U9 Vikings 2, East Fishkill 0
U9 Vikings, Beacon 0
Cornwall 3, U11 Strikers 2

U9 Vikings Top East Fishkill, Beacon

It was a weekend of wins for the Boys’ U9 Vikings who had much to celebrate as they concluded their debut season with back-to-back victories and a season-end party graciously hosted by Robert and Susan Choi.

Before Saturday’s team party, the Vikings bested the East Fishkill Extreme in a hard-fought, competitive make-up match at home. A sly goal by Elias Moran put the Vikings up 1-0 at half time, but the Extreme leveled the tight match 1-1 in the second half. Determined to avoid yet another tie, the Vikings offense searched for and found another gear before the match concluded.

When the Extreme goalie deflected an attempted shot by Elias Moran, striker Parker Larsen pounced on the lose ball and scored easily to secure an impressive 2-1 Vikings win.

On Sunday, the Vikings hosted the Beacon Braves and the true scope of this team’s improvement was on full display. From the first whistle, the Vikings’ defense stymied their opponent and their offense overwhelmed the Braves.

It was a cohesive Viking effort from a team that had saved its best for last. Not only did the Vikings shut down all attempts by the Braves to score, but they sunk the ball into the Braves’ net four times before the match ended in a convincing 4-0 Vikings win.

Elias Moran is credited with two Vikings goals, while Parker Larsen and Darwin Saquipay each contributed a goal of their own in the victory. But, victories are not only about scoring or winning. This team’s success is the result of teamwork. Without Joey DeMarco, Kiyoshi Tomizawa, Jack Fitzgerald, Rhys Williams, Joey Smith, Oliver Choi and goalie Patrick Shields, these results would not be possible.

Thanks to the coaches and hard-working boys, the Vikings end their first season with a 4-3-3 record, an accomplishment in which they can all take great pride.

Storm Finish Fall Season at Home

The U9 boys Storm Team finished off their fall season with a bang. They played with great passion, determination and soared with an unbridled spirit.

The defensive dynamic duo of Griffin Lucca and Lincoln Wayland were so impressive and provided quality stops every chance they could. They were gutsy and fearless in some tough moments. Goalies Theo Saks and Connor Keegan denied countless would be goals and fearlessly plunged themselves into harms way to retrieve the shots that should have otherwise gone in.

Pulling it all together and gelling the midfield with great panache and orchestrating some fine plays, almost scoring two brilliant goals were: Jack Ferreira, Christopher Kordaris, and Gavin Mahoney who each hustled all over the field. The day really belonged to the tireless and composed, exceptional and precise passing and dribbling displayed by Lenny Wolfe and Marco Dilello. Dilello nailed his second goal of the season, with a right crossing shot that went through most of the Shrub Oak Rebels squad.

Unfortunately, the Rebels overpowered Team Storm and managed to outscore them in the end. Team Storm finished their fall season with two impressive wins and with so much confidence knowing they can play any team and hold their own. Head Coach Peter Sanders and Assistant Coach John Hedlund were very impressed with the talent, character, growth, and passion the players showed all season.

Despite Loss, Strikers End Season on High Note

What a day the Strikers had on Nov. 19, as they played on their home field for the last time this season. Coaches Danielle Pack McCarthy and Kristina DiGiglio urged their players to play with heart and to come out in full force.

That’s exactly what they did, despite being down two players. Parents from both sides were on their feet for much of the exciting game against Cornwall. Trajan McCarthy and Jake Powers took the lead early with strong offense, with full support from Jake Thomas. Defensemen Jeremy Hall, Vlad Saban and Luca DiLello took good care of Goalie Frankie DiGiglio, who blocked numerous shots from Cornwall with his entire body.

Meanwhile, Liam Gaugler and Max Westphal worked the field, with fantastic footwork and aggressive passing. It was all about the Jakes, though, with both Powers and Thomas sending goals into the net. Throughout the second half, the team did not back down, though in the final minutes of the game, Cornwall pulled one ahead, with the game ending almost immediately after at 3-2, Cornwall.

The boys were incredibly emotional, but the left the field that afternoon knowing they put everything out there. Well done, Strikers!

Phoenix Travel to Red Hook for Final Game

The Philipstown Phoenix finished an inaugural season – one that saw incredible growth, accomplishment, and fun – with the longest trip of the season up the Taconic to Red Hook.

Always tough matches, the Red Hook teams are well coached, highly skilled, and energetic, and this time proved no different. Once again playing without substitutes, the Phoenix were led up front by Lyla Chandler, Zohra Kapoor, Josie Foley-Hedlund, and, starting in a new position, Laurel Sassano.

Backing them up on defense were Ada Caccamise, Amelia Alayon, Kira Drury and Sofia Rasic with Sophie Tomlins in goal. The girls showed some good distribution passing – with wingers Zohra and Laurel receiving nice passes up from their defensive partners – however an aggressive and talented Red Hook defense kept the Phoenix from making much progress.

The highlight of the game certainly came when Josie was able to make a pass across the mouth of the Red Hook goal to Ada, who was well-positioned but not able to connect with a shot on net.

For a team that featured only three girls who had played soccer before, it was a good season that laid a foundation for future success. All the girls should be proud of themselves for trying something new, learning a brand new game, and coming together and competing as a team.

Behind The Story

Type: News

News: Based on facts, either observed and verified directly by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.

Articles attributed to "staff" are written by the editor or a senior editor. This is typically because they are brief items based on a single source, such as a press release, or there are multiple contributors, such as a collection of photos.