It was a rain-logged Saturday and a cloudy Sunday, but the West Haven Youth Soccer League got in a full slate of games this past weekend. The Milano & Wanat U-11 boys travel team traveled to Shelton for a second-round Connecticut Cup match Saturday afternoon. Shelton came out strong, forcing the action and making crisp passes. The Westies’ defense was able to limit Shelton’s shots on goal while their opponent was pressing. Late in the first half Shelton squeezed one by to put the hosts up, 1-0 at the half. The Westies did not panic and came out calm and confident in the second half, winning every 50-50 ball and denying Shelton the counter attack. Brian Cruz tied it tor West Haven on a beautiful shot to the opposite top corner, lighting a fire under the Westies as they pushed for a winner. Ethan Masoperth found the goal and West Haven was able to hold off Shelton’s late attempts to tie the game, as the Westies came out on top, 2-1. Playing great in the win were Antonio Brown and Angel Magana as West Haven advances to the third round of the statewide competition.
The Lions Club of West Haven U-9/U-10 girls team had a league game against Guilford on Saturday. The team was led with goals by Cristel Miguel and Camilla Murphy who helped lift the team to a 2-2 tie. Arya Mulmi and Kayci Gayle provided strong defense. Lexi Lucas, Madden Evangeliste, and Kaylee Pellino led the attack from the midfield during an up and down battle between the two teams. The team is undefeated in league play so far with a couple more league games and several friendlies left in the season.
The West Shore Family Dental U-10 boys journeyed up to Middlebury on Saturday and played a tough game to the final whistle, despite a tough 3-2 loss. The only thing more persistent than the rain was the Middlebury passing. The Westies scored first as Leo Mazuroski found himself on the end of a beautiful pass from Sean Studley. Mazuroski hit the back of the net to put the Westies up, 1-0. Pacey Larka made it 2-0 for the Westies as he used his speed to get past the Middlebury defense. Middlebury quickly regrouped and put together a string of passes that quickly tied the game. Like the rain and cold temps, Middlebury didn’t stop and found the back of the net one last time for a final score of 3-2. Maicon Miguel made some outstanding saves throughout the game keeping the Westies alive. Nate Charron, Jovan Lakaj, and Matthew Panton all played well on defense. The Westies’ game record now stands at 4-1-1.
In G Division action this weekend, the Elite Soccer Camps Red Dragons took on Lacistrong Polar Bears in the first game Saturday morning. The Red Dragons came away with the win, behind the highlight reel worthy performance of Colin Whelan as he showed his moves, made some great passes, played strong defense and put the ball in the back of the net. Benjamin Trenchard picked up his first career goal, and also scoring were Julius Stokes and Charlie Gunning. Jax Guarino, Marco Antonucci, and Alessia Coletta also had a strong game for the Elite Soccer Red Dragons. For the Lacistrong Polar Bears, Mason Panton, Leonidis Dews, Andrew Loehn and Jacob Rader all scored, and Brooklynn O’Mara and Phoebe DiNuzzo played well, and showing excellent defense was Alexander Hulse and Jayden Prates. The CT Pest Elimination Green Beans lost a heartbreaker to Dillman & Dillman Adjusters, LLC, in the second game of the day. Bastian Tandazo and Reina Dormevil led the way for the Green Beans on offense and defense. Maxwell Taylor also had a great game showing excellent hustle. In the final G Division game, Eli’s Orange took on Watson Foods Co, LLC. In a back and worth, well played game, Gavin Lenihan and Marvin Castillo worked hard for Eli’s Orange, as did Jacob Warren and Shawn Gilbert for Watson Foods.
The F Girls Division was full of action this past weekend, as Cappetta’s Italian Imports played a well-fought game against the Gunning Law Firm. Leila Lancaster and Allianna Wilson scored for the team with spectacular assists from Annabelle Fiorillo and Jocelyn Kenny. Despite a 7-3 loss, the team didn’t let the rain get in their way! The Gunning Law Firm showed great heart in this game, with only five players showing up to the game amidst the rainy conditions. Sophia Empiric, Lulu Sebas, Hailey Dargon, Kylie Gibbons, and Lynnie Chesson were given high praise from their coach as they led a massive offensive charge and overpowered their opponents in the win. Without any subs available, they had to dig down deep and not let up from start to finish. Dillman & Dillman Adjustors took on Top Hat Dance Company. For Dillman & Dillman Adjustors, Stella Porto scored four goals and made an endless number of stops, while Caty Aloi did a great job playing a new position. Isabella Kodjo scored her first goal this weekend. Porto Funeral Homes against Seacrest Retirement Center rounded out the action, with Porto Funeral Homes coming out on top, 3-1.
The Italian-American Civic Association’s U-10 boys Golden Phoenix played a tough game at Peterson Field against Rock House School of Music Rockers. The Golden Phoenix played well despite a 2-0 loss and only having one substitute on the bench. The rain didn’t keep those who did play from having fun. Daniel Davis played goal for the first half and made several key saves. Joey Sperry and Mekayan Hernandez-Tlamintzi created several opportunities for each other, but were unable to find the back of the net. Giovanni Ferrucci held off several attacks and played solid in central defense providing many passes through the midfield to Sperry and Tlamintzi. Nicholas Medina Rosero played outstanding in goal the second half. Kenneth Peralta and Hasan Alrawashdeh played a solid game overall. The Rock House School of Music Rockers continued their winning ways in rainy conditions. Due to schedule conflicts, their head coach has not been able to be at most of their games and he gives great credit to the boys and assistants Ken Hulse and Melissa Agvent who have been able to play at a high level without him. Coach Murphy commends their efforts and credits the family like atmosphere that his team has as to the reason why they continue to play so well. Chase Agvent played hard defense and William Hulse led a valiant effort at forward in the win. Pablo Feregrino’s great footwork and Jovan Lakaj’s stellar play continue to move the boys forward in the division. The Mulkerin School of Irish Dance Tigers had an outstanding victory against the WH Professional Firefighters-IAFF 1198 Green Machine. Alex Lima-Cortes scored two goals, while Andrew Collazo scored one to make it 3-0. Geovani-Caceres and Omar Flores-Montealegre were vital in moving the ball up the field to the goal scorers. The game was not one-sided, though. Sebastian Ocegera Torres was able to run the field and play defense to stop potential goal scoring shots from getting off. This game might have been the boys’ best game of the season so far. For the Green Machine, Nathan Spreyer played a great game in goal. Awesome footwork was on display by Gabriel Greengas and Evan Lannon played great defense.
The Bohemian Body Art Irish Green had another solid game this week, coming out on top over York Business Center. The team was led by goals by Arianna Throm, Finley Gunning, and Ava Pellino. Valentina Mariconde, Camilla Murphy, and Kayci Gayle recorded a shutout in goal. Marcy Funke provided the team with skilled play in the midfield.
The Baybrook Remodelers Blue Hawks played another exciting game against Cappetta’s Italian Imports Red, which ended in a tie. Natalie Reed orchestrated the offensive attack with support from Madden Evangeliste, Sarahi Cruz-Cruz and Melissa Valiterra. Katarina Oliveira was tremendous in midfield, with Jada Fowler providing solid goaltending to round out the effort. Michelle Mora-Cyrus and Mariella Cappetta put in some solid work for Cappetta’s Italian Imports. Apple Rehab of West Haven played the Elsie Encarnation-State Farm Insurance Raiders, with the Raiders surviving the rainy conditions to come out on top, 4-2.
In CD action this week, Stowe’s Seafood played Stars Ice Cream in a well played, hard fought match that found the Stowe’s Seafood Blue Eels coming out on top 4-2. Edwin Saucedo scored, while great defense was played by Junior Salguero and Jared Saucedo. Adam Boulguid and Ato Ofosu-Appiah added some excellent play on the field. The Cornell-Scott Hill Health Center Leprechauns played against Oyster River Energy in an entertaining tie. Sarah Davey and Isabella Violate-Fletcher played well for Oyster River, and Nada El Mouki was strong for Cornell-Scott Hill Health Center.