The sun was shining on Saturday as the West Haven Youth Soccer League kicked off Week 2 of its spring season. On Friday night, the Elite Soccer Camps U-12 Lightning Travel team played the first of two games, traveling to Southington. The Lightning lost, 7-4, against a tough and skilled Southington team, but battled hard. Llyanna Griffith-Waite picked up a second half hat trick, and Annabelle Pasacreta and Sophie Mazuroski played well on defense. Etta Funke worked to keep the pressure on Southington late in the game, and Taylor Guarino and Aylin Soto strung passes together from the midfield. On Saturday, the Lightning hosted Meriden in another physically tough match-up. The two teams traded goals back and forth, with the game ending 2-2. Jaylyn Powell opened the scoring in the first half, with a right-footed rocket from outside the penalty area. Cashlin O’Neill had several stellar saves for the Lightning, and Alex Nunes and Ciara Harp both created several good chances for the Westies in the second half. Chloe Whelan played an excellent game anchoring the defense, aided by the excellent play of Niamh Chesson who shut down her side of the field to Meriden attacks.
The Elite Soccer Camps U-14 girls team hosted Milford Friday night. The Westies were short-handed, and had problems holding of the Milford attacks, suffering their first loss of the season, 4-0. Abigail Phelan played a strong game on the wing, as Ariana Izzo forced the Milford goalkeeper to make several big stops. Camryn Flaherty gave everything she had at outside back, getting fouled often by the aggressive play of Milford. Olivia Trenchard, Ava Murphy and Melissa Tsakonas played well in the center of the midfield for West Haven.
The U-11 boys took to the road to face Guilford this past Saturday. It was the team’s first game due to a very rainy start of the season. Guilford got off to an early 1-0 lead with a goal that got past West Haven keeper Rafi Treat. The West Haven defense was still trying to find a good rhythm when Guilford found the back of the net again to make it 2-0. The Westies started to move the ball a little better when Sean Studley found Pedro Furtado through the middle of the field and Furtado released a blistering shot high into the back of the net. Matt Panton, Efrain Brown, and Leo Mazuroski played well defensively, while Johnathan Forbes-Wolfe, Pacey Larka, Nate Charron, and Mahmet Aciker provided support in the midfield. Maicon Miguel played goalie the second half of the game and he made some great saves, but Guilford’s passing proved to be the game changer as they netted a few more goals and the Westies dropped their first league game, 5-1.
The U-14 boys finally opened the season this past Saturday hosting WHIT rival Seymour in a league game at Duffy Field. The Westies came out on top, 6-2. West Haven came out strong and controlled the pace of the game from the start. Sebastian Treat and Collin Charron closed down the middle of the field, only allowing Seymour’s offensive attack, led by Justin Zwolinski, a few opportunities to goal. The defensive support gave first-time goalkeeper Yahzeel Beyley a relatively quiet game. Beyley was called up from the U-12 squad and immediately adjusted well to the bigger pitch and players.
West Haven scored first as Bryan Fernandes placed a beautiful cross from Robert Foley in the back of the net. Rafael Gazcon scored West Haven’s second goal as Giancarlo Esquivel provided the assist on the goal. Maurizio Urriola finished off the scoring in the first half with an assist from Gazcon. Seymour found the back of the net once in the first half to keep them in the game. The second half was all West Haven as they moved the ball quickly and didn’t allow Seymore time and space with the ball. Andrew Bello scored an unassisted goal as West Haven began to pull away with the lead. Zachary Guy scored on a well-placed pass from Urriola. Fernandes scored his second goal from a long cross from Esquivel. Michael Luth, Sean Callahan, David Smith and Hamidou Timera all played a great game keeping Seymour’s attack from scoring and confidentially playing the ball from the back beginning many of the offensive attacks.
On Saturday night at West Haven High School the U=19 boys played a second-round Connecticut Cup game against New Fairfield. The Westies came out on fire scoring four goals in the first twelve minutes of the match. Danny Morales, Holden Axelrod and Derick Meza each scored two, and Shamar Kingston got a hat trick. Brian Rivedera and Ty Reeves provided two assists a piece in the 10-4 win. West Haven now has advanced to the quarterfinals and will see action again on June 1.
The Keenan Funeral Home Yellow Jackets took home the win Saturday against Shoreline Wellness Green Leafs in a 5-0 final. Madison Gargiulo picked up two goals, while Camilla Murphy, Kayci Gayle and Lexi Lucas each added one. Alivia Reilly and Kaylee Pellino showed a strong game in net, Cristel Miguel played well in the game. For the Green Leafs, Viviana Cuevas played strong in the goal for the second half and didn’t give up any goals and Vrinda Patel played hard and strong in midfield.The Gunning Law Firm Grey Sharks lost to Capetta’s Italian Imports, 3-0, but a strong game was played by Chelsea Hernandez on defense and Sophia Empric at midfield. Lynnie Chesson played well in goal stopping several tough shots and Lulu Sebas also showed good hustle.
The West Haven Police Local 895 Yellow Flash played WH Professional Fire Fighters Red Alerts, with the Yellow Flash coming out on top, 8-3. Jacob Colon picked up his first hat trick, and Jeshrun Polington scored and made some excellent throw ins. Julian Esposito scored as well in the win. The Elite Soccer Camps Blue Sharks won against the Jason Ranalli Grey Ghosts, 10-5. Ben Trenchard, Matteo D’Elia, and Ryan Abekah all picked up multiple goals, while Jax Guarino made some good passes, while Michael and Mikalyah Sierra, Emmet Hemming, Andrew Hulse and Lorenzo Daniele showed their growing skills. The Penguins lost a close game to the Hurricanes, 6-4. Chloe Morris made some good passes, while Emma Shuckerow played strong defense. Keily Apolo had a few good scoring chances and Tariya Issac played a good game.
The P & B Express Green Gators showed strong defense and offense which led to a victory over Milano & Wanat, 3-0. The defense was led by Andrew Collazo and Jan-David Latorre. The offensive side was led by Rida Saanon with one goal and Alex Lima-Cortes, who found the back of the net twice. Gunning Law Firm lost a close game to Frank Agvent Plumbing and Heating, 3-0. Victor Magana Preciado had many nice saves in the game and kept the score close. George Ellis Company, Inc. tied 2-2 against Sweet Relief Catering. The game was back and forth with both defenses and goalies stopping repeated attacks. George Ellis took a 1-0 lead with a goal from Aldair Saucedo, but the game was quickly tied afterward. Victor Smith III and Noah Rader stopped repeated shots from the opponent, and midway in the 2nd half Matthew David scored a goal from just inside the box giving George Ellis the lead. The game was quickly tied by Sweet Relief Catering and ended up in a well-played 2-2 tie. For Sweet Relief Catering, Junior Saguero played excellent in goal, and great defense was played by Dante Grammatico and Lucas Aronson. Elijah and Gregory Reddick also played well in the field.
Nick’s Luncheonette won a good game against Gunning Law Firm, 6-3. Dylan Narvaez Ramos did a great job dribbling, while Mason Panton and Andrew Loehn played strong defense. The Stars Ice Cream Golden Dragons defeated West Shore Family Dental, 6-2. Gabe Greengas, Eddie Fagnini, Chase Watson, Ryan Walsh and Charles Sutton all scored, while a great defensive effort was put forth by Christopher Glynn. The Cappetta’s Italian Imports Polar Bears fought a tough game against Top Hat Dance Academy falling, 8-5. Kiley McCoart played a strong game on defense. Giada Jimenez, Luciana Cappetta, and Olivia Petrie all scored for the Polar Bears. The Porto Funeral Home Green Dragons played the Oyster River Energy Tidal Waves winning, 5-4. Jeremy Salas played well overall. Jackson Schoeman and Mohammed Lamkhantar played excellent defensively and each had a goal for the Green Dragons.
The WH Federation of Teachers Local 1542 Mini Blueberries lost to the WH Italian -American Civic Assn, 7-5. The Mini Blueberries came from behind with the help on offense from Harper Golde. Josylyn Davila stopped multiple goals on defense. Anessa Worrell took opportunities to keep pressure on the opposing defenders and found the back of the net. It was a close game as the Blueberries improved this week. The Bar Code Blue Bruisers lost, 4-0 to Stars Ice Cream. Hudiner Sahin displayed her skills by playing a strong defense. Eliana Centeno-Galdamez was very versatile, playing offensive and defensive positions to help her team wherever they needed it. Alanis Nieves held her own in midfield despite her smaller physique, showing size doesn’t matter as she did well applying pressure to her opponents. The Rock House School of Music Rockers lost a close game this weekend, 4-3. Sarah Davey played keeper in the first half and had a few great saves, Natalie Rivas contributed from left back, getting up field to join the attack, as did Sofia Lora.