The West Haven Youth Soccer League was finally able to kick-off its season this past weekend, as a full slate of games were able to be played on Saturday as Mother Nature gave us a break from the rain. The Elite Soccer Camps Blue Sharks opened the action Saturday morning, taking on the WH Professional Fire Fighters Green Machine. The Blue Sharks came out on top, 15-9. Luca Decrescenzo, Ryan Abekah, Matteo D’Elia and Ben Trenchard all picked up hat tricks, and Jax Guarino, Matteo D’Elia, and Seth Empiric added goals as well. The Penguins opened up their season with a 5-4 win over the Orange Flowers. Abby Hemming scored a nice goal and Olivia Payne played great defense.
This weekend, the Frank Agvent Plumbing and Heating U-19 boys travel team played twice. On Saturday, the team visited Orange. Santiago Moreno opened the scoring with a Penalty Kick after being taken down in the box on a breakaway. Orange responded almost immediately, making it 1-1. Late in the second half, Youssoupha Cisse clinched it for West Haven with his second goal of the season.
Sunday in the rain the Westies hosted Coginchaug. Isaac Osei led a deep drive that found Bernard Ocansey in the box. A quick pass allowed Phillip Smith the opening goal. Ocansey would combine a short time later with Raady Rahman to give West Haven a 2-0 lead. The game finished 3-0, with the last goal scored on a break away by Leandro Ferreira.
On Saturday night, the Elite Soccer Camps U-14 girls travel team hosted East Haven on the turf at West Haven High School. The game went back and forth early on, but the Westies were able to get two goals before the half. Brooke Flaherty and Ariana Izzo found the back of the net, with Izzo scoring off of a great pass from Abigail Phelan. Flaherty would go to score again in the second half, as did Melissa Tsakonas, as the Westies pulled away making the score 5-0. Olivia Trenchard and Camryn Flaherty played a solid game in central midfield, and Cassie Wadeka picked up another shut-out in the win.
The Capetta’s Italian Imports U-12 girls Thunder went to Guilford Saturday, and picked up a win in the first game of their season, defeating the hosts 3-0. Defensively, the team was solid, allowing the Westies to take risks going forward. Those risks paid off as Madyson Ortiz picked up two goals and Amyah Kelly scored one. Natalie Reed and Amanda Fagnani also played well.
The Jason Ranalli Soccer Rockers won, 5-1, over Milano & Wanat. The team played well, with goals coming from Mya Ajanaka and Joyce Delgado. Michele Tompkins did a great job stopping many crosses and getting ball to the forwards to create chances. The Cappetta Italian Imports Polar Bears had a strong first game against the WH Italian American Civic Assn. with a 9-4 win. Luciana Cappetta, Annabelle Fiorillo, Kai Ruotolo, and Olivia Petrie all scored while Abbey Forsyth was strong on defense. The Stars Ice Cream Golden Dragons defeated the Rock House School of Music Soccer Rockers, 6-2 The Dragons were led by Arielyrs Reyes and Nada El Mouki with two goals each, and Caydancce Hill and Maryorie Hernandez-Fortin each scored as well. Sarah Montiel played great in goal in the win for the Dragons.
Sweet Relief Catering played BarCode in the U-14 opener for both teams. It was a great team effort, with Sweet Relief Catering winning, 6-0. The Christensen triplets were outstanding, with Stephen and Paul playing well in the field and David scoring a hat trick. Jostin Rimerez, Caleb Awuah, and Isaiah Ramsey scored in the win as well. The Porto Funeral Homes Green Dragons took on the Nick’s Luncheonette Dragons, losing 6-4. The Green Dragons played great despite the loss. Bastian Tandazo led the way with two goals and exceptional dribbling and passing. Mateo Cuevas showed off his speed on offense and defense and Jimmy Clark worked really hard to help the team. Jaden Abekah, Holden Napoletano, and Joel Forbs-Wolfe all played well for the Nick’s Luncheonette Dragons.
The WH Federation of Teachers Local 1542 Mini Blueberries lost, 5-3, in their opening game to Top Hat Dance Academy. The Mini Blueberries fought their hardest to even up the score, coming from behind led by Mollie Germain, who scored two goals, and Cyndi Ogman, who scored another. Jillian Crudo played great offensively to make more scoring opportunities for her team. The West Haven Police Local 895 Blue Bruisers lost their first game against P & B Express, 8-2. Cheyenne Sebas scored the team’s two goals. Alexandria Freeman bravely stepped in the goal for the first time and did her best for her team as she held her opponent to only two goals in the first half. The West Shore Family Dental Golden Dragons picked up a win in their first game of the season against the George Ellis Company, Inc, coming out on top, 7-2, as the whole team put on a great display of passing and footwork. Brendan Spreyer, Raymond Listorti and Joshua Roman scored, and Dante Reynoso added to the scoreline as he netted a hat trick.
The Keenan Funeral Home Yellow Jackets faced Gunning Law Firm in their first soccer game of the season, winning 13-5. Kayci Gayle had a high energy game, netting five goals. Goals were also scored by Lexi Lucas, Camilla Murphy, Madison Gargiulo and Cristel Miguel. Murphy also played goal in the first half and Aubrey Dion picked up the keeper duties in the second. Keara Douglas and newcomer Perez Rosario both played a solid game, and Jayda Ciliberti showed great overall defense. Shoreline Wellness Center Green Leafs tied in their first game 3-3 against Oyster River Energy. All of the girls played hard and did a great job! Goals were scored by Nylah Beyah, Vrinda Patel, and Lia Powers for the Green Leafs.