The West Haven Youth Soccer League opened its spring season last weekend with a full slate of games under sunny skies. The Elite Soccer Camps Red Rangers won their first game of the season against the Cornell Scott-Hill Health Center Gold Ninjas, 8-4. For the Red Rangers, Ryan Abekah, Luca DeCrescenzo, and Matteo D’Elia impressed with their footskills and shooting accuracy, all finding the back of the net. Seth Empric pulled an impressive step-over, clearing room for a shot on goal, and Ben Trenchard did the same with a shoulder fake in front of goal, and both Empric and Trenchard found the back of the net. Collin Gibbons and Jacob Rader made some great passes, Jax Guarino and a sliding stop in front of his goal, and Elias Padilla, Emmett Hemming and Brandon Rylski all impressed in their opening game. The Golden Ninjas showed a lot of hustle in the game. Aaron Azana played strong on defense, Omar Boghdady showed a lot of heart and hustle, and Julian Concepcion gave it his all.
The R. Mark Pappas D.C. Blue Lightning played their first game of the season against Gunning Law Firm. Despite playing hard throughout the game, the Blue Lightning came up short in a 7-5 loss. The Blue Lightning scoring was led by Ava Pellino and Stella Porto, with several goals between them and a few great moves and skills to weave in and out of the Gunning Law Firm’s defense. The defense for the Blue Lightening was led by Taliah Boykin and Samira Kamara in goal.
Cappetta’s Italian Imports opened the season against Shoreline Wellness Center with a 3-2 loss. Annabelle Fiorillo dominated in defense with goals by Celeste DiNallo and Luciana Cappetta. The First Congregational Church of West Haven won their opening game of the season over Stars Ice Cream, 6-3.The offense was led by Sophia Mazuroski, who scored some key goals. The defense was led by Michelle Tompkins. Trinity Smith played in her first game and she played well defensively.
#DAVILATRIBE played Rock House School of Music. #DAVILATRIBE won the game, 5-2.
Dulce Poou scored for Rock House, making it a close game and Mama Kamara had multiple saves in goal. For #DAVILATRIBE, Juliana Crudo scored her first goal for her team. Eliana Centeno-Galdamez scored a hat trick. Camila Suarez-Caporal pushed the up the field from her defensive position to score a goal helping the team win.
The UNH Maroon Wolves played Nick’s Luncheonette on Saturday. The two teams had enough players to split into two separate games. Wolfs came out on top with a score of 6-4 and 7-1. Nick’s Luncheonette team played great defense and attacked when the time was right. The Wolves’ Alessio Bisceglia and Karaj Barton showed great teamwork in the attacking side. While Lincoln Bertolini and Gavin Lenihan played tenacious defense. As a team the Wolves played well and played with a lot of energy. The Sports Sanitizing of CT-Doritos won against Milano & Wanat, 3-2. The Doritos played great, coming from behind for the win. Jackson Schoeman led the way with a hat trick. Abraham Marmol showed off his speed on offense and passed the ball well. Alex Johnson played well in goal and on the field.
In other action, Seacrest Retirement Center defeated P&B Express, 2-1, and Oyster River Energy took down Porto Funeral Home by the same score. Sweet Relief topped the Top Hat Dance Company, 3-0, and the WH Italian-American Civic Association took down Stars Ice Cream, 4-3.
In travel team action, the Vio’s Sports Plus U10 girls had a strong start to the season with their first game against Orange despite a 2-1 loss. Stella Porto and Kiley McCoart were aggressive on the field. Luciana Cappetta scored for West Haven. The Baybrook Remodelers U11 girls traveled to Guilford for its first league game on Sunday. In the first half Braelynn Elliot scored our first goal with an assist pass from Sophia Empric. Kylie Gibbons scored our second solo goal. We played a strong second half but ultimately lost, 5-2.