By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
June 11, 2024-It came down to a penalty kick shootout and FC Somers Red Bulls outlasted Brentwood Premier United, 5-4, to win the Boys-Under-18 State Open Cup championship after tying 2-2 at the end of both regulation and overtime. This Boys-Under-18 State Open Cup championship for the Ray Wolfe Cup was played under sunny skies on June 2 at Stringham Park in LaGrange.
The cup’s honoree 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 five years ago.
Koky Durante and Anthony Avadanza scored FC Somers’ goals during regulation.
“It was a very physical game and we certainly respect how Brentwood played,” explained FC Somers coach Brian Lanzetta. “We knew it was going to be a battle. We jumped out early but when it came down to penalty kicks, I liked our chances with Matthew D’Ippolito in goal.”
FC Somers will represent Eastern New York at the East Regionals from June 27 to July 3 in Charleston and Barboursville, West Virginia as part of the National Championship Series.
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 10 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 US Youth Soccer. For more information, please log onto http://www.enysoccer.com/