ODP

Two Eastern New York Hall of Famers to Lead Kingston Capitals Women’s Soccer

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

October 31, 2024-Two Eastern New York Hall of Famers, Dimitri Giatrakis and Ken Gulmi, have been tabbed to coach the Kingston Capitals of the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL). Dimitri Giatrakis was named Head Coach and Ken Gulmi was tabbed as General Manager and Assistant Coach for the squad that kicked off play at the start of this decade.

Coach Giatrakis has over 40 years experience as a player and coach. He holds a US Soccer National “A” license and has served as both the Hudson Valley Youth Soccer League (HVYSL) Technical Director and Olympic Development Program (ODP) Technical Director of the Eastern New York State Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA), overseeing a staff of over 30 coaches in the latter position. Dimitri has been a National Coaching Instructor and his teams have reached the finals of the National ODP Championship and a number of his players have been and are currently playing in MLS and the US Men’s National Team.

Coach Gulmi also has over 40 years coaching experience. He holds a US Soccer National “C” license and has served as HVYSL President for 22 years and as ENYYSA Vice President for 25 years. Ken served as a presenter on the College Bound educational symposium at the United Soccer Coaches national convention, as well as volunteering on the US Soccer National Committee on Disabled Athletics and he has conducted training sessions with players and parents on interview skills, nutrition and career counseling.

Dimitri Giatrakis (left) and Ken Gulmi

The team’s name is a source of pride for Kingstonians as the first New York State legislature met in Kingston in 1777 before Albany was declared the state capital two years later. Hence, Kingston is considered the first capital of New York State.

The WPSL is a highly competitive national league of 150 women’s teams in four regions and 16 conferences. Kingston, a member of the Northeast Conference, will compete against teams from Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Boston, Albany and Clarkstown. All home games will be at newly renovated Dietz Stadium in Kingston, beginning in early May 2025. Young women interested in trying out may contact Coach Gulmi at kingstoncapitals1@gmail.com

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 United States Youth Soccer. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/

Eastern New York Places 47 Players on the ODP Interregional Teams

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

August 29, 2024-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is very pleased to announce that 47 players from our Olympic Development Program (ODP) have been selected for the Interregional Team, an increase of over 10% from very good results last year.

The breakdown is as follows:

2007 Boys-Asa Antoine, Asiah Carroll, Kevin Cruz
2008 Boys-Otoniel Umana Alvarez, Sean Mahoney, Jose Goodman Millman, Austin Sheehan
2009 Boys-Owen Gordon, Matteo Kickasola, Evan Montes, Liam Trout
2010 Boys-Nicholas Gentile, Ethan Lai, Connor Nuccio
2011 Boys-Parker Donohue, Jacob Hiciano
2012 Boys-Connor Cleary, Noah DiCicco, Estivie Insua-Shapiro, Aaron Pantophlet, Logan Trout

2007 Girls-Amelie Donzo, Harper Goergen, Isabella Montesdeoca, Giovanna Petruccelli Brens
2008 Girls-Isabel Guerrero, Ryann Zydor
2009 Girls-Avery Ballantine, Cecelia Ricci
2010 Girls-Zoe Ball, Payton Galuski, Shea Lagiglia, Riyadh Patterson, Mikaela Regazzi, Maya Robbins-Pianka
2011 Girls-Ashlee Camasca, Neelu Derosa, Isabel Drury, Ella Giordano, Giuliana Porter, Carolina Purificato, Mackenzie Schneidler
2012 Girls-Isabella Gallagher, Sarai Horne, Jovana Marin, Calianna Robilotti, Sophia Savard

These 47 players will be competing in Florida next January for a spot on the National Team.

Eastern New York ODP Director Jim Volpe stated, “ODP is very proud of these players who have accomplished this goal of being selected by staff of being the top 18 ODP players in the East Region. These kids will be competing for spots on the ODP National Team which plays in international tournaments throughout the year.”

ODP is the highest level of play in each state association. Eastern New York has a particularly strong program as showcased by our recent ODP national championships and that US Women’s National Team players Sam Coffey and Crystal Dunn are Eastern New York ODP alumnae.

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/

ODP Tryouts Kick Off in August

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

August 7, 2024-The Olympic Development Program (ODP) is the highest level of play in each state association. The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Associaton (ENYYSA) has a particularly strong ODP as our teams have won recent national titles plus US Women’s National Team players Sam Coffey and Crystal Dunn grew up competing in Eastern New York’s ODP.

Under the direction of Jim Volpe, Eastern New York ODP is split into North and South programs due to the large geographic footprint of the eastern portion of the Empire State. ODP players are selected on Technique, Tactical Ability, Fitness/Athleticism and Attitude. The online registration fee is $45 and onsite registration is $65.

Volpe recently announced tryout schedules for both boys and girls born in 2011, 2012 and 2013:

North Program

Boys:

Sunday, August 18, 9:00 am to 10:30 am at Capelli Sports Complex in Chester

Sunday, August 18, 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm at Afrim’s Sports Park in Colonie

Girls:

Sunday, August 18, 10:45 am to 12:15 pm at Capelli Sports Complex in Chester

Sunday, August 18, 5:45 pm to 7:15 pm at Afrim’s Sports Park in Colonie

South Program

Boys:

Monday, September 9, Boys born in 2013, 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm at Cantiague Park in Hicksville

Monday, September 9, Boys born in 2012, 7:15 pm to 8:45 pm at Cantiague Park in Hicksville

Monday, September 9, Boys born in 2011, 8:30 pm to 10:00 pm at Cantiague Park in Hicksville

Girls:

Monday, September 16, Girls born in 2013, 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm at Cantiague Park in Hicksville

Monday, September 16, Girls born in 2012, 7:15 pm to 8:45 pm at Cantiague Park in Hicksville

Monday, September 16, Girls born in 2011, 8:30 pm to 10:00 pm at Cantiague Park in Hicksville

To register, please log on to https://www.enysoccer.com/what-is-olympic-development-program/tryouts/

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/

The New York Connections of the US Women’s National Team

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

August 10, 2024-Congratulations to the United States Women’s National Team (USWNT), which won all six of its matches at the Paris Olympics, outscoring their opponents, 12-2, en route to the Gold Medal. Two USWNT players and the new head coach have New York connections.

Sam Coffey was born in Manhattan and grew up in Sleepy Hollow. Sam developed her wonderful talent in Eastern New York’s Olympic Development Program (ODP) as well as for clubs Match Fit Academy and the New York Soccer Club. It was then on to Boston College and Penn State while also competing for the United States National Youth Teams in the Girls-Under-18, Girls-Under-19 and Girls-Under-20 age brackets. She has played for the Portland Thorns for the past three years, helping them win the NWSL championship in 2022.

Crystal Dunn grew up in Rockville Centre, Long Island and spent her formative years in the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL), playing for the Rockville Centre Power, Rockville Centre Tornadoes and Albertson Fury ‘91. Crystal also played in Eastern New York ODP for six years, and used it as a springboard to represent the USA internationally.

Crystal Dunn in the gray dress surrounded by her adoring fans at the Rockville Centre Sports Complex. Photo courtesy of Crystal Dunn.

“From the age of nine, Crystal displayed a tremendous desire to learn about the game. Her drive and desire to understand all the things you teach a developing youth player were incredible. Crystal’s energy and courage for her size were as impressive as her desire to learn,” commented Tim Bradbury, who coached Crystal on her two Rockville Centre youth teams and is the longtime Director of Coaching for the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA).

As a junior at the University of North Carolina, she won the Hermann Trophy as college soccer’s best player, scoring five goals in leading the Tar Heels to the 2012 NCAA championship. Crystal and her USA teams won the 2012 Under-20 Women’s World Cup, the 2019 Women’s World Cup plus a Bronze Medal at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. She has played for the Washington Spirit, North Carolina Courage and Portland Thorns in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and currently plays for Gotham FC. In the 2017-18 season, she played for Chelsea of the Women’s Super League, where her coach was Emma Hayes, who is now her coach with the USWNT and got her start as a 25-year-old coach in New York.

Emma Hayes giving a clinic at the 2002 LIJSL Convention. Photo courtesy of Kim Wyant.

Emma coached a top women’s team, the Long Island Lady Riders in 2002, receiving the W-League Coach of the Year Award. She then coached the Iona College women’s team from 2003 to 2005 before embarking on a professional career in both England and the United States.

Emma told NBC News, “I was lucky to be born in England but made in the USA.“

Emma Hayes coaching the Long Island Lady Riders at Michael Tully Park. Photo courtesy of Kim Wyant.

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/

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/

Samantha Graf is Honored With the Masotto-Driscoll Scholarship

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

July 12, 2024-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is pleased to announce that Plainview resident Samantha Graf is receiving the Masotto-Driscoll Scholarship.

At Plainview/Old Bethpage High School, Samantha was involved in student government all four years and was Senior Class President. An Honor Roll Student all four years as well, she was in the Business Honor Society, English Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society and a Moot Court Winner in addition to participating in the Mock Trial Club and Marching Band. Her community service includes teacher’s assistant, Holiday Helper, Senior Citizen Prom Senior, Citizen Internet Learning, Holocaust Remembrance Night and Valentine’s Day Veterans Cards.

Samantha played in Eastern New York’s Olympic Development Program (ODP) in addition to club and high school soccer. In her essay, she wrote that “My dedication to soccer spans many years, starting from my early childhood and continuing into my high school years. Soccer has not only been a sport for me but a source of joy, discipline and personal development. The lessons I’ve learned on the field such as teamwork, resilience and sportsmanship have translated into other areas of my life, including academics and leadership roles.”

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 Samantha well in studying and playing goalkeeper at Marist College in Poughkeepsie 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/

Michael Iemma Receives a Livio D’Arpino Scholarship

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

July 9, 2024-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is very pleased to announce that Bethpage resident Michael Iemma 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. The Livio D’Arpino award is based on success in high school as well as community service.

At Plainedge High School, Michael was a member of the National Honor Society the past two years and had a weighted GPA of 3.7 out of 4.0. He received All-County soccer honors in 2021, ’22 and ’23 plus was the Red Devils’ MVP in 2021.

He has been playing with Eastern New York’s Olympic Development Program (ODP) from 2018 to today and made the National ODP Team three times, including currently. He started playing with the Plainedge Soccer Club when he was four years old and also competed for East Meadow, Massapequa and the Long Island Rough Riders.

Additionally, Michael is a certified referee who received the Long Island Soccer Referee Association (LISRA) Ace of Initiative Award last winter and a LISRA Scholarship last month.

In his essay, he write that “Soccer has been a major part of my life growing up and has taught me valuable lessons that will follow me for the rest of my life. Soccer taught me about competitive spirit, hard work, teamwork, sportsmanship, positive attitude, failure and how to bounce back from it, just to name a few.”

We wish Michael the best studying and playing soccer at Methodist University in Fayetteville, North Carolina 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/

Diego Flores Receives a Livio D’Arpino Scholarship

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

July 8, 2024-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is very pleased to announce that Nesconset’s Diego Flores is receiving a Livio D’Arpino Scholarship.

Diego wrote is his essay that “I have seen that by leading by example and living your values first-hand allows you to impact the lives of so many people. As an incoming college athlete and aspiring nurse, I’m excited to find my role in society and put myself in a position to bring about change, serve the needs of others and implement the same trust, respect and accountability that I was lucky to have been provided by my community and my peers.”

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 has 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 also was a Ray Perez Scholarship Recipient.

Diego has played for Eastern New York’s Olympic Development Program (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.

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. The award is based on success in high school as well as community service.

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/

30 Local Soccer Players Participate in Eastern New York’s Clinic During the State Cup Finals

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

June 17, 2024-While travel team and premier players were competing in State Cup championship games on adjacent fields at Stringham Park on Saturday, June 1, the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) held a free clinic for 30 local recreational soccer players from the LaGrange area. Boys and girls 9-10 years old participated.

Olympic Development Program (ODP) coaches Ricky Cusano, Medo Kafaga and Scott Goodman helped the players work on the basic fundamentals such as ball control, dribbling and shooting during the 1-hour session.

“I thought that the clinic went very well,” ODP Director Jim Volpe stated. “The kids got a taste of professional coaching and had a good 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. 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/

Eastern New York to Host Our Fourth Annual ODP Sub Regional in Colonie

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

March 12, 2024-Six weeks before college and regional coaches scout the ODP Regionals, those coaches get a sneak peak in looking at the top soccer talent in the Northeast United States when the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) hosts our Fourth Annual ODP Sub Regional on April 27 and 28 at Afrim’s Sports Park in Colonie.

ODP, the Olympic Development Program, is the highest level of play in each state association. Eastern New York has a particularly strong ODP as 10 of our players recently made the ODP National Teams plus US Women’s National Team player Crystal Dunn is a Eastern New York ODP alumna.

Hosting the Sub Regional are the North and South ODP teams from Eastern New York. Because the geographic region of our state association is quite large, we feature both North and South ODP teams. The other state associations playing are Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York West and Vermont.

The Under-12 to Under-17 boys will be competing on Saturday, April 27 while the girls in those same age groups will be playing on Sunday, April 28. These are truly friendly games and no standings are kept.

For more info, please contact Eastern New York ODP Director Jim Volpe at jvolpe@enysoccer.com

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/

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