By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
July 16, 2026-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is very pleased to announce that Rockville Centre’s Abigail Gruner is receiving the Masotto-Driscoll Scholarship.
The scholarship’s namesakes, Patricia Louise Masotto and Brenda Driscoll, were best friends and top women’s soccer players from Massapequa, Long Island. Eastern New York set up a scholarship in their name after they were killed by a drunk driver in 1985. The scholarship is determined by success in high school as well as community service.
Abby had a 105 weighted GPA at South Side High School and was the Salutatorian, a member of the National Honor Society as well as the Honor Societies in Art, Math, Science,
Tri-M Music, World Language and Rho Kappa Social Studies. She plays the flute at an All-Star Level.
She was the goalkeeper and team captain at both South Side High School and in the Rockville Centre Soccer Club. She volunteered for numerous local organizations, including the TOPSoccer Program for Children With Special Needs in the Rockville Centre Soccer Club. Abby also served as keeper for Eastern New York ODP and Regional ODP.
In her essay, she wrote, “From as far back as I can remember, I was in cleats, kicking around a ball that gradually grew as I did. I fell in and out of love with the sport, but becoming a goalkeeper helped me love it again. I love the freeing sensation of diving through the air, feeling like you are flying for just a second…I found my voice on the field, and that translated to finding confidence off of it. I have learned how to speak up not just for myself, but for those who are not heard, to lead through kindness, poise and hard work, and that creating a positive team culture is the best thing you can do to lead a team.”
We wish Abby the best at the University of Virginia.
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/