TOPSoccer

TOPSoccer Integrates With Unified Players For the First Time on Long Island

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

November 20, 2025-Children With Special Needs playing soccer in an organized league first started in the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) in 1978 when the Huntington Boys Club and Massapequa Soccer Club separately started programs at a time when those with Special Needs playing sports is not as accepted as it is today. That was the first seeds of what is now TOPSoccer, The Outreach Program for Soccer, for children and adults with intellectual, emotional or physical challenges, all under the US Youth Soccer umbrella.

Three dozen Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) clubs now have TOPSoccer teams.

Smithtown TOPSoccer coach Bob Kinney, recently selected by Eastern New York as our 2025 TOPSoccer Coach of the Year, explained that “when Smithtown TOPSoccer player Steven Heimerle moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, I helped him find a new team through Emily Mohlin of the Special Olympics Long Island. Steven ended up playing on a Unified Soccer team, and enjoyed it so much that he contacted me to talk about it. Steven’s input on his experience led to several discussions within the Smithtown Kickers on how we could do something similar.”

Unified teams consist of those with and without challenges playing on one squad. It’s inspired by the simple principle that playing together is a quick path to friendship and understanding.

This led to a 3-day soccer camp last July at Moriches Fields in St. James where 12 TOPSoccer players were integrated with five college and adult players, all under the direction of Miquel Gasparin, the Smithtown Kickers’ Director of Boys Training.

“The camp was a huge success. The players enjoyed it tremendously and in the Unified setting, they were able to work on more refined soccer concepts like ball possession. Everyone did not want the camp to end and asked to do it again,” Bob stated.

At the Special Olympics’ Fall Games on September 20 at Cantiague Park in Hicksville, Bob met Michael and Kristen Carolan, who had been involved in Unified Sports in Florida and are currently volunteering with Huntington Boys Club (HBC) TOPSoccer. Together with Sachem TOPSoccer coach Brian Pontecorvo, they planned their first Unified event on Saturday, November 15 at Moriches Fields as the TOPSoccer Fall Season concluded.

Photos of Sachem vs. Smithtown in a TOPSoccer and Unified game

Unified players were on each team as Smithtown played against Sachem. The partner players’ goal was not to star on either squad but to aid each teammate in getting the ball down the field so everybody touched the ball and had a good time. For the more advanced TOPSoccer players, the higher level of play enabled them to be at their best while for the less experienced kids, they saw how soccer should be played and gave them ideas and a pathway to improve.

Bob concluded by saying, “Our partner players did a great job involving all the players plus helped them with positioning. Everyone had a great time and is very interested in pursuing Unified play when we resume next spring.”

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/

Volunteering With TOPSoccer Led to a Career in Special Ed

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

October 28, 2025-Jocelyn Davis always wanted to become a teacher. Then known as Jocelyn Grafstein, she started volunteering as a teenager with the Smithtown Kickers’ TOPSoccer Program for four years around the turn of the millennium. TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program for Soccer) is a US Youth Soccer initiative that gives the opportunity to play soccer to those who are differently-abled.

“I always wanted to be a teacher and I think that Smithtown TOPSoccer is what sealed the deal to become a Special Ed teacher,” Jocelyn explained. “It truly is what I was meant to do and I absolutely love it!”

Smithtown TOPSoccer, now run by Bob Kinney, was led by Ronnie Whalen and Sue Rapp when Jocelyn was a teen. For her Senior Project at Smithtown High School in 2001 (before the community was divided into East and West high schools), Jocelyn organized a TOPSoccer tournament that May with up to 10 teams and 150 athletes having fun at the New York Avenue School. Helping Jocelyn pull this off were Ronnie and Sue, Jocelyn’s teenage friends plus her parents, Howard and Mary Pat Grafstein.

Howard was Jocelyn’s longtime coach with the Smithtown Kickers in the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL), the largest league in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA).

“Dad was my coach forever!” Jocelyn said. “During this time, I babysat for families who were part of TOPSoccer which helped solidify that this is what my calling is and I absolutely love working with the kids!”

Jocelyn is now a Bronx resident, has been a Special Ed teacher for 21 years with the past 19 years at PS/MS 194 in the Bronx.

“I volunteer for a program called Autism on the Seas where I spend my school and summer breaks helping families with Special Needs children and adults have a nice vacation with assistance from this non-profit organization.”

Jocelyn coached lacrosse for a decade at the Ursuline School and Eastchester High School, she coached soccer at Ursuline plus ran a soccer program at the Bronx YMCA for six years.

She took up the whistle and has been refereeing US Soccer youth games plus school games in the Bronx and Westchester consistently for the past five years, and her involvement with soccer came full circle when she refereed the Special Olympics on October 11 on Randall’s Island.

Interested in also volunteering with TOPSoccer like Jocelyn did or even starting a program? Then contact Lauren Lee, Eastern New York’s TOPSoccer Director, at llee@enysoccer.com or 516-538-7303 and she will tell you how to get started.

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/

A Very Special Day!

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

September 26, 2025-Soccer continues to develop in the United States and just one example is Children With Special Needs are now using organized plays on restarts.

The Special Olympics’ Fall Games were played at Cantiague Park in Hicksville on Saturday, September 20 under beautiful, sunny skies.

The Special Olympics offer 30+ individual and team sports for people with intellectual challenges in over 170 countries. It was founded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver and the first event was held at Soldier Field in Chicago on July 20, 1968, just six weeks after her brother Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated.

A decade later in 1978, two Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) clubs, the Huntington Boys Club (HBC) and Massapequa Soccer Club, separately started programs for Children With Special Needs. That was the beginning of what is now known as TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program for Soccer), a US Youth Soccer initiative that gives the opportunity to play soccer to those who are differently-abled.

While both the Special Olympics and TOPSoccer focus on participation, fun and fundamentals, no standings are kept in TOPSoccer while the Special Olympics give out gold, silver and bronze medals.

Over 400 athletes participated in the Special Olympics’ Fall Games in soccer, softball, cross country, bocce and golf. Players from the athletic program of nearby SUNY-Old Westbury College added to the scores of volunteers and made the day even more festive.

Nine teams from Long Island, New York City and the Hudson Valley participated in the soccer competition, the largest number ever. Those nine squads were seven Special teams and two Unified Teams (consisting of those differently-abled and not). Some players at the Special Olympics were from TOPSoccer programs of the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA).

A good time was had by all, including with the refs from the Long Island Soccer Referees Association (LISRA) who officiated the Fall Games just as they have been doing for nearly three decades.

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 TOPSoccer Concludes the Spring Season With Smiles

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

July 3, 2025-The Staten Island Youth Soccer League (SIYSL), the southernmost league in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA), has a vibrant TOPSoccer Program.

TOPSoccer, The Outreach Program for Soccer, is a recreational program for children and adults with intellectual, emotional or physical challenges that is offered through soccer leagues and clubs under the US Youth Soccer umbrella. Staten Island TOPSoccer started nearly two decades ago and is now being led by the very enthusiastic Jerrier Atassi.

TOPSoccer in blue and St. Charles Diamond Strikers in red.

Jerry had some additional help on Saturday, June 21 as players from the Girls-Under-12 St. Charles Diamond Strikers came to Owl Hollow Fields to hand out trophies their club donated to the TOPSoccer players.

“I want my players to see that there is more to life than Snapchat, TikTok and shopping at the mall,” stated Diamond Strikers head coach Chris Haynes. “We played an informal game and my Diamond Strikers and the TOPSoccer players had an amazing time, even though it was hot! The trophies we handed out put a smile on their faces.”

For more info about Staten Island TOPSoccer or to register your child, please contact Jerrier Atassi at jerrier.atassi@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 US Youth Soccer. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/

The Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League to Start a TOPSoccer Program

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

January 23, 2025-The origins of Special Children playing soccer can be traced back to the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) in 1978. Today, the Capital District Youth Soccer League (CDYSL), Hudson Valley Youth Soccer League (HVYSL), Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) and Staten Island Youth Soccer League (SIYSL) in Eastern New York all have Special Children’s programs, which is now known as TOPSoccer, The Outreach Program for Soccer.

TOPSoccer is a US Youth Soccer initiative that offers children and adults with intellectual, emotional and physical challenges the chance to play soccer in a supportive and structured environment.

Now, America’s oldest soccer league, the Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League (CJSL), is getting in on all the fun. New York City originals since 1933, the CJSL is happy to announce that registration is now open for their new TOPSoccer Program.

Whether you’re registering as a Participant or a Buddy, this is an event you won’t want to miss!

CJSL 1-Day TOPSoccer Pilot Event
Sunday, February 23, 2025 from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm
At the SoccerRoof in Sunset Park (14b 53rd St, Brooklyn, NY)
For Boys and Girls players, 7–12 years old
Entirely FREE of charge

Wear:

· Soccer cleats or sneakers

· Shin guards (if possible)

· Weather-appropriate athletic wear for indoor soccer (player T-shirts will be provided!)

Bring:

· A soccer ball (if you have one, otherwise the good folks of the CJSL will provide one)

· Water for breaks

· Participant Registration: REGISTER HERE

· Buddy Registration: REGISTER HERE

Buddy Details:

· Buddies must be in 6th grade or older.

· Responsibilities include assisting players, keeping them engaged and ensuring they have fun!

· Buddy Training: Required online and before the pilot event.

Buddies will receive a letter for Volunteer/Community Service hours, perfect for meeting school requirements. Encourage the older players in soccer clubs to join this very rewarding experience!

For more info, please contact the CJSL at 718-491-4009.

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/

Top 10 Reasons Why Over 100,000 Kids Play Soccer in Eastern New York

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

January 7, 2025-Over 100,000 children and teenagers, from the East End of Long Island to the Canadian border, play soccer in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA). Although some have gone on to play professional soccer plus in the World Cup and Olympics, all have learned the value of teamwork, perseverance, sportsmanship and getting along with others through the life lessons they have learned on our soccer fields. Here are the Top 10 Reasons why we have so many players:

1. State Cup. Eastern New York has two levels of the State Cup––the State Open Cup and the Challenge Cup––so every premier and travel team in Eastern New York has a chance to win a state championship. Both competitions try to schedule games against local opponents as much as possible for this springtime competition. Chris Armas won the State Cup while competing for the Brentwood Bandits and went on to play and coach professional soccer. He had 66 caps while playing for the US Men’s National Team and will be inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame on May 3.

2. National Championship. For ambitious teams looking to play against top competition and possibly win a national championship, they can do it through the State Open Cup as it’s part of the National Championship Series. After winning the State Open Cup, they would move on to Regionals and potentially Nationals. Or they could become a national champ through the US Youth Soccer National League. The top teams earn advancement to the Regionals as well as a chance to earn a coveted spot in the National Tier of the Leagues Program.

Crystal Dunn in the gray dress surrounded by her adoring fans. Photo courtesy of Crystal Dunn.

3. Olympic Development Program. ODP is considered the highest level of competition in each state association. Every year, players must be re-evaluated by the ODP professional staff of coaches for a position on each age-specific team. The identification process ends each summer with the most elite players within the East Region competing for a position on the regional team. Players are then identified by US Soccer staff coaches for possible entry to the national team program. Yet even those players who do not make the regional or the national teams often use ODP as a springboard to college scholarships and even on to professional soccer. Current US Women’s National Team players Sam Coffey, Crystal Dunn, Claire Hutton and Phallon Tullis-Joyce played in Eastern New York ODP as teenagers.

TOPSoccer at the Burr Road Soccer Complex in Commack, Photo courtesy of the Long Island Junior Soccer League.

4. TOPSoccer. This is a wonderful program for Children With Special Needs. Special Children playing soccer in an organized league actually started in Eastern New York back in 1978 when the Huntington Boys Club (HBC) and Massapequa Soccer Club separately started programs in an era when Special Children playing sports is not as accepted as it is today. Craig Ludin, who has Down’s Syndrome and has been playing for HBC since he was a young boy, received so many medals in the Special Olympics that he was inducted into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame over a decade ago. Craig’s teammate John Cronin started a very successful local business, John’s Crazy Socks, with his father Mark. Volunteers are always needed for this great program and you do not know what happens until you begin. The Manhasset Soccer Club’s Owen McCormack will be honored this month by US Youth Soccer as the National TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year for 2024.

5. Futsal. Futsal is the only version of indoor soccer approved by FIFA, soccer’s world governing body. The surface, ball and rules together favor ball control in small spaces and futsal is increasingly cited in the discussion on how to improve player development, particularly in the winter months here in Eastern New York when outdoor fields can be frozen and unplayable. Both New York Futsal and the Long Island Futsal League play under the Eastern New York umbrella and both are very active with league play this winter.

6. Risk Management. To protect our players, Eastern New York conducts background checks on coaches and referees before they participate in our games. They must pass this background check every two years to continue to be involved in our competitions. Eastern New York also provides awareness education to coaches and referees, communicating information regarding field and player safety.

7. Coaching Education. Under the supervision of Eastern New York Director of Coaching Tim Bradbury, the coaching licensing curriculum provides all soccer coaches, from the beginner to the advanced, with up-to-date theoretical and practical knowledge so that Eastern New York coaches can help our players develop to their full potential. Coaches can earn state and national coaching credentials plus the courses offer valuable information and current coaching trends state-wide, nationally and internationally. All courses are available in both English and Spanish.

8. SAT and ACT Prep Courses. Eastern New York provides exclusive, free access to acclaimed SAT and ACT prep courses from eKnowledge, which is normally a $250 value. These courses can be taken online or via DVD, which makes them ideal for our busy student/athletes. Contact Siokbee Usaraga at siokbee@eknowledge.com

9. College Scholarships. Every summer, Eastern New York awards college scholarships to help defray the cost of college for deserving high school seniors. Five Eastern New York leagues––Capital District Youth Soccer League, Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League, East Hudson Youth Soccer League, Long Island Junior Soccer League and the Staten Island Youth Soccer League––all have separate scholarship programs as well.

10. Support of All Leagues, Players, Coaches and Refs. Eastern New York provides insurance for all its competitions, hosts referee certification and recertification, promotes member leagues and helped secure a new turf soccer field at Big Bush Park in Woodside that started play in autumn 2023.

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/

Manhasset’s Owen McCormack Selected as the National TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year

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

December 3, 2024-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is thrilled to announce that our TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year, Owen McCormack, has been selected by US Youth Soccer as the National TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year. Owen will be honored at the US Youth Soccer Workshop in Chicago and the Eastern New York Hall of Fame Banquet in New York City, both in January.

TOPSoccer stands for The Outreach Program for Soccer, providing an opportunity for children with intellectual, physical and/or social characteristics that may require modified educational practices and services in order to develop to their potential.

Owen has volunteered with the Manhasset Soccer Club’s Adaptive Program since the 9th Grade, the earliest that the club allows student volunteers. Due to his dedication to TOPSoccer, he was appointed Director of Student Volunteers in the 10th Grade. Owen recruits volunteers from Manhasset High School’s varsity and junior varsity soccer programs as well as the rest of the student population.

The Manhasset resident is responsible for creating the schedule at the start of the season and communicates with students and their families to ensure that every child with special needs receives the attention they deserve. During practices, Owen takes the initiative in guiding new volunteers. His positive energy and inclusive nature has helped build strong relationships with players and their families.

Additionally, Owen reaches out to a special education teacher in a neighboring school district to offer her students participation in Manhasset’s Adaptive Program as there, unfortunately, is no such program in her town.

In addition to being a leader with TOPSoccer for the past three years, Owen is a leader at Manhasset High School, volunteering as the Student Government Class Treasurer in the 9th, 10th and 11th Grades and organizing events promoting school spirit, fundraising and community engagement. Owen also volunteers at St. Francis Hospital and for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). He was selected as team co-captain of the 2024 LLS Student Visionaries of the Year Campaign on Long Island.

Owen grew up playing in the Manhasset Soccer Club in both the intramural and travel team programs, has been a player for Eastern New York’s Olympic Development Program (ODP) for the past three years and also currently plays for the East Meadow Soccer Club and Manhasset High School.

This is the second time in the past six years that a teenager from Eastern New York has been selected as National TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year as Jessica Lee received this huge honor in 2019.

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/

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/

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/

Staten Island’s Growing TOPSoccer Program Has Kicked Off Its Spring Season

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

April 30, 2024-Over three dozen registered players and countless volunteers make up TOPSoccer in the Staten Island Youth Soccer League (SIYSL), the southernmost league in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA).

TOPSoccer, The Outreach Program for Soccer, is a recreational program for children and adults with intellectual, emotional or physical challenges that is offered through soccer clubs under the US Youth Soccer umbrella. Staten Island TOPSoccer started nearly two decades ago and is now being led by the very enthusiastic Jerrier Atassi, who coaches 39 registered players from ages 4 to 29.

They play every Saturday at 3 pm at Owl Hollow Fields, having kicked off on April 20 and continuing until June 8.

“I would like to recognize our volunteer coaches: James and Matthew Funk; Carlo, Joseph and Lessa Hayes; Mark and Stella Vrapi; my wife Loraine Atassi plus multiple parents,” Jerrier said.

For more information and to register your son or daughter, please contact him at jerrier.atassi@gmail.com

If you live outside Staten Island and would like to register your child with a club closer to you or want info on how to start a program, e-mail ENYYSA TOPSoccer Chairperson Lauren Lee at llee@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/