plainview/Old Bethpage Soccer Club Trustee and was on the committee of the LIJSL Convention, which will be coming back this winter after being discontinued in 2020 because of Covid.

From left to right: ENYYSA Treasurer Andrew Seabury, Ann Marie Toth, Ann Marie’s husband and biggest supporter Kalman Toth, ENYYSA Registrar Mike D’Ambrosio

Ed Kobos Receives Lifetime Membership From the Mohawk Valley Soccer Referee Association

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

January 22, 2026-Congratulations to Ed Kobos, who was honored with Life Membership from the Mohawk Valley Soccer Referee Association (MVSRA) toward the end of last year. Lifetime Membership is the equivalent of the Lifetime Achievement Award.

“Ed founded MVSRA back in 2001 and has had a long and distinguished career of officiating plus serving soccer in the Mohawk Valley,” explained MVSRA President Christopher “Kit” Hutchinson.

Ed started officiating soccer with the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) in 1986 and as a high school ref in 1988 and moved quickly up the ladder, officiating the Section 3 Class D boys championship at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse and the high school state finals in Oneonta.

In 1996, Ed started to become very involved with the Oneonta Soccer Referees Association (OSRA) and refereed tournament games there at the National Hall of Fame Fields as the US Soccer Hall of Fame was in Oneonta at the time. In 2001, State Referee Administrator (SRA) Jose Vargas suggested that Utica should have its own ref organization, so Ed plus Art Durando founded MVSRA.

“For the first two years, we utilized instructors from Albany and Oneonta to teach our classes,” Ed explained.

The New Hartford resifdent served as MVSRA President from its founding in 2001 to 2018, an amazing 18 years in charge! Ed continued to move up the ladder and became a Regional Referee, Instructor and Assessor all under the US Soccer banner. He refereed and assessed Regionals as well as refereeing adult matches plus the Central New York State Soccer League (CNYSSL) and Capital District Youth Soccer League (CDYSL) in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA).

Additionally, Ed refereed Empire State Games played in Binghamton, Buffalo and Utica plus college matches.

In 2018, he was selected to be the Referee Liaison and assignor for Utica City Football Club of the Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) and did so well that he added United Elite Krajisnik FC when they joined MASL-2 in 2023. Ed also serves as scorekeeper and timekeeper for MASL games at the Adirondack Bank Center.

Ed’s hip has been acting up and he is not as active as in the past but as his plaque suggests, he has KTBR (Kept The Business Running) in making sure that every game was officiated by a qualified referee for the past four decades.

Thinking about joining Ed and thousands of other soccer refs on the field? Eastern New York is seeking new referees to be in the middle and/or on the line as assistant referees in youth soccer games. The minimum age is 14 years old to become certified. You manage your availability so officiating works with all the rest that you do!

For more information, log on to https://enysreferee.org/how-to-become-a-referee/. If you have any questions, e-mail questions@enysreferee.org

Max Watson is the New CJSL President

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

January 20, 2026-The Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League (CJSL), founded in 1933 and the oldest league in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) and all of American youth soccer, has announced the appointment of Max Watson as CJSL President. Max served as First Vice President under CJSL President Paul Kontonis, who passed suddenly on November 24.

Max explained, “I was originally a DUSC kid and played my entire youth career with the Downtown United Soccer Club in the CJSL from Under-10 to Under-19.”

Max used his development in the CJSL to be recruited to play soccer at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and helped lead the Diplomats to the Division 3 Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight from his central midfield position.

Upon graduation, he had a 7-year stint in Virginia, as an assistant coach for the men’s team at the University of Mary Washington, then men’s assistant and later head coach at the Virginia Military Institute (VMI), Director of the Stafford Soccer Club and in the youth scouting department for DC United. During his time in Virginia, Max was selected for the United Soccer Coaches 30 Under-30 program to support up-and-coming coaches.

Photo courtesy of the University of Mount Saint Vincent

“But New York City is my home and I moved back in July 2023 after being appointed men’s head coach at New York Maritime as well as a coach and administrator at DUSC,” Max stated.

The Chelsea resident arrived at Astoria Park in Queens one night to evaluate a potential recruit for his college team.

“I met that player’s coach, Paul Kontonis, that evening for the first time. A professional, personal and mentorship relationship flourished from that point and a year later, I became Paul’s First Vice President in the CJSL.”

Besides now being CJSL President, Max is the head men’s soccer coach and Assistant Athletic Director for the University of Mount Saint Vincent in the Bronx, the Assistant Director of Coaching at DUSC and pursuing his “A” coaching license.

“All of my goals as CJSL President will honor and enact many of the high-level initiatives that our past president and friend was championing,” Max said. “Continue the rapid growth of our league throughout New York City, primarily via supporting the structural growth, coach education, player pathway opportunities and resources for all of our member clubs. We will remain uniquely New York City and stay true to our roots while being sure to swiftly progress, modernize and remain current in a quickly developing soccer landscape. The needs are always changing and we will be sure to also grow at the CJSL to meet these needs for youth players but also for coaches, parents, administrators and referees.”

LIJSL Academy Wins the Girls-Under-15 National Championship

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

December 29, 2025-Congratulations to the LIJSL Academy, which has won the Girls-Under-15 USL Youth League national championship. Made up of players from the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL), the largest league in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA), the squad won three games and tied one in Tampa earlier this month.

LIJSL Academy qualified for Nationals by virtue of having the best record in the North Atlantic Division last summer with 6 wins, 0 losses and 2 ties, scoring 28 goals and conceding just 3.

Top row, left to right: Adriana Kletzkin, Aubrey Schneider, Juliana Koppelmann, Lucy Palmeri, Madison Caglioti, Giuliana Portaro, Lily O’Connor, Emily Belpanno, Kylie Tannus, Coach Salma Tarik
Bottom row, left to right: Emily Landa, Braelin Fernandes, Makayla Friedrich, Ava Manfredi, Izzy Hercules. Camera shy: Abigail Smith

The Girls-Under-15 Nationals was round-robin play with four games to determine the national champion. On December 11, LIJSL Academy scored in the dying seconds of the first match on a goal by two players named Emily as Emily Landa scored with Emily Belpanno providing the assist to tie Maryland United, 1-1.

The next day, LIJSL Academy defeated Michigan DBSS, 5-1. Coach Salma Tarik commented, “We were flying on all cylinders as this game was hands-down the best match I have seen this team play in a year-and-a-half as our style of play, attitude, effort, desire and mentality all came together.”

On December 13, LIJSL Academy played another team from Michigan, the Portage Soccer Club, topping them 2-1. Coach Tarik explained, “I would say this was our hardest game. Their attacking line was something we didn’t face yet in the tournament and they were very athletic and physical. Our goalkeeper, Makayla Friedrich, made the best save of the tournament in stopping a breakaway.”

Led by tournament MVP Ava Manfredi, LIJSL Academy secured the national championship with a 4-0 victory over Ironbound from Newark, New Jersey on December 15.

“Resilience, grit, motivation, hard work and confidence led us to the national title. We knew what we were there to do and having missed out on attending last year, we wanted to make a statement and do something this club has never done which was win a national championship,” Coach Tarik continued. “I told this group over and over, you believe in what you can do against any opponent and this is the best team I have ever coached and it is our time to make a statement, and we did just that!”

Top 10 Reasons Why Over 100,000 Kids Play Soccer in Eastern New York

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

January 2, 2026-Over 100,000 children and teenagers, from the East End of Long Island to the Canadian border, play soccer in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA). Although some have gone on to play professional soccer plus in the World Cup and Olympics, all have learned the value of teamwork, perseverance, sportsmanship and getting along with others through the life lessons they have learned on our soccer fields. Here are the Top 10 Reasons why we have so many players:

1. State Cup. Eastern New York has two levels of the State Cup––the US Youth Soccer ENYYSA Championship and the Challenge Cup––so every premier and travel team in Eastern New York has a chance to win a state championship. Both competitions do try to schedule games against local opponents as much as possible for this springtime competition.

Tyler Adams (in white toward back row) won a State Cup with the Town of Poughkeepsie Soccer Club (TOPSC) over a decade ago and now plays in the English Premier League. He currently has 52 caps with the US Men’s National Team plus he captained the red, white and blue during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Tyler returned to the Hudson Valley last summer for the dedication of his childhood soccer field, Martz Field in Wappinger, as it became the Tyler Adams Soccer Pitch.

2. National Championship. For ambitious teams looking to play against top competition and possibly win a national championship, they can do it through the US Youth Soccer ENYYSA Championship as it’s part of the National Championship Series. Teams that win the state championship qualify automatically for the top tier of Nationals as there are no more Regionals.

Crystal Dunn in the gray dress surrounded by her adoring fans.

3. Olympic Development Program. ODP is considered the highest level of competition in each state association. Every year, players must be re-evaluated by the ODP professional staff of coaches for a position on each age-specific team. The identification process ends each summer with the most elite players within the East Region competing for a position on the regional team and for possible entry to the national team program. Yet even those players who do not make the regional or the national teams often use ODP as a springboard to college scholarships and even on to professional soccer. Current US Women’s National Team players Sam Coffey, Crystal Dunn, Claire Hutton and Phallon Tullis-Joyce played in Eastern New York ODP as teenagers and Eastern New York ODP coaches John Fitzgerald and Sue Ryan are being honored with special awards by the United Soccer Coaches this month.

4. Futsal. Futsal is the only version of indoor soccer approved by FIFA, soccer’s world governing body. The surface, ball and rules together favor ball control in small spaces and futsal is increasingly cited in the discussion on how to improve player development, particularly in the winter months here in Eastern New York where outdoor fields can be frozen and unplayable. Both New York Futsal and the Long Island Futsal League, the latter celebrating its 30th anniversary this winter, play under the Eastern New York umbrella.

5. TOPSoccer. This is a wonderful program for Children With Special Needs. Special Children playing soccer in an organized league actually started in Eastern New York back in 1978 when the Huntington Boys Club (HBC) and Massapequa Soccer Club separately started programs in an era when Special Children playing sports is not as accepted as it is today. Craig Ludin, who has Down’s Syndrome and has been playing for HBC since he was a young boy, received so many medals in the Special Olympics that he was inducted into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame over a decade ago. Craig’s teammate John Cronin started a very successful local business, John’s Crazy Socks, with his father Mark. Volunteers are always needed for this great program and you do not know what happens until you begin. The Manhasset Soccer Club’s Owen McCormack was honored last year by US Youth Soccer as the National TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year.

6. Risk Management. To protect our players, Eastern New York conducts background checks on coaches and referees before they participate in our games. They must pass this background check every two years to continue to be involved in our competitions. Eastern New York also provides awareness education to coaches and referees, communicating information regarding field and player safety.

7. Coaching Education. Under the supervision of Eastern New York Director of Coaching Tim Bradbury, the coaching licensing curriculum provides all soccer coaches, from the beginner to the advanced, with up-to-date theoretical and practical knowledge so that Eastern New York coaches can help our players develop to their full potential. Coaches can earn state and national coaching credentials plus the courses offer valuable information and current coaching trends state-wide, nationally and internationally. All courses are available in both English and Spanish.

8. SAT and ACT Prep Courses. Eastern New York provides exclusive, free access to acclaimed SAT and ACT prep courses from eKnowledge, which is normally a $250 value. These courses can be taken online or via DVD, which makes them ideal for our busy student/athletes. Contact Siokbee Usaraga at siokbee@eknowledge.com

9. College Scholarships. Every summer, Eastern New York awards college scholarships to help defray the cost of college for deserving high school seniors. Five Eastern New York leagues––Capital District Youth Soccer League, Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League, Hudson Valley Youth Soccer League, Long Island Junior Soccer League and the Staten Island Youth Soccer League––all have separate scholarship programs as well.

10. Support of All Leagues, Players, Coaches and Refs. Eastern New York provides insurance for all its competitions, hosts referee certification and recertification, promotes member leagues and helps secure new fields.

A Time to Say “Thank You!”

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

I take great pride in leading players and teams in a holistic way. I’m fully aware that while many of them may never play professionally or in college, every one of them can become a great person who plays for life, coaches one day and grows into an active, responsible adult.

I make it a priority to learn about my players’ lives beyond the game: How they’re doing in school, how things are at home and what they enjoy or struggle with. Coaching teenagers especially means having regular conversations about how they help their families and whether they contribute positively to their home environment or stay wrapped up only in their own needs.

These conversations often begin with how they behave at practice. The challenge I present to every player is built around a few key questions:

• Can you be the player who most impacts a practice and helps create a great learning environment for everyone?

• Can you be the first one in?

• Can you be the most coachable player?

• Can you be the one who helps with equipment without being asked?

• Can you be the teammate who notices when someone is down and offers encouragement or comfort?

I work hard to help them understand that this mission—being a positive force in the group—should be their top priority. And if all 18 players embrace that mission, we will become a team capable of remarkable progress.

Another core value we consistently emphasize is respect: Respecting each other, respecting referees and respecting the parents who do so much to make training and games possible. One of the most meaningful parts of respect is simply saying, “Thank you.” I encourage players to thank teammates after practice and games, thank referees afterward and thank their parents on the ride home. I also challenge them to show appreciation by helping at home—doing one thing, however small, that supports their family.

At this time of year, it feels especially appropriate to revisit the power of saying thank you… perhaps with a few Jimmy Fallon–style thank-you notes. So, not just because it’s Christmas, Hanukkah and the holiday season, but because it’s the right thing to do, here are a few messages for the season:

Players: Thank your parents for the endless hours spent driving you to practices and games—and for trying not to shout instructions from the sidelines.

Parents: Thank your child’s coaches for their dedication to development, even if the team didn’t win quite as many games as you hoped and they haven’t yet realized your child is the next Messi.

Coaches: Thank club officials and administrators for their hard work, even when the biggest field space available barely fit a 3v3 and your practice slot was 9:00–10:30 p.m. on a Friday night.

Coaches: Thank referees for the courage it takes to show up week after week, knowing they’ll face a barrage of unnecessary commentary from adults who often haven’t kicked a ball in years, if ever.

Coaches: And thank those refs who forget to give the five-minute speech about substitution procedures, as though they’re announcing a groundbreaking discovery in renewable energy.

Coaches: Don’t forget to thank tournament organizers, especially the ones who remember we live in the Northeast, where winter arrives on schedule every year, and where “real feel” temperatures can turn your toes numb in the first five minutes of a match.

Players: And lastly, thank your parents who choose to blast loud Christmas music during the car ride home, sparing you the usual post-game performance review.

On a more somber note—and perhaps this reflects my age—there is also a need to say thank you for a few recently departed people. Especially for Paul Kontonis, who was the Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League (CJSL) President, and was a truly great person, full of joy and love. He had a tremendous impact on so many coaches and players and will be deeply missed.

Best wishes to everyone,

Tim

There is a College Soccer Team for YOU!

By Pat Grecco

Let’s compare playing soccer in college to gaining admission to a college/university based on academics and SAT/ACT scores. Not everyone will be accepted to an Ivy, yet there is a college program waiting for you. If you play within the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA), you definitely will have a place to play at the collegiate level, whether it be intercollegiate, club soccer or intramurals. I always tell the student-athletes I work with, “Pick the college that has the best academics for your particular major.”

Let’s look at the different levels of soccer:

National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). You might say these programs are the most competitive. Some of the challenges with these programs include international students and student-athletes transferring in from the transfer portal. Yes, even Division 3 programs in the NCAA are looking for highly-skilled players, especially in colleges that are academically very competitive, for example, Tufts University, Emory University and the University of Chicago. D1 and D2 offer athletic scholarships, D3 does not offer athletic scholarships but a strong student-athlete can be treated to a generous academic grant/scholarship.

National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). Of note within the NAIA, there are also different levels, some offer scholarships and some do not. NAIA programs are also seeking competitive players for their programs. Upon researching rosters at the NAIA colleges, I see an abundance of international players at many schools.

National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA): A smaller group which consists mostly of Christian learning-based college programs, less competitive perhaps than the above NCAA and NAIA programs but also with different levels. Yes, the NCCAA allows its Division 1 teams to offer athletic scholarships, though its Division 2 programs do not.

United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA): This group is made up of small colleges across the USA that offer a competitive athletic environment in a more intimate academic setting. Limited number of scholarships are offered by each college respectively. Of note, recently the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) and North American Conference for Intercollegiate Athletics (NACIA) announced the formation of the first formal USCAA Division 1 conference in the history of the association. Keep your eye on this conference, it’s growing stronger each season.

National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA): A good place to begin a college soccer career, but if you have aspirations of playing at the higher level, seek a two-year school that gets to post season often and has a solid soccer reputation. After two years of playing at a very competitive NJCAA program, you can enter the transfer portal and perhaps be recruited for NCAA or NAIA programs.

The teams at the bottom of NCAA Division 2, some Division 3 teams as well as some squads outside the NCAA, including junior colleges, struggle to attract enough players to their teams, especially on the women’s side. All premier or travel team players in Eastern New York should be able to see significant playing time with these programs.

I understand you love the game but perhaps you are not quite at the level for the more competitive college programs, but this particular college or university has what you want, so next step, consider playing club or intramural soccer at this institution. Club soccer plays against club teams from other colleges and most teams have tryouts.

Keep in mind that playing club soccer in college is most likely not a bridge to getting onto the Varsity the following year. There is usually a faculty member who is in charge of club and intramural sports at a college, but please understand that most of the club and intramural sport activity is student-run.

Some college club teams might be highly competitive, feeling almost like a varsity team, while others might be more relaxed. Club soccer is similar in level of play to Division 3 intercollegiate soccer but there is not much coaching involved so play is free and can resemble pick-up soccer. Intramurals are a level below club soccer. You’ll want to check in with the team culture and commitment level at your school and ensure it fits with your expectations and course schedule. Club and intramurals are less demanding of your time but a great way to make friendships and feel a part of the campus community.

Playing in Eastern New York has prepared you to play at the collegiate level and discuss where with your club or varsity coach. If interested in intercollegiate play, check the rosters, see where the coach is recruiting from, how many international student-athletes are on the roster, how many come into the program from transfer portal. Compare your soccer development with those on the roster, do you match up? Many programs are searching for players. Be diligent with your research but always keep in mind, academics come first! Yes, there is a place for everyone in Eastern New York to play college soccer.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Pat Grecco is an Eastern New York and Long Island Junior Soccer League Hall of Famer who is CEO of the College-Bound Athlete Scholarship Service. For more info and a free 30-minute consultation, log on to www.collegeboundathlete.com or contact Pat directly at 631-988-7746 or soccervol@aol.com

« Previous Page