West Haven Youth Soccer hosted its annual West Haven Invitational Tournament (WHIT) this past weekend, with 65 teams from all over the state participating. The West Haven U10 girls soccer team dominated the weekend, showcasing a near-perfect defensive effort and an opportunistic attack that led to an undefeated run, finishing with three wins and one hard-fought draw. The Westies started the tournament with back-to-back clutch victories, first edging New Haven, 1-0, and then shutting down Coginchaug in a solid 2-0 effort. Forward Ayah Lamkhantar netted both goals against Coginchaug, adding to an early goal scored by Savanah Gilchrist.
The tournament quickly turned into a defensive showcase for West Haven. The collective effort of goalkeepers LilithBelle Warcholic, Anna Howery, and Charlotte Murray kept the net virtually locked down, supported by the stellar play of Hamidat Tidjani, whose impassable defense consistently foiled opponents’ scoring chances. The midfield engine, powered by the quick feet and field vision of Vivian Andrade and the dazzling maneuvering of Avalyn Wilder, ensured the ball moved swiftly up the field, creating chaos for the opposition.
In the third match, the dominance continued as West Haven soundly defeated Haddam-Killingworth 3-0. Angela Guerrero found the back of the net, with Lamkhantar adding her third and fourth goals of the day to complete another shutout. Katherine Samaniago and Micaela Howery injected aggressive, high-energy play with their quick footwork, maintaining relentless pressure.
The tournament finale was a thrilling rematch against New Haven. With the Westies having already posted three consecutive shutouts, they ultimately fought to a 1-1 draw, with Melody Feliciano scoring the team’s decisive final goal. Forward Elaina Cuenca and Marwa kept the pressure high until the final whistle. Seven goals scored and only one goal conceded across all four games.
The West Haven U14 boys travel team finished the tournament in third place, with a 2-2 record. The Westies opened up with a tough 2-1 loss against Wallingford. Jacob Rader and Seth Empric limited Wallingford’s chances, and Jaxon Cruz played well in goal. Mason DaSilva and Matteo D’Elia worked the center midfield, and Roland Green and Mohammed Lamkhantar kept pressure on Wallingford’s goal as the team fought for the tie but came up short.
The team played Cheshire in their second game on Saturday, winning 3-1. Luca Decrescenzo scored, while Derek Rawls and Taha Ozhan worked hard on the wings. Julian Castillo, Ethan Fonseco, and Adam Lamkhantar dominated the midfield. Julian Bautista created chances and passed well.
Sunday morning the boys played a strong Bristol team and fell, 3-1. Collin Gibbons and Joe Ruiz played well defensively in the game, and Julius Stokes worked hard to get the team back in the game.
In the third-place match, the Westies matched up against Cheshire again, and won convincingly, 5-0. Ryan Abekah picked up a hat trick, and Cruz and Enzo Cordova kept the shut-out in goal. Ben Trenchard had a strong game on defense, winning tackles and being aggressive in the win for the Westies.
Last weekend saw a full slate of games for the league. Keenan Funeral Home Maroon Dragons played the West Haven Italian American Civic Association. Muhammad Olagbenro and Gage Hemming were unstoppable forces. Beyond their many goals scored and tight defense, the impressive teamwork and the way they effortlessly passed the ball to their teammates contributed to success and fun on the field. The Dayton Street Pizza Blue Knights celebrated their first win of the season over Stars Ice Cream. Edward Diaz, Alper Ali Maras, AbdulMalik Shafter and Arnold Okyere all scored. The rest of the team stepped up with strong defense across the field.
The West Haven Police Union Local 895 Wildcats played a hard-fought game against The Building Complex, winning 2-0, with both goals scored by Luca D’Elia. Diminic Diaz and Kai Wilson helped on defense to secure the win. Milano & Wanat Grey Wolves won 5-1 against Frankie’s of West Haven. Tyler Franklin and Noah Johnson both had two goals. Thanush Urolana showed improvement in his hustle. Jalen Hoskie, Jr played strong on defense to help seal the win. Baybrook Remodelors shut out Top Hat Dance Academy 3-0. Charlotte Murray played an amazing game scoring and defending the net. Ayah Lamkahantar scored two goals. LilithBelle Warcholic played goalkeeper as well as forward making runs down field. Hamidat Tidjani and Vivian Andrade were tough defenders to pass.
The West Haven U10 girls travel team played Amity. Katie Samaniago scored for West Haven, but Amity took the lead going into halftime. The Westies came back strong in the second half with Angela Guerrero charging up field and scoring a goal, and Ayah Lamkhantar picked up a hat trick. Anna Howery and Savannah Gilchrist blocked many tough shots at the goal, resulting in West Haven defeating Amity, 5-3.
The West Haven U14 boys travel team hosted Sterling, winning 6-4. It was a hard-fought game that went back and forth, but the Westies ultimately found a way to come out on top. Ryan Abekah, Roland Green, and Adam Lamkhantar scored. Seth Empric, Ben Trenchard, Collin Gibbons, and Joe Ruiz played well on defense, working with Jacob Rader to protect the goal.