It was a little overcast on Opening Weekend for the West Haven Youth Soccer League, but they were able to get a full slate of games in that saw some back-and-forth action and solid play. The Elite Soccer Camps U10 West Haven Boys Travel Team opened the season with two wins against tough opponents.
On Saturday, the young Westies hosted North Haven and came away with a 6-2 in. Ryan Abekah led the game in scoring, getting assists from Mason DaSilva and Gavin Lenihan. Jaxon Cruz was sensational in goal, making several key saves. Colin Gibbons and Seth Empric were strong on defense, while Roland Green made numerous key attacking plays and created chances in front of the North Haven goal. On
Sunday, the U10 boys traveled to Clinton to play and won 4-1 in a tough and aggressive match. Abekah opened the scoring in the first half, after he and Matteo D’Elia pressured the ball and forced a turnover. Jax Guarino worked hard up and down the flank, and Ben Trenchard and Adam Lamkhantar kept Clinton from getting many shots on goal. After Clinton tied the game early in the second half, the Westies scored three quick goals to put the game away. Abekah scored again from the penalty spot, and Jacob Rader put the game away with a well-placed shot into the corner after Joey Ruiz won the ball and got it into the offensive side of the field. Ethan Fonseca worked hard on both sides of the ball in the win for the Westies.
The P&B Express West Haven U9 Boys Travel Team fell 1-0 to Amity in their opener. Dylan Fonseca played well on the field and in goal. Emmett Hemming and Abdul Akondo worked hard on offense and defense. Jonathan King used his foot skills to create shots on goal, while Yangel Ortiz Garzon and Luca Gagliardi played well in the midfield.
The Cappetta’s Italian Imports U12 West Haven Girls Travel Team started the season on the road in North Haven where they took home a 6-0 win. Olivia Petrie had a solid performance in goal. Excellent teamwork led to goals by Chelsea Frost, Kylee McCoart, Stella Porto, Luciana Cappetta, and Celeste DiNallo. The U12 girls were back in action when they traveled to Cheshire, taking home a 7-2 win. Stella Porto, Gillian Wynus, and Luciana Cappetta controlled the midfield, while Josylyn Davila was strong on defense. The Dillman and Dillman LLC West Haven U11 Girls Travel team played their first game of the season against Madison, winning 8-4. The girls came out strong with great defense played by Amy Congacha, Klara Frost, Phoebe DiNuzzo and Kendall Gilchrist, but Madison ended up scoring the first goal. Ariel Titus leveled for the Westies. The girls continued to play well with Titus scoring four more goals, followed by Juliana Aviles scoring off of a corner kick. Allyson Hernandez-Arce scored the last two goals to secure the win.
In the Recreation League, Taco Town took on WH Professional Fire Fighters Saturday in their first game of the season. Taco Town put in a great effort despite losing, 8-1. Nicholas Acampora scored the only goal for his team on a penalty kick. Tobiloba Yekinni showed great hustle, while Marvin Castillo did a great job on defense. Leading the way on offense for the Firefighters was Rida Saanon with a hat trick, followed by Doniel Agustin, Mohamed Nasr, Mayenmen Ngoh, Muyakanwi Ngoh and Eddie Fagnani with one goal apiece. The staunch defense was led by Abraham Morales-Linares, Carlos Bazar, and in net Guillermo Gonzaga. Playing extremely well on both sides of the ball were Jacob Smalls and Llandel Moreno who led the pace early and often.
The University of New Haven Navy Blues played Mad Mike’s Cheesesteaks Saturday morning, with the game ending in a 5-0 win for UNH. The Navy Blues showed excellent offense, working together and hustling to pass to Mia Montes and Nylah Arthur, who picked up two goals each. With the support of the defense Lia Powers pushed through using great foot skills to get the last goal.
Frankie’s of West Haven Blue Stars took on West Shore Family Dental Gold Saturday afternoon. The Blue Stars Meriam Bouha and Tariya Issac were able to hold the defensive line tight during the beginning of the game. Scarlet Reyes, with the assistance of Mya Salinas and Lexi Jimenez, was able to score two goals. Janiyah Smith with her quick feet was able to score a goal at the last minute to tie the game, 3-3. The RQ Professional Accounting & Tax Services Grey Cheetahs played against Nick’s Luncheonette, and showed amazing energy and positive attitudes. Emma Holmes scored multiple goals. Ellie Cipriano, Aneesa Kass, and Avalyn Wilder also scored for the team.
Lorenzo’s Ristorante Italiano defeated the Gunning Law Firm, 7-2. Lorenzo’s was led by the strong play of Mama Kamara. Chelsea Hernandez Fortin and Jada Avila Yousra Moussa played a good game in goal in the win. Elsie Encarnacion State Farm Insurance defeated Milano & Wanat, 5-1 in their first game of the Spring Season. Santino Amato made some tremendous saves in the net and fine field play was on display by Dylan Ranalli, Jacob Munoz and Ziad Ramirez.
The Vio’s Sportsplus Greyhounds defeated Baybrook Remodelers 6-0 in their opening game of the season. Ali Alhaddad worked hard in the midfield, and Brandon Rylski competed to win the ball. Angelo Mendieta played great on defense, and Liam Lima helped keep the shut-out in goal.