Week I
The West Haven Youth Soccer League opened the fall season with both the Recreation and Travel divisions getting in their first games. Taco Town came out strong in their first game of the fall season against the Grey Stars Ice Cream, with the two teams drawing, 7-7. Christopher Romero had an outstanding game, scoring five goals. Sabri Abdelmageed scored on a penalty kick. Daimeon Griffin had great follow through, scoring the final goal off a rebound from another penalty kick. Nathan Zamora showed great effort in goal, making several big saves. Milano & Wanat opened their season with a tough 5-0 loss to the experienced Wizard Painting Blues. Jordaniel Dejsus Colon, Julio Arroyo Palafox, and Cameron Durand all put in a solid effort for Milano & Wanat.
The Lorenzo’s Ristorante Italiano Green Beans defeated Stars Ice Cream, 3-1. The Green Beans were led by Chelsea Hernandez-Fortia with two goals and Ariana Tolentino with one goal. Yousra Moussa and Pierce Payton both played well in the goal. The opening game for the U15 boys saw the West Haven Professional Firefighters compete against a very strong WH Federation of Teachers team. The final score was 8-5 with the WH Professional Firefighters falling to the competition. The West Haven Professional Firefighters were led offensively by the outstanding all around play of Doniel Agustin, Rida Saanon and David Govea. The defense was led by Nazih Mahaini, Salim Mahaini and Abayomi Olatunji who held up against a very good attack. The Firefighters will look to rebound next week.
Thorough Restoration fell to Porto Funeral Home, 7-4. Anthony Gambardella was quick with the ball scoring two goals 90 seconds apart. Noah Catlin gave his all and played his hardest. Jeremiah Davila, Alexander Charney, and Ace Hemming all continued to defend the goal and move the ball up the field giving plenty of scoring opportunities.
West Haven Police Local 895 played West Shore Family Dental, losing 5-1. Sofie Burns and Angeliza Davila worked together on the defensive line. Brianna Villafane and Justine Davila came out of their comfort zones to play goalie. Jiliana Dearce scored the only goal of the game for the Police. Rilee Lanci and Savannalee Wolod continually pressed the ball to give their team opportunities to take shots on goal. The Dillman & Dillman Green Grasshoppers came from behind to squeak out a win 6-5 over Elsie Encarnacion State Farm Insurance. Dylan Fonesca and Jude Charles had three goals apiece. Sergio Salinas Jara and Boden Rogers each showed aggressiveness and determination in their pursuit of the ball.
In travel team action, the Cappetta’s Italian Imports U14 girls started off the season on the road in Ansonia where they took home a 2-1 win. Excellent teamwork and passing skills from Gillian Wynus and Stella Porto and defense by Alivia Reilly lead West Haven to have the field advantage. Kylie Gibbons scored for Westies.
The Elite Soccer Camps U11 Boys Travel team hosted New Haven Saturday afternoon and won, 6-2.
Ryan Abekah led the scoring, with Luca DeCresenzo, Roland Green, and Ethan Fonseca finding the back of the net as well. Jaxon Cruz and Jacob Rader split the time in goal, with both making key saves in the win. The defense was anchored by Seth Empric, Colin Gibbons, Adam Lamkhantar, Jax Guarino, and Ben Trenchard. Julian Castillo and Matteo D’Elia dominated the center of the field, playing passes through for the forwards to run onto. Taha Ozhan and Joey Ruiz worked hard on the flanks in support of the attack and the defense.
Week II
The U14 girls gravel team fought a tough battle against Wallingford on Saturday, falling short, 8-2. A penalty shot from Luciana Cappetta and a goal by Celeste DiNallo put West Haven on the board. Arianna Throm worked hard in defense to clear the ball.
The West Haven boys U11 team had a pair of away games this past weekend. On Saturday, they went to Ansonia and won, 5-0. The Westies came out strong and got the early lead, with Joseph Ruiz capping off the scoring. Ben Trenchard played well on defense, winning the ball and playing good passes. Taha Ozhan hustled on the flank and Luca DeCresenzo was calm on the ball and held up possession.
On Sunday, the boys traveled to North Haven in their first league game of the season, winning 7-4. Ryan Abekah opened up the scoring, and despite the strong play of Jaxon Cruz, the boys found themselves down 3-2 at the half. A strong second half with goals from Roland Green, Mason DaSilva, and Ethan Fonseca leapt the Westies to the victory. Jacob Rader, Seth Empric, and Collin Gibbons were strong on defense. Julian Castillo and Adam Lamkhantar had a great game in the midfield.
The Elite Soccer Green Grasshoppers scored in the last seconds to squeak out the win over the Milano & Wanat, 3-2. Dylan Fonseca scored two goals and picked up an assist. In general, the team played very well with three new players, Benjamin Perez, Josiah Reyes and Fernando Burgos Rodriguez, giving a great effort in their career opening game. Milan Angi stopped every drive on defense and goalkeeper Ryan Dos Santos held the opponents scoreless in the first half.
The West Haven Professional Firefighters faced off against Stars Ice Cream. While the final results were not what the WH Professional Firefighters would have hoped, there was still plenty of praise to be offered as the team gets stronger with every passing week.
The team was led offensively by strong performances from Jayden Williams, Farid Saibou and Mohamed Omar. Leading the defense was Anas Osman, Ibrahim Osman and Malakh Edwards. Joe Sperry Jr. contributed with several spectacular saves.
The Pro Acc & Tax Service Lightning Fairies overpowered Nick’s Luncheonette, 11-5. Ria Sharma hustled throughout the game and used her foot skills to help gain control and move the ball up the field. Avalyn Wilder, Savannah Gilchrist, and Katherine Samaniego all scored hat tricks.
Aria Kingsley and Adrianna Thomas also scored and played strong defense.