By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
June 14, 2026-Merrick/South Merrick Sharks Academy defeated the Auburndale Blast, 4-1, for the top spot in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA). This Boys-Under-11 Platinum Challenge Cup final was played on Saturday, May 30 at the Blue Sky Sports Complex in Middletown.
Merrick/South Merrick coach Manfred Kapper stated, “Our defense reads each other very well plus our forwards are very dynamic and quick. These are a group of local boys who won the state championship for the second consecutive year.”
Angelo Amanna and Christian Nicholson scored two goals each for the Merrick/South Merrick Sharks, who took a bite out of the competition by outscoring their opponents, 20-2, over three rounds.
Auburndale returned to Queens with the Rocco Amoroso Sportsmanship Award as determined by the game officials. Amoroso, a US Soccer Life Member who died a decade 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, making soccer games kinder and gentler in the process.
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, east of Route 81. ENYYSA encourages 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 US Soccer and US Youth Soccer. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/