Columbus Day Weekend West Haven Youth Soccer hosted the WHIT, an annual tournament for travel teams. This year’s addition saw 60 teams from all over the state participate. The U15 West Haven girls travel team took home the WHIT Championship with a 4-0 winning streak throughout the weekend. They started with a tough battle against New Haven. Alivia Reilly led the defense and Kylee McCoart had strong passing skills through the midfield. A hat trick by Stella Porto led West Haven to a 3-1 win. A match against Hamden saw excellent teamwork and goals by Naomi Shubin, Lulu Sebas, Arianna Throm, and Stella Porto.
West Haven took home a 4-0 win. On Sunday, a match against Stratford ended in a 3-1 win with goals by Luciana Cappetta, Stella Porto, and Kylie Gibbons. The championship game versus Ansonia ended in a 3-0 shutout. Olivia Petrie and Lulu Sebas made several excellent saves in goal. Celeste DiNallo, Arianna Throm, and Stella Porto all put one in the net for West Haven.
The West Haven U11 boys travel team also captured the WHIT Championship in its age bracket this year. On Saturday, the boys opened the tournament with a 6-0 win against New Haven. Ryan Abekah scored and was a scoring threat all weekend long. Joseph Ruiz rounded out the scoring with a brilliant one-timer into the bottom corner of the goal. Ben Trenchard, Jacon Rader, and Collin Gibbons were all solid on defense to help goalie Jaxon Cruz preserve the shut-out. In game two on Saturday, the Westies took on Hamden, coming away with a 7-1 win. Luca DeCresenzo scored, as did Seth Empric scored off of a Abekah pass. Taha Ozhan played well in the midfield. Julian Castillo slotted home a penalty kick after being taken out in the box as he weaved his way around three defenders.
The first game on Sunday saw the Westies defeat Guilford White, 5-1. Roland Green received the ball in his own half and dribbled the length of the field before finishing off the move with a goal. Ethan Fonseca and Mason DaSilva ran the middle of the field, and both scored to lead the Westies to the win. The last game of the group stage saw West Haven take on North Branford, winning 5-0, to book their place in the finals. Adam Lamkhantar scored from the midfield in the win, as the defense and goalie were once again stellar to keep the shut-out. The U11 boys’ final saw the Westies take on Guilford Green. The match was highly competitive, and the Westies eventually came out on top, 4-3. Ryan Abekah continued to be a threat, scoring two goals. Lamkhantar added one off of a brilliant free kick. Rader, Gibbons, Trenchard, Empric, and Ruiz played lock-down defense, stifling Guilford’s chances. Fonseca and Castillo controlled the center of midfield, while Green and DeCresenzo worked hard on the flanks. Cruz made several key stops to help the Westies take home the title. The West Haven U11 and U12 girls travel teams also brought home the championships in their divisions.
Saturday’s early game action saw the West Haven Professional Firefighters notch a victory in a tightly contested battle over Taco Town. The final score was 5-2, with Rida Saanon leading the way in goals. Midfielder Eddie Fagnani had an exceptional game with his crisp passing setting up numerous plays. Not to be outdone, Salim Mahaini was equally strong creating opportunities. Anchoring the defense was Abraham Marmol and Ghassan Nasr. Jayden Williams was a ball hawk on the defensive line.
The cold rain pelted the players’ faces but did not dampen their spirits as the Elite Soccer Camps Irish Green played to a 1-1 tie against Cappetta’s Italian Imports. Exceptional goalkeeping was on display by Dylan Fonesca. Solid offensive play by Angelo Mendieta and Jude Charles led to the sole goal. Savannah Gilchrist scored once and attempted many shots as the RQ Pro Acc and Tax Services Lightning Fairies took on Nick’s Luncheonette. Avalyn Wilder blocked multiple goals and scored one goal. LilithBelle Warcholic was strong on defense and quick to bring the ball up the field. Mariah Casteel played with a positive attitude the entire game despite the rain.
The U14 girls travel team were back in action the weekend after the WHIT as they went on the road to Milford on Saturday, where they took home a 5-0 win. West Haven had excellent teamwork on the field and goals by Alivia Riley, Arianna Throm, Kylie Gibbons, and Francesca DeMartino.
The West Haven U11 boys travel team rounded out the weekend’s action, falling 3-2 to Coginchaug in Middelfield. Jax Guarino worked hard to keep the ball and get it forward, as Jacob Rader and Collin Gibbons once again anchored the defense and put in a solid effort. Ben Trenchard also played well on defense, and made several good passes as his team played out of the back. Ryan Abekah scored both goals, despite being man marked by the opposing team.