The West Haven Youth Soccer League kicked of its fall season this past weekend, getting a full slate of games in. The Elite Soccer Camps U14 girls travel team went 2-0 on the weekend, winning its first two matches of the season. On Saturday, they traveled to North Haven winning, 5-1. Ava Murphy and Etta Funke split time in goal, each making some key saves in the win. Brooke Flaherty, Jaylyn Powell, and Alexandria Nunes all scored. Ariana Izzo, Isabella Eyler and Aylin Soto dictated the attack and dominated the center of the field. Ashlynn Trenchard and Camryn Beauvais worked the flanks in the win. On Sunday, the girls were back in action, this time traveling to Madison and getting the 2-0 win. After a scoreless first half, Llyanna Griffith-Waite got the first goal, nailing a shot into the Madison goal from 20 yards out. The Westies capped off the win when Molly Gunning played a through ball for Brooke Flaherty to run on to and knock pass the opposing goalie. Ericka Tighe got the shut-out in goal and Camyrn Flaherty, Niamh Chesson, Chloe Whelan, and Annabelle Pasacreta were solid on defense.
The Oyster River Energy West Haven U12 boys opened the season with a strong performance on Saturday afternoon at Duffy Field beating Orange, 4-2. West Haven dominated play in the first half and controlled the action while creating numerous opportunities. Pedro Furtado opened the scoring for the Blue Devils when he drove one home from the top of the box. Furtado made it 2-0 when he took Sean Studley’s pass and slotted it past Orange’s goalkeeper. Westies goalie Rafi Treat only had to make one save in the first half, but it was a quality stop of a breakaway. In the second half West Haven picked up right where they left off. Ramy Mendhouj took the ball to the end line and sent a perfect cross to Jovan Lakaj for a tap-in goal. Efrain Brown then beat two defenders and passed to Nate Charron. Charron crossed it to Lakaj who slammed it under the crossbar to make it 4-0. Orange scored twice late in the game, the second on a penalty kick. Victor Padilla made three saves in the second half for the Blue Devils. Matthew Panton was solid in the middle of the field for the Westies.
The U11 girls shut out Madison, 3-0. Kayla Quintanilla has been an excellent addition to the Westies in goal. She easily kept Madison from putting the ball in the net. Camilla Murphy, Isabella Antonucci and Cristel Miguel each scored for West Haven. Kayci Gayle, Amiyah Jones and Daniela Bazar provided a strong line of defense in the West Haven win. On Sunday, the Westies played Hamden away for the second game of the season. Again, the Westies shut out their opponent with a 5-0 win. Goals were scored in the first half by Lexi Lucas, Nylah Beyah, Madison Gargiulo, and Kayci Gayle, and Amiyah Jones added one in the second half. Keeper duties were shared by Kayla Quintanilla and Valentina DeMartino. Both girls played a great game in goal.
The Elite Soccer Camps Golden Dragons won their opening game of the season against Oyster River Energy, 6-1. Charlie Gunning and Ryan Abekah lead the way in scoring, with Matteo D’Elia, Luca DeCrescenzo and Jacob Rader finding the back of the net as well. Ben Trenchard played aggressive and had a couple of nice passes that put his teammates in scoring positions, and Jax Guarino showed a lot of hustle getting up the field to help in the attack and recovering on defense to break up plays. For Oyster River, Julius Stokes scored and showed off his impressive footwork. The Porto Funeral Home Navy Sharks played Nick’s Luncheonette Dragons losing, 5-3. For the Sharks, Mohammed Lamkhantar led the way, scoring the hat trick. His brother, Adam, showed great foot skills and hit the post twice. Kiernan Cerullo played well defensively for the Navy Sharks. For the Dragons, Dylan Narvaez, Jaxon Cruz and Mason Panton were the stars of the day. The Shoreline Wellness Center Blue beat Cappetta’s Italian Imports Polar Bears, 6-3. Francesca DeMartino, Jayda Cillberti, and Giada Jimenez all did an amazing job on offense and scored. For the Polar Bears, Arianna Steele, Luciana Cappetta, and Kylie McCoart all scored. Celeste Dinallo moved the ball quickly up and down the field. The WH Professional Firefights Blue Thunder topped Elite Soccer Camps, 9-3. Mustafa Basci a few goals in his first game. Grayson McCarthy, Nathan DAurio and Cayden Rabb, Carter Dillon and Damain Brown each scored as well. Amazing speed and defense were shown by twin brothers Caleb and Jackson Ford in the win for the Blue Thunder.
The Jason Ranalli Gold Team played a fantastic game against West Haven Police Local 895 on Saturday. Landon Alling, Emmett Hemming and Alexander Galbicsek were some of the players who scored their first goals of their soccer careers Saturday morning as players from both teams worked hard and had fun. The Top Hat Dance Academy Green Crocodiles defeated Gunning Law Firm, 9-3. The Crocodiles were led by Lehanna Philogene, Ariel Titus and Camila Barragan, all scoring goals. The Rock House School of Music Rockers defeated Cappetta’s Italian Imports, 6-1. Asia Ford scored the first goal of the season. Summer Krajcir and Delaney Johnson had many shots on goal, adding to the tally throughout the game. The George Ellis Company Gold Stars edged Stars Ice Cream Warriors, 5-3. Alexandria Freeman played goalie well for the entire first half for her team. Bianca Davila led the defensive line. Cheyenne Sebas made the first and last goals of the game, helping secure the win for the Gold Stars. For the Warriors, Haley Colon scored two goals and Carnasia Shabazz picked up the third. The WH Federation of Teachers Mini Blueberries defeated the WH Italian-American Civic Assn, 10-7. Isabella Cooper’s hard work paid off as she scored her first goal. Harper Golde played wonderful offense and scored a goal. Karine Davila helped her team by scoring many goals in the game.
Sweet Relief Catering pulled off 6-1 win over the Bar Code Lightning in their first outing of the season. The Christensen triplets lead the way, with David scoring and Stephen and Paul playing great in the field. Isaiah Ramsey scored a few goals, and Lucas Aronson added one. Junior Salguero played a great game in goal.
The P & B Express U10 girls won an exciting game in game Milford, defeating the host team, 2-1. Goals were scored by Arianna Throm and Haleigh McCarthy. Sophia Empric displayed excellent footwork and made several nice passes at forward while Hailey Dargon and Sophia Locklear played strong on defense. Lulu Sebas and Lynnie Chesson made many key saves in net to secure the win.
The West Shore Family Dental Gray Sharks played Frank Agvent Heating and Plumbing. Jeshrun Polington and Nicholas King Pratt scored goals and displayed their foot skills effectively. Jonathan Colon overcame his fear of playing in front of an audience and scored a goal and was able to make quite a few assists. The Milano & Wanat Blue Hurricanes defeated Keenan Funeral Home, 5-0. Sophia Empric had a hat trick while Kylie Gibbons, Arianna Throm, Stella Porto and Chelsea Hernandez also added goals. Hailey Dargon had a strong game on defense, and Lynnie Chesson and Lulu Sebas combined for the shut-out in net.