Press Release

Courtney Foltz Receives the Jack Bauman Scholarship

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

July 22, 2026-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is very pleased to announce that Poughkeepsie resident Courtney Foltz is receiving a Jack Bauman Scholarship.

Courtney was Valedictorian, National Honor Society Member and an AP Scholar With Distinction at Arlington High School. She was team captain of the girls varsity soccer team, and the Admirals won three Sectional titles and made it to the State final while playing with the team. Additionally, she was team captain at Quickstrike FC and volunteered with numerous non-profits in Dutchess County, including teaching Bible study and playing on a Unified Bowling team.

In her essay, Courtney wrote that “Soccer has taught me leadership is not about being perfect, it is about showing up for people when things are hard. After tearing my ACL, I remember wondering if I would ever feel like myself on the field again. Coming back from that injury made every practice, bus ride, warm-up and game more meaningful. Soccer was no longer just a sport to me, it became something I had fought to keep…I have given my full heart to my school, my team and my community, and I will carry that same heart into college.”

The scholarship’s namesake, Jack Bauman, is considered the father of women’s soccer on Long Island. He was devoted to the Massapequa Soccer Club and Eastern New York. The scholarship is based on success in high school as well as community service.

We wish Courtney the best at Penn State this fall.

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/

Shiloh Dabkowski Receives the Masotto-Driscoll Scholarship

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

July 16, 2026-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is very pleased to announce that Shiloh Dabkowski is receiving the Masotto-Driscoll Scholarship.

The West Point resident was third in a class of 103 at James I. O’Neill High School, was a National Honor Society member and an AP Scholar With Distinction plus segved as sophomore and junior class presidents. Determined to make a difference, Shiloh volunteeered with numerous non-profits and received the Outstanding Youth Community Award from the Village of Highland Falls.

Shiloh played four years of varsity soccer at O’Neill High School as well as three years of varsity lacrosse for the Raiders, played in the Hudson Valley Youth Soccer League (HVYSL) and refereed local youth soccer games. She also received a HVYSL Scholarship.

In her essay, Shiloh wrote that “Growing up in a military family meant adapting to constant change and uncertainty. While those challenges often disrupted what little stability I had, they taught me resilience and perseverance. Rather than avoiding difficult tasks, I seek opportunities that challenge me to grow and deepen my love of learning.”

The scholarship’s namesakes, Patricia Louise Masotto and Brenda Driscoll, were best friends and top women’s soccer players from Massapequa, Long Island. Eastern New York set up a scholarship in their name after they were killed by a drunk driver in 1985. The scholarship is determined by success in high school as well as community service.

We wish Shiloh the best at Cornell University studying Operations Research, a field that combines mathematics and problem-solving to address real world challenges.

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/

Brody Deutsch Receives the Livio D’Arpino Scholarship

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

July 14, 2026-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is very pleased to announce that Brody Deutsch is receiving a Livio D’Arpino Scholarship.

Brody graduated from Islip High School in June with an Advanced Regents Diploma and was a member of the National Honor Society as well as the Honor Societies in English and Spanish. He was the team captain for the Islip High School boys varsity soccer team and played at a high level in ENYYSA for the Long Island Slammers, East Islip Soccer Club and Massapequa Soccer Club. Additionally, he ran winter track at Islip High and also used his soccer skills as placekicker for the varsity football team. The Islip resident is also a youth soccer referee.

Brody received a scholarship from the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) as well.

In his essay, Brody wrote that “One of the most meaningful experiences in my soccer journey has been volunteering as a coach and mentor with the Just For Kicks program at the East Islip Soccer Club, where I work with children who are autistic. It has felt incredibly rewarding watching the kids I help improve and have fun every time. Seeing their excitement and growth reminds me why I do it.”

The scholarship’s namesake, Livio D’Arpino, was a beloved Eastern New York Vice President who was seemingly involved in every level of local soccer before his untimely passing in 2002. He was so dedicated that Roman newspaper Il Messaggero recently wrote a lengthy article about him, 24 years after his death. The Livio D’Arpino Scholarship is based on success in high school as well as community service.

We wish Brody the best in studying Electrical Engineering at the University of Central Florida.

Abigail Gruner Receives the Masotto-Driscoll Scholarship

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

July 16, 2026-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is very pleased to announce that Rockville Centre’s Abigail Gruner is receiving the Masotto-Driscoll Scholarship.

The scholarship’s namesakes, Patricia Louise Masotto and Brenda Driscoll, were best friends and top women’s soccer players from Massapequa, Long Island. Eastern New York set up a scholarship in their name after they were killed by a drunk driver in 1985. The scholarship is determined by success in high school as well as community service.

Abby had a 105 weighted GPA at South Side High School and was the Salutatorian, a member of the National Honor Society as well as the Honor Societies in Art, Math, Science, Tri-M Music, World Language and Rho Kappa Social Studies. She plays the flute at an All-Star Level and received a scholarship from the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) as well..

She was the goalkeeper and team captain at both South Side High School and in the Rockville Centre Soccer Club. She volunteered for numerous local organizations, including the TOPSoccer Program for Children With Special Needs in the Rockville Centre Soccer Club. Abby also served as keeper for Eastern New York ODP and Regional ODP.

In her essay, she wrote, “From as far back as I can remember, I was in cleats, kicking around a ball that gradually grew as I did. I fell in and out of love with the sport, but becoming a goalkeeper helped me love it again. I love the freeing sensation of diving through the air, feeling like you are flying for just a second…I found my voice on the field, and that translated to finding confidence off of it. I have learned how to speak up not just for myself, but for those who are not heard, to lead through kindness, poise and hard work, and that creating a positive team culture is the best thing you can do to lead a team.”

We wish Abby the best at the University of Virginia.

Jake Vanga Receives the Livio D’Arpino Scholarship

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

July 15, 2026-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is very pleased to announce that Baldwin Place resident Jake Vanga is receiving a Livio D’Arpino Scholarship.

The scholarship’s namesake was a beloved Eastern New York Vice President who was seemingly involved in every level of local soccer before his untimely passing in 2002. He was so dedicated that Roman newspaper Il Messaggero recently wrote a lengthy article about him, 24 years after his death. The Livio D’Arpino award is based on success in high school as well as community service.

The ENYYSA Scholarship Committee was very impressed that Jake has committed himself to helping others, most notably in emergency response and public safety. He is a National and State Registered EMT, paid EMT plus EMS Lieutenant with the Mahopac Falls Volunteer Fire Department and Captain of the Putnam County Sheriff’s Cadets. Jake was honored as the 2026 Putnam County Youth Community Service Leader of the Year.

At Kennedy Catholic Preparatory School, he maintained a 4.0 GPA, was a member of the National Honor Society and was honored as the Academic Leader of the Year. Additionally, Jake was a Music Director (directing rehearsals) and pianist at the school.

On the soccer fields, Jake served as goalkeeper and team captain at the school, was both a player and coach at the Just Play Soccer Club and has been a certified referee for the past five years.

We wish Jake the best at Pace University this fall.

Good Vibes at the 3v3 Tourneys Across Eastern New York

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

June 30, 2026-Today’s press release is brought to us by the number three as the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) hosted 3v3 tourneys the past two weekends. The 3v3 Summer Soccer Series featured three players on each team without goalkeepers in a bubble from AirPitch USA that is 15 meters long (16.4 yards) and 10 meters wide (10.9 yards). The 15-minute games were fast-paced with many goals and each registered team played five games.

Eastern New York hosted over 200 total teams in tournaments on three islands––Governor’s Island, Long Island and Staten Island––plus in the Hudson Valley and Albany. Creative team names such as Cleats & Conquer, Goal Patrol, Let’s Do This!, Thunder Down Under and Vamos FC added to the fun.

The tournament environment was maximized by a DJ, music and replicas of the World Cup trophy. Games started with a 10-second countdown just as in the World Cup.

Champions of the five 3v3 tourneys can play for the 3v3 Summer Soccer Series State Championship on Saturday, July 25 at 12th Rock Sports in Middletown.

Photos courtesy of the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association and Long Island Junior Soccer League

Register For the Grassroots Coaching Courses Kicking Off This Week in Washingtonville

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

June 22, 2026-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is pleased to offer two Grassroots courses, both starting this week in Washingtonville. The Grassroots License Courses focus on the age-appropriate needs of players at the 11v11, 9v9, 7v7 and 4v4 levels.

Both courses are run by Eastern New York educators and candidates will learn more about:

• The basic needs of Grassroots players

• The basic structure of the game

• The basic structure of a training session

• The basic tasks of a Grassroots coach

Click here to register for the 9v9 course.

Click here to register for the 11v11 course.

Questions can be directed to Tim Bradbury, Eastern New York’s Director of Coaching.

Big Apple Youth Soccer League Distributes Thousands of World Cup Albums

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

June 19, 2026-The Big Apple Youth Soccer League (BAYSL), founded in 1997 to serve the growing Latino community in New York City, recently distributed 7,000 Panini 2026 World Cup sticker albums to players and their families at Flushing Meadows Park.

“Through my contacts, I received 8,000 sticker albums for free so I gave 1,000 albums to the Metrokids Youth Soccer League and we gave out the rest to everybody playing soccer at the park,” commented BAYSL President Carlos Vergara.

980 stickers are required to complete the book of 112 pages. With 48 countries competing and hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, the 2026 version being played now is the largest World Cup ever.

Photos courtesy of the Big Apple Youth Soccer League

Good Time Had By All at the TOPSoccer Friendship Cup

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

June 13, 2026-What is now known as TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program for Soccer) started in the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) in 1978 when the Huntington Boys Club (HBC) and Massapequa Soccer Club separately kicked off programs in an era when Children With Special Needs playing sports was not as accepted as it is today.

TOPSoccer began to be played over three decades ago on fields being developed behind the old LIJSL office in Plainview and since 2004, those fields have been called the Peter Collins Soccer Park. Under the longtime direction of Eastern New York Hall of Famer Ann Marie Toth and using the slogan of “Come Play With Me,” TOPSoccer grew on Long Island and there are now over two dozen LIJSL clubs with TOPS programs.

On the first Saturday in June, the LIJSL hosts the TOPSoccer Friendship Cup and barbecue at the Collins Soccer Park. Nearly 200 Special Children played under sunny skies on Saturday, June 6.

The LIJSL Manager of League Events, Stephanie Hernandez, stated, “The TOPSoccer Friendship Cup is one of the league’s greatest events, and the best part of my job. It went above and beyond expectations. The turnout was phenomenal and it was a wonderful day.”

“This was by far the best TOPSoccer Friendship Cup we ever had because of the LIJSL’s generosity. We had nothing but good vibes from everyone who participated,” Toth stated. “A special thanks to Stephanie and all her volunteers who were outstanding. Stephanie shows so much love for all our TOPSoccer athletes and her commitment is unbelievable.”

If you are interested in finding out more about TOPSoccer in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA), please contact Pete Bussa at 516-456-5828 or pbussa27@gmail.com.

All photos courtesy of the Long Island Junior Soccer League

South Bronx United to Host a World Cup Block Party

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

June 4, 2026-South Bronx United is having a party and the whole world is invited!

The innovative Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League (CJSL) club is hosting a World Cup Block Party on Friday, June 19 from noon to 5:30 pm at Macombs Dam Park, a very short corner kick from Yankee Stadium. The block party is in connection with the USA-Australia game. Youth soccer clinics and mini-tournaments, Juneteeth celebration, art activities, a voter registration booth and food vendors are all part of the fun.

“We’re thrilled to get approval from the City of New York to move forward with our Bronx Block Party World Cup Festival on June 19, particularly in such an iconic location in front of Yankee Stadium,” South Bronx United President Andrew So said.

Tickets are free and all donation proceeds support South Bronx United’s Power of 11 campaign, which helps the club continue to do their great work in using soccer to bring about social change for more than 1,800 kids in the poorest Congressional District in the United States.

“The Festival is a wonderful opportunity to bring together the community and city while also celebrating Juneteenth and the feeling of unity that the holiday stands for. We also really needed more ways to bring the soccer celebration to the South Bronx community as sometimes the upcoming World Cup seems so close, yet so far away for local residents,” So stated. “I’m looking forward to a great turnout in support of the USA and the Bronx.”

For more info and to register, please click here.

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