On the final weekend of the regular season, the West Haven Youth Soccer League once again had to brave the wet and muddy conditions, but the league was able to get in a full slate of games.
In travel team action, the Elite Soccer Camps U-14 girls faced Wallingford for the third time this season, this time in league play. Having already beaten their opponents twice, the Westies knew it would be a tough task. The field was slick, but West Haven played well, combining and moving the ball up the field. Julia Tsakonas scored the lone goal to give West Haven the 1-0 win after the goalkeeper muffed a clearance. With the ball at her feet, Tsakonas took a touch and buried the ball into the back of the net. Camryn and Brooke Flaherty played great throughout the game, as did Cynthia Burns, Isabelle Nagle and Josephina Lakaj.
The Rock House School of Music U-11 boys hosted undefeated Madison Sunday afternoon, and lost a thrilling 5-4 game. Madison took a 2-0 lead in the first half on the muddy field before the Westies got back in the game. Sean Studley flicked a throw-in to the far post where Ryan Malone jammed it in to cut the Madison lead in half. Madison made it 3-1 before halftime despite multiple saves by Rafi Treat. Early in the second half, Malone took a pass from Studley on the left wing, cut in and fire the ball off the near post and in to make it 3-2. The Westies continued to apply pressure and equalized when Nate Charron leapt in the air and redirected Jovan Lakaj’s corner kick past a diving keeper.
Madison regained the lead at 4-3, but the Westies kept at it. Studley took a ball out of the air and found Malone streaking down the left side. Malone one touched a pass into Lakaj’s path for a breakaway, and he calmly finished to tie the score at 4-4. Maicon Miguel made several saves in the second half for West Haven before Madison again score. One last rally by West Haven came up short in the end.
The Elite Soccer Camps U-12 Lightning hosted Meriden Saturday afternoon, but they came up short, losing 2-0. The Lightning had the better play, but the field conditions hurt them, as they saw several attacking opportunities stymied by puddles on the field. Alexandria Nunes and Ciara Harp played well at forward, supported in the midfield by Taylor Guarino and Aylin Soto. Ashlynn Trenchard was aggressive on the flank, winning the ball and making some key passes to start Lightning counter-attacks. Kayla Burt was solid in goal. Despite the loss, the Lightning finished runner-ups in a tough division this fall.
The Cappetta’s Italian Imports U-12 Thunder finished their season up on Saturday as well, hosting North Haven. The Thunder played hard, but field conditions hurt them as well, and even though they had a few good passing sequences, they could not capitalize at the end and found themselves down 2-0 at the half. The girls worked hard to try to get back into the game, but could not find the back of the net.
The West Shore Family Dental U-12 boys had their final game of the season playing league rival Wallingford on Saturday. The boys played with determination in executing the game plan. Playing out of the back field and taking chances going over the top of the defense. Unfortunately it was not enough as Walling went on to win, 3-2. Angel Magana scored both goals for the Westies. Also playing well for the Blue Devils was their core defenders Malik Ouro Adei, Bobby Severino, Tom Williams, and Brian Cruz. Another successful season in the books for 2007’s both with ups and downs. This team continues to be a force to be reckoned with.
In league action, the Baybrook Remodelers Evergreen played Oyster River Energy Soccer Rockers Saturday morning, losing 3-0. Bianca Davila played well defensively, as she developed throughout the season. Imani McDuffe-Edwards started this season as a brand new player, but showed her ever improving skills as she played with confidence this past weekend. For the Soccer Rockers, Yamilette, Magaly and Lilianay Romero were great on the field.
The Cornell-Scott Hill Health Center Green Angels lost a close 5-4 game to Dillman & Dillman Adjusters, LLC. Harper Golde played an awesome game, as Karine Davila played aggressively by advancing the ball forward to help create opportunities for her team to score.
The Shoreline Wellness Center Red Devils U-10 girls played a very good game against Bohemian Body Art Navy, ultimately losing, 4-0. Vrinda Patel and Emilia Yavagnilio played strong on the field and showed great hustle. T
he Elite Soccer Camps Green Beans played their final game of the season Saturday morning against Lacistrong, in what has been termed the “Mud Bowl.” The Green Beans came out on top, 8-3. Ryan Abekah led the Green Beans in scoring, joined by Ben Trenchard, who picked up a brace and showed some good dribbling, and Matteo D’Elia, Seth Empric and Luca Decresenzo all scored. Jax Guarino played a great game, and Travis Sanders, Brianna Valtierra and Layla Nesmith all showed a lot of hustle.
The Cappetta’s Italion Imports Killer Bees played their last game of the season on a muddy Saturday, falling, 4-2, to Mulkerin School of Irish Dancing.
Olivia Petrie, Luciana Cappetta, and Annabelle Fiorillo played well on both sides of the ball. Giada Jimenez, Kai Ruotolo, and Jacelyn Kenny passed the ball extremely well. Celeste Dinallo was named player of the game and most improved player for the season showing great determination.
The Lions Club of West Haven Red Lions played Porto Funeral Homes, winning 4-1. Omar Elnatour displayed excellent footwork, and Mateo Cuevas and Jimmy Clark also played well overall for the Red Lions. Dillman & Dillman Adjusters, LLC, defeated CT Pest Elimination, 8-7. Ava Ciccarelli, Michael Natale and Malakai Inahuazo all played well in the win.
he Gunning Law Firm lost, 5-3, to Elsie Encarnacion State Farm Insurance. Marco Antonucci, Nour El Mouki and Jackson Gabriele showed great hustle and defense, working hard to gain possession of the ball. Anthony Villeda attacked the ball and successfully ran it down the field to score.
The Milano & Wanat Golden Dragons played Seacrest Retirement Center, taking the 8-7 win thanks to Jaden Abekah, Mason Panton and Joel Forbes-Wolfe. All of the players did great this season for the Golden Dragons.
In the final games of the weekend, Eli’s Orange and Stars Ice Cream played to a 4-4 tie, and Stowe’s Seafood defeated Watson Foods Company, LLC, 5-4. Top Hat Dance Academy lost a close game to West Haven Italian American Civic Association, 3-2, and York Business Center and WH Professional Fire Fighters- IAFF 1198 played a game for the ages in the mud and rain, finishing in a 5-5 tie.