A number of the boys travel teams competed in the Cheshire Invitational Tournament this weekend, and were very successful. The Milano & Wanat U-11 boys came home as tournament champs, opening up the weekend with a 4-2 win against Branford. Great play from Efe Tatar, Christian Reyes, Tom Williams, and Evan Amaro contributed to the win.
In the second game, the Westies took on rival Shelton and they were able to dominate the field with crisp passing, keeping Shelton off guard and on the defensive. The Westies won, 4-1. Key contributors were Gabe Locklear, Dylan Agvent, Dylan Petrie and Brian Cruz. The Westies took on Amity on Sunday in a crucial game three.
The boys came out strong with several early chances, but met with little success due to the strong goal keeping of Amity’s Owen Hawes. Keeping the game simple and not panicking, the Westies were able to find the back of the net three times to walk away with the 3-0 win.
Strong performances from Malik Ouri, Keifer Tandazo, Angel Magana and Antonio Brown helped lead the U-11’s to the win. Game four saw the Westies matched up against Manchester, with the winner walking away as tournament champions.
The Westies continued their run, and came out strong, going up 3-0 by the half and adding another in the second half to win the final, 4-0. Phenomenal play from Bobby Severino, Ethan Masoperth and Matt Hunter led to the win. Also strong throughout the entire tournament was keeper Yahzeel Beyley, who only gave up one goal over the course of the weekend.
The Porto Funeral Homes U-12 boys travel team also won their bracket in the tournament. The boys went 4-0, winning the crucial final game against Madison, 5-1. Sean Callahan played very well defensively over the course of the weekend, also chipping in to the attack with a goal and an assist. Also playing well over throughout the tournament was Darrell Karikari-Appiah, Collin Charron, and Giancarlo Esquivel.
In other travel team games, the Watson Foods Co U-16 boys won their CT Cup semifinal matchup against Guilford, 4-1, putting them in the final of the state tournament. The Elite Soccer Camps U-12 Girls team traveled to Meriden Saturday afternoon, and came away with a 2-2 draw.
After going down 1-0, Ariana Izzo scored from a long range effort to even the score, after combining down the flank with Cynthia Burns. Brooke Flaherty put in the second goal for the Westies off a powerful shot into the roof of the net, after Alyvia Ginsberg and Isabelle Nagle worked to win the ball. Olivia Trenchard worked hard defensively, joined by the outside midfielders Josephina Lakaj and Abigail Phelan. Ava Murphy held strong for the Westies in the goal.
The Top Hat Dance Academy U-11 Thunder girls team played Branford, winning 4-1. Alexandra Nunes scored, and Lea Boguniecki and Michelle Ceja both played well. Amanda Fagnani showed some hustle, and Katelynn Salgado never stopped working throughout the match.
The Elite Soccer Camps U-11 Lightning Girls team hosted Wallingford early Saturday evening. The girls fought hard against a very skilled Wallingford side that is going to the CT Cup Finals, but ultimately fell, 4-3. Llyanna Griffith-Waite scored one, while Ciara Harp netted the other two. Adelicia Parise made her comeback after an injury set back, and played well defensively.
Annabelle Pasacreta was solid on defense and calm on the ball in the attack, while the central midfield trio of Jaelyn Beauvais, Jaylyn Powell and Aylin Soto worked hard on both sides of the ball. Chloe Whelan did a good job anchoring the defense, and Ashlynn Trenchard and Molly Gunning worked hard on the flanks.
The Seacrest Retirement Center U9/U10 Girls had their first loss of the season in Wallingford this past weekend. The girls lost, 1-0, against a very aggressive Wallingford team. The team was slow to get moving, but came alive in the second half in a very physical matchup. Marcy Funke and Cristel Miguel helped push the ball forward. Aarya Mulmi and Kayci Gayle worked hard on defense to slow the Wallingford attack. Kaylee Pellino and Camilla Murphy used their foot skills to move around the midfield, but unfortunately the team could not get goal they needed for the tie. The team has one more friendly in Orange next weekend to close the season.
The Lions Club of West Haven U-9 Boys played in Orange this week and played a well fought game from start to finish in a 4-3 loss. Santiago Morales made some strong saves in goal. Pablo Feregrino moved the ball well at forward and was part of a couple of goals that came from some solid passing sequences. CJ Sutton had his best travel game of the season and scored a great goal in the bottom right corner off a rebound. RJ Jackson played a solid game on defense, slowing the Orange attack throughout the game.
In recreation action this week, the Elite Soccer Camps Red Dragons and the CT Pest Elimination Green Beans battled in a competitive game Saturday morning, with the Elite Soccer Red Dragons coming out on top, 7-4. Charlie Gunning and Julius Stokes led the attack, joined by Colin Whelan who scored off a Benjamin Trenchard assist. Jax Guarino and Nour El Mouki worked hard, joined by Alessia Coletta, Marco Antonucci and Aiden Slater.
For the Green Beans, Harper Golde and Jillian Crudo played particularly well, and Nylah O’Gilvie and Seth Empric showed great teamwork and passing in the game. The Bohemian Body Art Irish Green continue to work hard as the season nears the end, winning 2-1 against the Baybrook Remodelers Blue Hawks. Kylie Gibbons scored a great goal off a cross by Camilla Murphy. Arianna Throm earned her first win in goal holding the opponent to just one goal. Lexi Lucas used her speed and great footwork to push the ball forward which resulted in a nice goal by Kayci Gayle. With one game to go the team remains undefeated.
For the Baybrook Remodelers Blue Hawks, Natalie Reed, Madden Evangeliste, Katarina Oliveira, and Sarahi Cruz-Cruz led the offense with solid passing and ball control. Jada Fowler and Melissa Valtierra shut down many advances with strong defense.
The Rock House School of Music Rockers earned a 1-1 tie this weekend against a tough Eli’s Orange that was relentlessly attacking the boys down the stretch. Jovan Lakaj made a couple of incredible passes which ended in goals. Chase Agvent played a hard game on defense, along with Xavier McMillan. William Hulse worked hard at forward and provided the team with important minutes.
The Gunning Law Firm Red Wolves earned a 3-2 win this week against Elsie-Encarnation State Farm Insurance. In a close game, Finley Gunning and Lynnie Chesson were able to use their footwork to push the ball forward and help involve their teammates. Elina Cordero fought hard for the ball and used her defensive skills to slow the other team. The girls are undefeated heading into their last game.
The Mulkerin School of Irish Dance Tigers showed excellent defense and offense which led to a 4-2 victory over the WH Italian-American Civic Association. The defense was led by Rhyon Christie, Elijah Reddick, and Christian Ashong. The offensive side was led by the exceptional footwork by Greg Reddick ,Rida Saanon, Andrew Collazo, and Alex Lima-Cortes.
The Oyster River Energy Soccer Rockers won on Saturday, 4-3, against Stars Ice Cream. The team put together a great game, the goalie made great stops, the defense moved up the field and the midfielders pushed the ball into open space and the forwards shot the ball without hesitation, this was a great team win and they did it together with everyone getting involved in the game.
Stowe’s Seafood Blue Eels came out on top, 7-3, this weekend against Dillman & Dillman Adjusters, LLC. Jesse Jain and Ato Ofosu-Appiah each scored two goals, while David Christensen, David Dougherty and Edwin Saucedo added one apiece. Stephen Christensen and Connor Hummel were strong in the field throughout the game. The York Business Center Orange Crush lost to Cappetta’s Italian Imports, 3-1. Isabella Antonucci scored the team’s lone goal. All of the girls played well in the close game, showing great improvement throughout the season. The West Haven Professional Firefighters Association Green Machine dropped a close game to West Shore Family Dental, 3-2. Aedan Guarino and Abdelrahman Osman both scored in the loss, with Chase Watson picking up assists on both goals. Lamont Woods played a great game as well.
In the final two games of the weekend, the Lacistrong Predators and the Cornell Scott-Hill Health Center Rangers in an offensive battle. The two teams had to settle for a tie after scoring four goals apiece. The Apple Rehab Defenders lost to the Dillman & Dillman Avengers, 5-1, with Chris Evans and Chris Hemsworth picking up two goals each.