By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
June 8, 2024-Stony Brook LGN Samurai Blue topped B/W Gottschee Academy, 2-1, in overtime to win the Boys-Under-15 State Open Cup championship under sunny skies on June 1 at Stringham Park in LaGrange.
Stony Brook LGN will represent the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) at the East Regionals from June 27 to July 3 in Charleston and Barboursville, West Virginia as part of the National Championship Series.
Issac Cruz scored the game-winner with seven minutes left in the second extra time period. Christian Jones netted Stony Brook LGN’s goal during regulation time.
“We started off shaky and Gottschee was the better team in the beginning,” explained Stony Brook LGN coach Matt Mannina. “We started to have more chances as the game progressed. We were here last year in the finals at LaGrange and knew what to expect.”
In 2023, Stony Brook Samurai Blue lost in the final to Long Island SC, 2-0, but now they are the State Open Cup champs.
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/