There was a lot of soccer action this weekend, as most teams played Saturday and Sunday to start to make-up games from all the rain earlier in the season. The West Haven U-19 girls travel team was in Cheshire Saturday afternoon to play Cheshire and came away with a dominating performance winning, 4-0. Julia Merola worked her magic as the goalkeeper, controlling the defense from her end of the field. The defensive line of Aerin McLaughlin, Amanda Tsakonas, Angela Borelli and Lauren Panza shut down Cheshire’s attacks. On the other side of the field, Selena Izzo, Jessica Robinson, Maddy Molster, Jaylen Chandler, and Kawtar Nadama worked the middle of the field, setting up numerous scoring chances. Molster banged a rebound into the goal and Robinson also scored. Shelby Gagne picked up the other two goals. The team had a quick turn-around, as they were back in action Sunday night against Wallingford. Despite playing hard, the Westies came up short, 2-0. Grace Nowak and Riley Collins worked hard on defense, while Taylor Nowak and Sinead Donnelly played well in the midfield. Sophia Gigliotti played strong, but was shut down by the Wallingford defense.
The Bar Code U-9 girls beat Southington, 4-3, on Saturday. Kylie Gibbons scored three goals and Sophia Empric scored one. Strong games were played by Sophia Locklear and Jada Ciliberti on defense. Lynnie Chesson showed speed and Haleigh McCarthy hustle. The Westies returned to action Sunday, losing to Prospect, 4-3. Goals were scored by Arianna Throm, Sophia Empric and Kylie Gibbons. Hailey Dargon showed good hustle as a forward and Lynnie Chesson was strong in goal while Jada Ciliberti played tough defense.
The George Ellis Company, Inc. U-19 boys played three times this weekend. On Friday, they crashed out of the Connecticut Cup losing, 2-1, to South Windsor. Santiago Moreno scored, but it was not enough. Saturday evening, the boys returned to action with a scrappy, but banged up squad to face Wallingford. The boys fought hard, with Matthew Bello and Thomas Mazzara leading the defense and John McLaughlin worked hard in goal for the full game, but they lost, 4-0.
On Sunday, the team played New Haven. Murtaza Amjad, Jason Ardito, and Walter Trigueros played well. The second half opened saw the Westies get two goals from Bernard Ocansey and Phillip Smith within seven minutes of play. New Haven was able to respond and the game ended 2-2.
The Elite Soccer Camps U-14 girls went to Orange Saturday afternoon, playing well but losing, 3-1. The Westies moved the ball well, but were defeated by the long-ball play of Orange, as Orange dumped it deep for speedy players to rush onto. Camryn Beauvais and Camryn Flaherty both had excellent games, as did the midfield of Olivia Trenchard, Ariana Izzo, Abigail Phelan and Emma Walker. Julia Tsakonas tried to create scoring chances for the Westies, and Cynthia Burns and Josephina Lakaj both worked hard as well.
The U-12 Thunder girls also went to Orange on Saturday, and came away with a better result, winning, 3-1. The Thunder started the game well and, defensively, were very strong, with the defense anchored by Madden Evangeliste, Jayden Braacker and Isabella Melissano. Despite going down 1-0 early, the Westies responded well, creating many chances with Angelina Messina, Michelle Ceja, Arya Mulmi and Amyah Kelly being positive on the ball and running with the ball constantly at the Orange defense, with the effort paying off and the score being tied at 1-1 at the half. Orange came out strong in the second half, but Sydni Gayle made several key stops in the goal to keep the score level. Bellarose Ramirez rotated well in the defense and also did well bringing the ball forward in the attack.
The girls kept up the pressure in the game with Madyson Ortiz causing problems every time she got the ball, and Amanda Fagnani and Sarahi Cruz-Cruz put in solid shifts working hard to win the ball back and moved the ball well up the field. The last 10 minutes the Westies dominated the game, and finally took the lead through Amyah Kelly has she completed her hat-trick with two minutes remaining to secure the win.
The Elite Soccer Camps U-12 Lightning girls played two tough games this weekend, losing both. On Saturday, the Lightning fell to league leaders North Haven, 3-1. The Lightning had stretched where they played very well against a highly skilled opponent, but in the end, North Haven was able to put it away. Cashlin O’Neill made several stellar saves, and Niamh Chesson was dominate on defense, shutting down her side of the field. Alexandria Nunes worked to try to create chances for her team, and Aylin Soto and Jaylyn Powell combined well in the middle of the field. Molly Gunning also worked hard in the loss.
On Sunday, the Lightning lost a heartbreaker to Milford, 4-3. The Lightning went up early, when Etta Funke nailed home a Nunes rebounded shot. The score went back and forth throughout the match. Chloe Whelan, Adelicia Parise, and Sophie Mazuroski played well on defense, while Ashlynn Trenchard had a very strong game on the flank, working hard to get back defensively and making some key passes going forward. Lyanna Griffith-Waite also had a very good game, shutting down Milford counters and getting forward to help the attack. Jaylyn Beauvais was aggressive throughout the game.
The Porto Funeral Homes U-10 girl’s took on Southington at home on Saturday. Lia Powers and Kaylee Pellino put on good pressure at mid-field and Valentina DeMartino had many saves in goal. Michelle Mora-Cyrus netted the first goal of the game for the Westies. Goals were also scored by Camilla Murphy, Bella Antonucci and Lexi Lucas. Strong defense for the Westies was played by Daniela Bazar. The pressure was too much for Southington and the Westies took the 5-0 win.
The Keenan Funeral Home Yellow Jackets squared off on Saturday with Cappetta’s Italian Imports. Alivia Reilly played a great game in goal, allowing only one goal. Jayda Ciliberti played a solid defensive game and also scored her first goal of the season. Goals were also scored by Cristel Miguel, Madison Gargiulo and Lexi Lucas. The game ended with a 6-1 final score. The two teams played for a second time this weekend on Sunday afternoon. The Yellow Jackets squeaked by with a 2-0 win. Madison Gargiulo made some amazing saves for her first time in goal. First half ended in a scoreless tie. With the pressure on in the second half, Lexi Lucas scored two goals with one goal as time expired. A solid game was played by all team players.
On Saturday, the Nick’s Luncheonette Dragons beat the Jason Ranalli Killer Bees, 5-3. The Dragons fought hard to get the win with Alexander Hulse, Jaden Prates and Mark Zhuno doing great on defence. On Sunday, the Dragons were back in action, taking on Oyster River Energy, with the Dragons losing, 9-7. Ahmed Hashem, Jaden Abekah and Holden Napoletano played a good game.
On Saturday, the Blue Bruisers played the Stars Ice Cream Warriors losing, 5-0. Ashley Estrada-Juarez is new to soccer and was able to use her skills from other sports she plays on the soccer field. Olivia Moretti took multiple shots on goal. For the Warriors, Maryorie Hernandez-Fortin got the hat trick, and Nada El Mouki and Aliana Tepetl each scored. Jade Rivas Resyley and Heydi Leiua-Paluna both played great defense.
The West Haven Federation of Teachers Local 1542 Mini Blueberries played the Cappetta’s Italian Imports Polar Bears on Saturday. It was a close game as the Mini Blueberries trailed most of the game. Jasine Mills pushed the ball up the field and Anne Charles used her footskills to stop the momentum of the opposing offense enabling her team to score and win their first game the season, 4-3.
The two teams played each other again Sunday afternoon. Isabella Cooper played aggressive, continually stopping the Polar Bears’ momentum. Karine Davila played defensively and was able to turn the ball around. Aaliyah Powers was able to pass the ball down the field for her team. Despite all the Mini Blueberries’ efforts, they lost the game 5-0. For the Polar Bears, Kiley McCoart was strong on defense while Annabelle Fiorillo and Aliana Wilson scored for the team.
The Top Hat Dance Academy Shamrocks played a tough game against the Italian-American Civic Assn, losing, 8-5. Jazleen Urbaez, Kendall Gilchrist and Yulisa Leica-Palma played well on defense, blocking four of their opponent’s goals and Taliah Boykin had a nice steal. Ariel Titus scored five goals with great passes from her teammates.
The two teams played the rematch on Sunday, and it was a great defensive game. Ariel Titus scored while Klara Frost, Kendall Gilchrist and Sihaya Robinson played strong defense. Olivia Egraca hustled down the field, almost scoring. In the end the Shamrocks lost, 4-7. Sweet Relief Catering lost a hard-fought game, 6-1, against the Stars Ice Cream Hulks. Tyler Geer showed excellent sportsmanship and good defense, while Jacob Smalls, and Brandon and Christopher Hernandez showed some strong play on the field.
The Golden Dragons played two games this weekend. In the first game they played the Blue Smurfs, with the game ending in a 2-2 draw. Dante Reynoso and Raymond Listorti both scored, and a great job on defense was displayed by Kyle Guarino. On Sunday, the Golden Dragons picked up a 4-1 victory over Milano & Wanat. Gabriel Greengas, Brendan Spreyer, Dante Reynoso and Eddie Fagnani. Great footwork was on display from Evan Lannon.
The Elite Soccer Camps Blue Sharks played twice this weekend against West Haven Police Local 895. The teams tied, 8-8, on Saturday and the Sharks won, 10-6, on Sunday. Ben Trenchard, Seth Empric, Luca Decresenzo and Matteo D’Elia all scored multiple goals in each game. Andrew Hulse and Alexander Knuth both showed a lot of hard work, and Lorenzo Daniele made a few great passes. Emmet Hemming picked up a goal and Jax Guarino used his speed to shut down a number of counter attacks over the course of the two games for the Sharks. For the Police Local, Maxwell Taylor, Jacob Rader, Roland Green and Jacob Colon scored goals this weekend. Owen Nieves played great defense and assisted in several plays and showed great sportsmanship.
The Rock House School of Music Rockers picked up a win against the WH Professional Fire Fighters CDG4, 4-2, Saturday. Asia Ford scored a goal from midfield, then moved to goalie and made several saves for CDG4, and Lliannay and Magaly Romeo worked well in midfield. West Shore Family Dental played to a 2-2 tie on Saturday against P & B Express. Selim Baydar and Diego Oceguera both scored. On Sunday, West Shore Family Dental played to another tie, this time a 1-1 draw against Milano & Wanat. Mohamed Naas and Amir Mohamednour both played great defense.
The Shoreline Wellness Green Leaf’s played tough on Saturday against Gunning Law Firm Grey Wolves, but lost, 2-0. Vrinda Patel and Jaelyn Clark moved the ball really well and played strong throughout the game. For the Grey Wolves, Sophia Empric and Kylie Gibbons scored, and Hailey Dargon and Kiera-Kellie Rolfe both played strong games.
On Sunday the two battled again played again in a really tough game that ultimately ended in a 4-4 draw. Isabella Antonucci scored two goals, Lia Powers had a goal and an assist, and Jocelyn Sliber scored one goal for the Green Leafs. Mackenzie Fein played good defense. For the Wolves, Ariana Throm and Kylie Gibbons both netted twice, and Daniela Bazar and Chelsea Hernandez played well in the field and Lulu Sebas was solid in the goal.
The Red Rockets played the Penguins twice this weekend, with coming out on top, 6-4 and 3-2. Avielle Bernardo scored, and Tyraja Garner worked hard. Jazmin Alejandro Lopez, Zara Josephs, and Fatihah Beyah all showed a lot of hustle. Joelle Dixon also put in a strong effort this weekend. The Yellow Sunflowers were in action this weekend against the Orange Pumpkins. The Sunflowers were led by Mia Lopez-Munoz, Kaitlyn Taylor, Ava Kross and Winter Cotter in the 6-5 loss.