By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
June 20, 2021-In the Boys-Under-17 State Open Cup final for supremacy in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA), the Long Island Slammers topped FC Somers Arsenal, 3-2, on Sunday, June 6 at Stringham Park in LaGrange. As the new Boys-Under-17 State Open Cup champs, the Slammers took the Jose Vargas Cup home to Long Island.
Jose was a man of many hats (and many hats that had many feathers) who served as State Referee Administrator, State Youth Referee Administrator and State Director of Assessment as well as President of the East Hudson Youth Soccer League (EHYSL) and East Fishkill Soccer Club.
The Slammers will represent Eastern New York at the East Regionals from June 25 to July 1 in Hammonton, New Jersey as part of the National Championship Series.
FC Somers was selected by game officials to receive the Rocco Amoroso Sportsmanship Award. Nicknamed Mr. Sportsmanship, Rocco founded the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) Sportsmanship Program in 1980 and it was copied around the world. He served as Chairperson of Eastern New York's Hall of Fame Committee until his passing in 2016 at the age of 89.
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 https://www.enysoccer.com/