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Human Interest

Diego Flores Receives Eastern New York’s Cortlandt ODP College Scholarship

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

July 31, 2024-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is pleased to announce that one of our longtime Olympic Development Program (ODP) players, Diego Flores, is receiving a scholarship through the Cortlandt ODP College Scholarship Program. ODP is the highest level of play in each state association and we would particularly like to thank the Cortlandt Soccer Club for funding this scholarship. 

At Smithtown East High School, Diego was a member of the Math Honor Society, Science Honor Society and French Honor Society while maintaining a weighted GPA of 4.28. He had been the Bulls’ starting goalkeeper since 2021 and was honored three times as both All-Conference and All-County, named Long Island Boys Soccer Goalkeeper of the Year, received the News 12 Long Island Scholar-Athlete Award and was a Ray Perez Scholarship Recipient.

Diego also received Eastern New York’s Livio D’Arpino Scholarship earlier this summer. Two separate committees made up of different volunteers selected Diego for these two scholarship awards.

The Nesconset resident has played for ODP since 2019 and been a member of the National ODP Team since 2022, playing in the Dallas Cup’s Boys-Under-17 final in 2023.

This summer, Diego helped lead SUSA Black to the championship game of the Ryder-Vass Cup in the Long Island Soccer Football League (LISFL) Men’s-Under-23 competition. 

We wish Diego the best pursuing a nursing degree and playing soccer at Southern Connecticut State University starting this fall.

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 on to http://www.enysoccer.com/

All-Female Ref Crews Officiate the WPSL East Regional Final Four

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

July 17, 2024-Over 3,000 certified referees officiate the 100,000-plus players of the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA). But while females make up nearly 50% of our players, the percentage of female referees to overall refs is much smaller. Eastern New York’s referee shortage would be over if the number of female refs increased to nearly 50%, just like our players.

From left to right: Tatjana Budesheim, Cheryl Aronson, Stephanie Overton and Ashley Prevet before Clarkstown’s 4-1 win over Niagara 1812 in the WPSL East Regional Semifinal.

Our top young female refs were in the spotlight as three all-female referee crews were assigned by Brendan Mullarkey and Brian Baer for the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) East Regional Finals played at SUSA’s Orlin & Cohen Sports Complex in Central Islip on July 13 and 14.

Mullarkey stated, “Everything went very smoothly and the refs did very well.”

From left to right: Stephanie Loehr, Tatjana Budesheim, Stephanie Overton and Cheryl Aronson before Reading United’s 2-1 victory over SUSA in the WPSL East Regional Semifinal.

There are many reasons to become a referee and/or assistant referee, from staying involved with the game, getting exercise, meeting new people, earning money, etc. Plus you are your own boss and decide when you are available to ref. The reasons for reffing are as diverse as the people who make up our referee ranks.

Eastern New York seeks new Grassroots Referees and the certification class consists of both online and classroom learning. For more information, log on to https://enysreferee.org/how-to-become-a-referee/. If you have any questions, e-mail questions@enysreferee.org

From left to right: Ashley Prevet, Stephanie Overton, Jennifer Dumaine, Stephanie Loehr and WPSL Associate Commissioner-East Shelley Dougherty before Clarkstown’s 4-2 win past Reading United in the WPSL East Regional Championship Game.

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 on to http://www.enysoccer.com/

Boys-Under-12 B/W Gottschee Academy Blue Win the Regional Championship

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

July 16, 2024-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) salutes B/W Gottschee Academy Blue who won both the Boys-Under-12 State Cup and Regional titles recently.

Back row: Coach Andreas Kalpaxis, Alexander DiClerico, Lev Hermann, Sidney Bai-Scanavino, Filip Rzedzian, Teo Freund, Viktor Hnatiuk, Yaseen Zaghdudi, Christopher Cardona, Oliver Milanja
Front row: Christian Reyes, Teo Contreras, Leonardo Atis, Colin Palazzo, Brandon Piña, Moussa Azala

B/W Gottschee Academy Blue won all five games in the State Cup, outscoring their opponents 30-2. They shut out their clubmates, B/W Gottschee Academy White, 4-0, in the State Cup final on June 1 at Stringham Park in LaGrange. It was the 72nd state championship that B/W Gottschee teams have won since the Queens club’s founding in 1951. 

“Football is a simple game that tends to get complicated by odd tactics and over-coaching. Our focus as a club is to give players the ability to decide games on their own,” coach Andreas Kalpaxis explained. “The ball should always be their priority. Mastering control, handling the ball in tight spaces and taking on defenders without hesitation. Give the players the tools to master the ball and let them create their own solutions on the pitch.”

B/W Gottschee Academy Blue then won four games and lost one, outscoring the other teams, 19-5, during Regionals in West Virginia from June 27 to July 2. They shut out Beadling North Red of Pennsylvania West in the final, 3-0, to give the B/W Gottschee club its 13th Regional title.

“Our boys excelled at Regionals and deserved to be crowned champions,” Coach Kalpaxis concluded.

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 on to http://www.enysoccer.com/

Honor Your Best and Hardest-Working Members

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

July 20, 2024-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is asking that each member, club and league turn their attention inwards to their volunteers in an effort to acknowledge those whose contributions have truly made a difference. 

We’re seeking nominations for a variety of awards to demonstrate our appreciation for the hours of devotion these valued individuals donate to our players. 

Eastern New York will select a person in each category who will receive our recognition at the Hall of Fame Banquet next winter and will also be forwarded as our candidate for additional recognition at the National level. Last year, we received a nomination in nearly every category because our members took the time to nominate somebody.

The entries MUST be on a specific form and be completed as comprehensively as possible or they cannot be considered. These forms are attached below. 

Awards will be presented in the following categories: 

Girls Competitive Coach of the Year

Boys Competitive Coach of the Year

Girls Recreational Coach of the Year

Boys Recreational Coach of the Year

Volunteer of the Year

Administrator of the Year

TOPSoccer Coach of the Year

TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year

Young Female Referee of the Year

Young Male Referee of the Year

Nominations for the above awards must be received at the Eastern New York office on or before September 27, 2024 to be considered. The address is Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association, 167 Nassau Boulevard, Garden City South, NY 11530 or the material can be e-mailed to Randy Vogt at enypublicrelations@enysoccer.com

As with everything else, your nominees have to be in it to win it! Please take the opportunity to recognize the best and brightest through this great awards program.

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 on to http://www.enysoccer.com/

Boys-Under-14 East Coast FC Regional Qualify For Nationals

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

July 15, 2024-East Coast FC Regional won both the Boys-Under-14 State Cup and Regional titles as they have become one of the best youth soccer teams in New York State.

“We would like to dedicate the State Cup and the Eastern Regional Championship to our beloved club mentor, Joe Misso, who was born in 1945 and passed away earlier this year,” East Coast FC coach John Kokkoris stated. “Joe always said, ‘What you put into it is what you get out of it,’ and that is what our club is built on.”

In the State Cup, they won all six games, outscoring their opponents 23 to 1. Hector Santiago scored the only goal of the final as they topped Just Play Soccer Premier, 1-0, at Stringham Park in LaGrange on June 1. 

“The majority of our team has been together from the beginning, some even as young as five and six years old. They have grown up together and learned from past experiences, always showing persistency in reaching their objectives,” Coach Kokkoris said. “Their mentality has been top level from such a young age and it’s been special watching them mature and develop over the years.”

The Long Island side continued to impress at Regionals, winning four games and losing one, outscoring their opponents 10 to 5.

“In order to prepare for Regionals, we actually had a friendly with the Stony Brook LGN Thunder back in New York,” Coach Kokkoris explained. “After that friendly game, we told the boys that with the quality the two groups have, we wouldn’t be surprised if we met in the finals and that’s exactly what happened.”

The only goal of the Regional final was scored by Saul Peraza with three minutes left as East Coast got by Stony Brook LGN, 1-0, between the two teams from the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) on July 2 in West Virginia. 

Kokkoris continued, “Before the Regional Final, Stony Brook LGN coach Tim Graham and I met up and watched the USA play against Uruguay in the Copa America and traded some playful banter. Congratulations to Stony Brook LGN and their fantastic program.”

Back row, left to right-Coach John Kokkoris, Mitchell Levi, Alex Jung, Ryan Silva, Kaden Gallagher, Hudson Wu, Jesus Sorto, Team Manager Fina Lugris
Middle row, left to right-Saul Peraza, Andrew McCormack, Hunter Chilelli, Mayer Kaufman
Front row, left to right-Alejandro Lugris, Lennix Batres, Roi Lago, Hector Santiago, David Figueroa, Nico Leguizamon, Caedan McCord, Michael Keesee

East Coast FC Regional will represent Eastern New York as they play for the national championship from July 23 to 28 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Reunion, Florida.

“We are going to treat Nationals like we do any other event. Nothing changes, with 100% concentration and 100% hard work in every training session,” Kokkoris concluded, “These boys are on a mission!”

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 on to http://www.enysoccer.com/

Big Apple Youth Soccer League Kids Accompany Copa America Players Onto Field

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

July 2, 2024-Boys and girls from the Big Apple Youth Soccer League (BAYSL) walked onto the field with players from the National Teams of Bolivia and Uruguay before their Copa America match on June 27 at MetLife Stadium. Uruguay won the match, 5-0.

BAYSL players from the JJV Academy, La Colonia and New York Talentos clubs had this opportunity as league President Carlos Vergara has connections to Copa America executives. The kids arrived hours before the game to practice entering the field plus received free food, uniforms and watched the game afterwards. Since the BAYSL players speak Spanish, they were able to communicate with the Bolivian and Uruguayan players.

“Our players were very happy to be on a professional field in front of so many people, almost a sellout crowd,” BAYSL President Vergara explained. “It is something that they will remember for the rest of their lives.”

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 on to http://www.enysoccer.com/

Staten Island Hosts the Back to the Beach Soccer Classic

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

June 27, 2024-The current heat wave is bringing New Yorkers back to the beach. The Staten Island Youth Soccer League (SIYSL), the southernmost league in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA), has been going to the beach since 2017 when it first hosted the Back to the Beach Soccer Classic.

This tournament took a two-year break in 2020 and ’21 for the pandemic with more and more teams playing since. 63 squads, including Brunswick FC from the Capital District Youth Soccer League (CDYSL), played in the 6th Annual Back to the Beach Soccer Classic at Midland Beach on June 22 and 23.

The tourney does not use official beach soccer rules (yes, there is such a thing) but developed its own rules.

“We do not use goalkeepers. We play on 50 yard by 30 yard fields with 4 x 6 goals. Four vs. four for Under-12 and up, five vs. five for Under-11 and lower,” tourney director Rich Nellis explained. “No offsides but players are not allowed to camp in the goal area and the ball cannot be played once it enters the restricted area by the goal. You cannot play as much one-on-one with the sand so it encourages passing and teamwork.”

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 nine 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 on to http://www.enysoccer.com/

Soccer Refs Wanted

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

June 26, 2024-There are over 100,000 youth soccer players in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) and over 3,000 referees and assistant refs.

Most of the action takes play during the spring and fall as the weather is just right, not too hot or not too cold for soccer. With the Spring Season coming to a close, Eastern New York looks to increase our number of referees in time for the Fall Season.

There are many reasons to become a referee and/or assistant referee, from staying involved with the game, getting exercise, meeting new people, earning money, etc. Plus you are your own boss and decide when you are available to ref. The reasons for reffing are as diverse as the people who make up our referee ranks, men and women plus teenage boys and girls.

Photo courtesy of the Massapequa Soccer Club

Eastern New York seeks new Grassroots Referees and the certification class consists of both online and classroom learning. For more information, log on to https://enysreferee.org/how-to-become-a-referee/. If you have any questions, e-mail questions@enysreferee.org

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 nine 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 on to http://www.enysoccer.com/

Morgan Salmon Thanks TOPSoccer in Acceptance Speech as Northeast-10 Conference Woman of the Year

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

June 19, 2024-Morgan Salmon of West Hempstead has been honored by the Northeast-10 Conference as the Woman of the Year and Soccer Defensive Player of the Year as well as a United Soccer Coaches All-American.

Morgan’s playing time at Adelphi University consisted of starting 51 of her 53 career games at the pivotal center back position. The Panthers, under her captaincy, not only returned to the NE10 Championship final in 2023, but captured the school’s first NCAA Division 2 East Region Championship in 20 years. Her final start as a Panther came at the NCAA Division 2 National Championship, where Morgan played all 90 minutes of the team’s semifinal game against Washburn University.

Morgan completed her bachelor’s degree this May in Nursing, maintaining a 3.854 cumulative grade-point average along the way. In her acceptance speech as the Northeast-10 Woman of the Year, she thanked Lauren Lee, the TOPSoccer Chairperson of the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA).


Morgan said, “I would like to thank West Hempstead TOPSoccer and Lauren Lee. West Hempstead TOPSoccer is the outreach program for soccer which allows individuals with special needs the opportunty to play soccer, whether that is a mental or physical disability. I started volunteering with this program in 2013 so I grew up with these kids, they’re neighborhood kids, and as much as you would think that I taught them, they have truly formed me into the person I am.”

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/