The Spring 2024 season of the West Haven Youth Soccer League has kicked off, with games and action dominating our city’s soccer fields. In travel team action, the Vio’s Sports Plus U14 boys took on Cheshire Saturday afternoon and won, 6-3. CaDian Jones Gaywood walked away with the hat trick. Jayden Abekah scored two and Jackson Schoeman clinched the win with a bomber to the top corner from the right wing. Mikey Vargo had two assists, and newcomers Aaron Azana, Muhamad Darwano and Gabriel Quezada integrated seamlessly into the team.
The Cappetta’s Italian Imports U15 girls opened the season on the road versus Coginchaug with a 3-1 win. The Westies controlled the ball well up the field with excellent teamwork and passing skills, which led to goals by Naomi Shubin and Alivia Reilly. Olivia Petrie and Lulu Sebas were solid in net. The team continued its solid form with an excellent game at home versus Shelton last Sunday with n a 5-1 win. The Westies dominated the field with excellent footwork by Celeste DiNallo and Shubin. Kylie Gibbons scored a hat trick for West Haven while Kai Ruotolo and Luciana Cappetta also put one in the net. The girls finished the beginning of their season with a nail-bitter of a game at home versus East Haven, ending in a 1-1 tie. Arianna Throm put West Haven on the board while Olivia Petrie defended the net. Allie Powers worked hard in defense to clear the ball for the Westies.
The Gunning Law Firm West Haven U12 girls g opened the season with a 2-1 victory over Hamden. For most of the first half, West Haven controlled the pace and tempo but could not capitalize on their opportunities. The start of the second half brought a new sense of urgency, with Ariel Titus opening the scoring for West Haven. Titus scored the second goal to put West Haven up, 2-0. Kendall Gilchrist, Allyson Hernandez-Arce, and Phoebe DiNuzzo were spectacular on defense. Madison Marion played a great game, showcasing great ball skills and passing prowess.
The Elite Soccer Camps U11 boys opened their season in impressive fashion. The first game of the season saw them travel to Shelton and come home 5-0 winners. Roland Green was impressive on the ball and slammed it into the side netting for a goal. Ben Trenchard and Seth Empric were solid on defense. The Westies returned to action against Wallingford, winning 5-0. Ryan Abekah and Luca Decresenzo dominated in the attack and scored, and Ethan Fonseca added to the goal tally with one of his own. Jaxon Cruz kept the clean sheet in goal for West Haven. The boys then battled to a hard earned 3-3 draw against a tough Haddam-Killingworth team. Mason DaSilva sprayed passes across the field, and Jacob Rader was his usual calm and collected self at centerback. Collin Gibbons was strong on defense, and Jax Guarino contributed on both sides of the ball. This past weekend, the Westies had a key win against rivals Guilford, coming out 4-1 winners. Adam Lamkhantar picked up a couple of assists and Matteo D’Elia and Julian Castillo dominated the middle of the field. The final game of the opening stretch of the season saw the Westies travel to Naugatuck and pick up the 6-1 win. Joseph Ruiz played well defensively, and scored a goal off of a Green cross that came from a smart Trenchard throw-in. Taha Ozhan played a great game on the wing for West Haven.
In the WHYSL action, the Seacrest Retirement Center Strikers kicked off their season with two exciting games. In their first game, the Strikers’ Avery Smullen led the team in scoring. She was supported by Layla Steel, who had an incredible all-around game. In game two, Helena Talamelli and Charlotte Monks each scored in the win for the Strikers. Other Saturday action saw Physicians Physical Therapy and Mad Mike’s Cheesesteaks draw, 3-3, while the Law Office of Paul V. Carty battled Wizzard Painting, but came up short, losing 4-2.
The P & B Express Irish Green battle against the Thorough Restoration on Saturday. It was a slow start for the Irish Green, but they ended up winning the game. Shavier Medley had a break away, goal while Tyler Franklin and Daryl Lminggio both scored. It was a great team effort with Joseph Guerra helping with a few assists and saving a couple of goals with strong defensive play. Frankie’s of West Haven opened up the season strong, with a dominating 5-1 win over York Business Center.
Taco Town team opened their season with two tough losses, the first to Eli’s Orange. The team showed great effort, working together to come back in the second half and make it a close game. Christopher Romero, Adriel Maita, Daimeon Griffin, and Enes Sahin all scored for Taco Town. Game two saw Taco Town fall to the West Haven Federation of Teachers, 7-5. The West Haven Federation of Teachers played well and worked very well as a team, seeing Sami Mohammadi score multiple times. Michael Okedina scored and made many great passes, while Kingston Ortiz showed great teamwork, assisted with blocking goals and passing. Stowe’s Seafood beat the University of New Haven Blue Chargers, 5-2, and the West Haven Professional Fire Fighters drew the West Haven Police Local 895, 3-3.
Elsie Encarnacion State Farm Insurance took on Milano & Wanat in U10 boys action for the second game of the season. For Milano & Wanat, Lazareth Cortez and Jude Charles both scored two goals, and Dominic Durand, Ian Pereyra, Jacob Munoz-Montano, and Xander Chuquilla each had an assist. In the first game against Baybrook Remodelers, Curtis Diaz had an assist and Cyncere Harris picked up a goal. Porto Funeral Homes opened up the season with a pair of 3-2 wins, first defeating the George Ellis Company and the second against Keenan Funeral Home.
The RQ Accounting & Tax Services Cheetahs played with good spirits and enthusiasm as they took on AFC Urgent Care. Marwa El-filali and Lilithbelle Warcholic played aggressive defense. Mariah Casteel took control of the ball. Vivian Andrade and Mila Liguori ran the ball down field and Katie Samaniego scored finished with five goals. The RQ Accounting and tax Services Cheetahs also played an amazing game against Connex Credit Union. Avalyn Wilder, Ria Sharma, Stella Lombardi, Chloe Collins, Zoey Dasilva, and Myah Sanchez, and Jaelyn Aviles all scored. For Connex Credit Union, Alice Burns and Sophia Castillo hustled up and down the field, while Ariana Hunter played good defense.