By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
June 5, 2025-White Plains Academy National 2013 shut out Asphalt Green 2013, 1-0, to capture the Boys-Under-12 State Open Cup on Sunday, June 1 at the Blue Sky Sports Complex in Middletown. This trophy is named the Luis Montoya Cup.
The cup’s namesake, Luis Montoya, founded the Big Apple Youth Soccer League in 1997 to serve the growing number of soccer families who recently arrived in New York City. He had two tours of duty as Trustee of the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) serving two Presidents, Barry Salter and Richard Christiano, before his passing four years ago. Luis’ daughter, Carrine Molite, travelled nearly 100 miles from her home on Long Island to present the trophy to White Plains.
Hugo Kassen scored the game’s only goal toward the end of the second half to bring the Luis Montoya Cup to Westchester.
“Goalkeeper Gabriel Franco is one of our strongest assets, a crucial part of our success,” commented White Plains coach John Florez. “The boys stepped up with a lot of heart and we wanted to win this game badly for the White Plains club.”
White Plains also received the Rocco Amoroso Sportsmanship Award as determined by the game officials. Amoroso, a US Soccer Life Member who died nine years ago, started the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) Sportsmanship Program in 1980 and it spread to Eastern New York, nationally and then to China and Ireland, and in the process, made soccer games kinder and gentler.
White Plains will represent Eastern New York at the East Regionals from June 28 to July 3 in Loudoun County, 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/