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Shiloh Dabkowski Receives the Masotto-Driscoll Scholarship

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 Shiloh Dabkowski is receiving the Masotto-Driscoll Scholarship. 

The West Point resident was third in a class of 103 at James I. O’Neill High School, was a National Honor Society member and an AP Scholar With Distinction plus segved as sophomore and junior class presidents. Determined to make a difference, Shiloh volunteeered with numerous non-profits and received the Outstanding Youth Community Award from the Village of Highland Falls.

Shiloh played four years of varsity soccer at O’Neill High School as well as three years of varsity lacrosse for the Raiders, played in the Hudson Valley Youth Soccer League (HVYSL) and refereed local youth soccer games. She also received a HVYSL Scholarship.

In her essay, Shiloh wrote that “Growing up in a military family meant adapting to constant change and uncertainty. While those challenges often disrupted what little stability I had, they taught me resilience and perseverance. Rather than avoiding difficult tasks, I seek opportunities that challenge me to grow and deepen my love of learning.”

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.
 
We wish Shiloh the best at Cornell University studying Operations Research, a field that combines mathematics and problem-solving to address real world challenges.

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/

Brody Deutsch Receives the Livio D’Arpino Scholarship

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

July 14, 2026-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is very pleased to announce that Brody Deutsch is receiving a Livio D’Arpino Scholarship. 

Brody graduated from Islip High School in June with an Advanced Regents Diploma and was a member of the National Honor Society as well as the Honor Societies in English and Spanish. He was the team captain for the Islip High School boys varsity soccer team and played at a high level in ENYYSA for the Long Island Slammers, East Islip Soccer Club and Massapequa Soccer Club. Additionally, he ran winter track at Islip High and also used his soccer skills as placekicker for the varsity football team. The Islip resident is also a youth soccer referee.

Brody received a scholarship from the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) as well.

In his essay, Brody wrote that “One of the most meaningful experiences in my soccer journey has been volunteering as a coach and mentor with the Just For Kicks program at the East Islip Soccer Club, where I work with children who are autistic. It has felt incredibly rewarding watching the kids I help improve and have fun every time. Seeing their excitement and growth reminds me why I do it.”

The scholarship’s namesake, Livio D’Arpino, was a beloved Eastern New York Vice President who was seemingly involved in every level of local soccer before his untimely passing in 2002. He was so dedicated that Roman newspaper Il Messaggero recently wrote a lengthy article about him, 24 years after his death. The Livio D’Arpino Scholarship is based on success in high school as well as community service.

We wish Brody the best in studying Electrical Engineering at the University of Central Florida.

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/

Abigail Gruner Receives the Masotto-Driscoll Scholarship

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 and received a scholarship from the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) as well..

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/

Jake Vanga Receives the Livio D’Arpino Scholarship

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

July 15, 2026-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is very pleased to announce that Baldwin Place resident Jake Vanga is receiving a Livio D’Arpino Scholarship. 

The scholarship’s namesake was a beloved Eastern New York Vice President who was seemingly involved in every level of local soccer before his untimely passing in 2002. He was so dedicated that Roman newspaper Il Messaggero recently wrote a lengthy article about him, 24 years after his death. The Livio D’Arpino award is based on success in high school as well as community service.

The ENYYSA Scholarship Committee was very impressed that Jake has committed himself to helping others, most notably in emergency response and public safety. He is a National and State Registered EMT, paid EMT plus EMS Lieutenant with the Mahopac Falls Volunteer Fire Department and Captain of the Putnam County Sheriff’s Cadets. Jake was honored as the 2026 Putnam County Youth Community Service Leader of the Year.

At Kennedy Catholic Preparatory School, he maintained a 4.0 GPA, was a member of the National Honor Society and was honored as the Academic Leader of the Year. Additionally, Jake was a Music Director (directing rehearsals) and pianist at the school.

On the soccer fields, Jake served as goalkeeper and team captain at the school, was both a player and coach at the Just Play Soccer Club and has been a certified referee for the past five years.

We wish Jake the best at Pace University 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, 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/

Big Apple Youth Soccer League Distributes Thousands of World Cup Albums

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

June 19, 2026-The Big Apple Youth Soccer League (BAYSL), founded in 1997 to serve the growing Latino community in New York City, recently distributed 7,000 Panini 2026 World Cup sticker albums to players and their families at Flushing Meadows Park.

“Through my contacts, I received 8,000 sticker albums for free so I gave 1,000 albums to the Metrokids Youth Soccer League and we gave out the rest to everybody playing soccer at the park,” commented BAYSL President Carlos Vergara.

980 stickers are required to complete the book of 112 pages. With 48 countries competing and hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, the 2026 version being played now is the largest World Cup ever.

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/

Photos courtesy of the Big Apple Youth Soccer League

South Bronx United to Host a World Cup Block Party

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

June 4, 2026-South Bronx United is having a party and the whole world is invited!

The innovative Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League (CJSL) club is hosting a World Cup Block Party on Friday, June 19 from noon to 5:30 pm at Macombs Dam Park, a very short corner kick from Yankee Stadium. The block party is in connection with the USA-Australia game. Youth soccer clinics and mini-tournaments, Juneteeth celebration, art activities, a voter registration booth and food vendors are all part of the fun.

“We’re thrilled to get approval from the City of New York to move forward with our Bronx Block Party World Cup Festival on June 19, particularly in such an iconic location in front of Yankee Stadium,” South Bronx United President Andrew So said.

Tickets are free and all donation proceeds support South Bronx United’s Power of 11 campaign, which helps the club continue to do their great work in using soccer to bring about social change for more than 1,800 kids in the poorest Congressional District in the United States.

“The Festival is a wonderful opportunity to bring together the community and city while also celebrating Juneteenth and the feeling of unity that the holiday stands for. We also really needed more ways to bring the soccer celebration to the South Bronx community as sometimes the upcoming World Cup seems so close, yet so far away for local residents,” So stated. “I’m looking forward to a great turnout in support of the USA and the Bronx.”

For more info and to register, please click here.

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/

Ballston Spa 2009 Girls Win Their Third Consecutive State Cup Championship

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

June 11, 2026-As Girls-Under-17 State Cup champs, Ballston Spa 2009 Girls have won the Richard Christiano Cup, their third straight state championship. 

“We are a volunteer organization of girls from the community,” explained Ballston Spa coach Andrew Werner, Eastern New York’s 2020 Girls Competitive Coach of the Year. “I’m blessed to have such good parents that have stayed true to our program and what we’re doing.”

Ballston Spa also won the North Atlantic Premier Division title this spring, overcoming four serious injuries to their players. They started as a Girls-Under-8 team in the Capital District Youth Soccer League (CDYSL), then played in the Eastern Development Program (EDP) when they were Girls-Under-12.

Ballston Spa will represent the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) when they play at Nationals from July 13 to 20 in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 

Coach Werner added, “To prepare, we’re playing in the Mad Dog College Showcase in Saratoga Springs and will also play boys teams in friendlies.”

Richard Christiano, the cup’s namesake, has brought fiscal responsibility to ENYYSA as President for the past 17 years. He also was a youth coach for the New Hyde Park Wildcats and served on the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) Board of Directors for 14 years, greatly improving the LIJSL Select Program during this time.

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/

Hauppauge Strikers Win the Boys-Under-12 Challenge Cup

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

June 16, 2026-The Hauppauge Strikers persevered in coming from behind in both regulation and the penalty kick shootout on May 30 in the Boys-Under-12 Challenge Cup final at the Blue Sky Sports Complex in Middletown.

Hauppauge tied Elites United Pythons, 3-3, in regulation and won the shootout, 4-3, to bring the Challenge Cup home to Long Island.

“We could not contain them at the start, but we played with a lot of heart, got some confidence and came from behind after being down, 2-0, in the first five minutes,” Hauppauge coach Gennaro Iamunno explained.

Ethan Augustin, Dean Georgalas and Parker Mannino scored Hauppauge’s goals in regulation.

Elites United received 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 the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA), nationally and then to China and Ireland, making 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, 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/

Atlantic United Cyclones Win the Girls-Under-11 Platinum Challenge Cup

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

June 15, 2026-The Girls-Under-11 Platinum Challenge Cup final for supremacy in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) was an interesting affair as the two teams from Long Island playing one another are only 10 miles apart yet had never met on a soccer field before. Atlantic United Cyclones defeated Hauppauge United, 5-0, on Saturday, May 30 at the Blue Sky Sports Complex in Middletown.

Emma Lipani scored two goals plus Meadow Garbedian, Nadia Leonard and Lucy Pracher each added one. Antlatic United keeper Sadie Silva recorded the shutout in net.

“It was hard to break down Hauppauge in the first half but we eventually did,” Atlantic United coach Matt Mannino explained. “We got more confidence, played some nice combinations and played really nice soccer.”

Hauppauge did not go home empty-handed as they received 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.

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/