By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
 
June 11, 2019-The Boys-Under-18 State Open Cup final on June 2 at Stringham Park in LaGrange was a rematch of last year’s final when Lake Grove/Newfield became champs through the shootout. This year, kicks from the mark were not necessary as Lake Grove/Newfield United defeated Levittown Gunners 2001, 4-1, in regulation.

Lake Grove/Newfield coach Frank Stagnitta explained, “Having been here before, it allowed us to create a game plan for a dangerous opponent that is never out of the game. Last year, they came back to tie us but this year, we did not let them.”

Matthew Bogashewicz, Gabriel Cruz, Alex Rosa and Olvin Yames scored Lake Grove/Newfield’s goals.

The cup’s honoree, Ray Wolfe, played in the Cosmopolitan Soccer League, coached in the Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League (CJSL) and was State Youth Referee Administrator (SYRA) of the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) for nearly a decade before passing away two years ago.

Levittown received the Rocco Amoroso Sportsmanship Award as determined by the game officials. The namesake of the award, who died in 2016, was inducted into the Halls of Fame of the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) and Eastern New York plus was honored as a Life Member by U.S. Soccer. 

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.