Challenge Cup

Profiles and team photos of each squad:

BU10 Platinum-Merrick/South Merrick PAL Sharks

BU10 Gold-Babylon Athletico

GU10 Platinum-Ballston Spa United

BU11 Platinum-AB7 Future Soccer Academy

BU11 Gold-Westchester Flames

GU11 Gold-LaGrange Pride

BU12-Soccer Kids NYC

BU14-New York Hota Blue

BU16-Brooklyn Italians 2009 Premier

By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association

June 13, 2025-On Sunday, June 1 at the Blue Sky Sports Complex in Middletown, Ballston Spa United shut out East Coast FC G2015, 1-0 in the Girls-Under 10 Platinum Challenge Cup final.

Whitney Jennings scored the game’s only goal plus keeper Hannah Flynn had the shutout in net in this Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) game.

Ballston Spa coach Mike O’Brien stated, “We had a lot of chances and kept the ball in their end in these sloppy conditions.”

East Coast, from Long Island, received the Rocco Amoroso Sportsmanship Award as determined by the game officials. Amoroso, a US Soccer Life Member who died in 2016, 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.

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/

By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association

June 16, 2025-Brooklyn Italians 2009 Premier topped the Eleftheria/Pancyprian Soccer Club, 4-3, in the Boys-Under-16 Challenge Cup final, organized by the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA). This championship game between two squads from New York City was played on Sunday, June 1 at the Blue Sky Sports Complex in Middletown.

Kamgy Oghuka scored two goals plus Tomas Otero and Lulian Flores each added one for Brooklyn.

“We were the better organized team and were stronger in defense,” explained Brooklyn coach Dane Chambers. “Our strength was in the middle while theirs was on the sides.”

Brooklyn Italians 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.

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/

By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association

June 14, 2025-All goals were scored by girls named Elizabeth as the LaGrange Pride defeated Huntington Inter Gold, 6-1, in the Girls-Under-11 Gold Challenge Cup final. The game was organized by the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA), on Sunday, June 1 at the Blue Sky Sports Complex in Middletown.

Elizabeth Schmidt scored four goals and Elizabeth Maher added two.

“Our team plays very well and this championship is the culmination of six years of hard work together,” explained LaGrange coach Kyle Flynn. “They are very tenacious.”

LaGrange 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.

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/

By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association

June 15, 2025-Joseph Sica scored two goals and Thomas Lloyd added one as New York Hota 2011 Blue topped Brooklyn Italians 2011 National, 3-2. 

This Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) Boys-Under-14 Challenge Cup final was played on June 1 at the Blue Sky Sports Complex in Middletown.

“We had a little bit of momentum toward the end of the game,” explained New York Hota coach Jordan Russolillo. “Defensively, we were organized and made it difficult for Brooklyn to get out of their own half at times.”

New York Hota 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.

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/

By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association

June 14, 2025-The Westchester Flames shut out Eleftheria/Pancyprian Blue, 6-0, in the Boys-Under-11 Gold Challenge Cup final on Sunday, June 1 at the Blue Sky Sports Complex in Middletown. The cup competition was organized by the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA).\

Westchester Flames coach Sean Kenny commented, “It was a great game and a lot closer than the final score indicates.” 

Joseph Doci, Eli Ghanem, Matthew McInerney and Campbell Pope all scored goals for Westchester while keepers Bradly Merimo and George White shared the shutout in net.

Westchester 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.

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/

By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association

June 15, 2025-Soccer Kids NYC of the Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League (CJSL) defeated the Beacon Beasts of the Hudson Valley Youth Soccer League (HVYSL), 5-2, in overtime in the Boys-Under-12 Challenge Cup final. This Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) final was played on June 1 at the Blue Sky Sports Complex in Middletown.

“They were hungry,” explained Soccer Kids NYC coach Eric Cevallos. “We lost in the final on penalty kicks last year. After Beacon scored to tie it up at 2-2 and send the game into overtime, we talked about it and then scored three goals in overtime.”

Lucas Miranda, Khaled Mahmoud, Oliver Liu, Miguel Cordero and Gerell Hoyte each scored one goal for Soccer Kids NYC.

Soccer Kids NYC will also be bringing back the Rocco Amoroso Sportsmanship Award, as determined by the game officials, to New York City. Amoroso, a US Soccer Life Member who died in 2016, 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.

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/

By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association

June 13, 2025-AB7 Future Soccer Academy Blue topped East Coast FC B2014 on penalty kicks in the Boys-Under-11 Platinum Challenge Cup final, organized by the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA), on Sunday, June 1 at the Blue Sky Sports Complex in Middletown.

Both squads were deadlocked at 2-2 after regulation and both overtimes. AB7 Future Soccer Academy prevailed 9-8 in the penalty kick shootout to bring the cup back to Staten Island with them.

“I commend the heart and desire of this team and they kept coming back, being down 1-0 and then 2-1,” explained AB7 coach Armando Guarnera.

Faaz Norman and Alvin Sufaj scored the goals for the champs who play out of the Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League (CJSL).

East Coast, from Long Island, 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.

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/

By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association

June 12, 2025-Babylon Athletico defeated Success Academy Blue, 5-2, in the Boys-Under-10 Gold Challenge Cup final, organized by the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA), on Sunday, June 1 at the Blue Sky Sports Complex in Middletown.

“We pressured them all game and capitalized on our chances,” stated Babylon coach Kevin Bendl. 

Cameron Yturraspe scored two goals plus Austin Bendl, Angelo Giambalvo and Tate Hoffman each added one. Babylon goalkeepers Noah Smith and Logan Sollow were both outstanding.

Success Academy, from the Bronx, 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.

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/

By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association

June 12, 2025-The Merrick/South Merrick PAL Sharks defeated East Coast FC Red, 6-1, in the Boys-Under-10 Platinum Challenge Cup final, organized by the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA), on Sunday, June 1 at the Blue Sky Sports Complex in Middletown.

“The ground was heavy so that took away from our playing style,” explained Merrick/South Merrick coach Manfred Kapper. “So the game became a matter of hustle. We scored the first goal and took it from there.”

Angelo Amanna scored a three-goal hat trick, Christian Nicholson netted two goals and Nick Spataro had one to pace Merrick/South Merrick.

Coach Kapper added, “A community-driven team such as ours can sometimes be a disadvantage so that’s why I’m even more proud of this team.”

East Coast 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.

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/