The Gunning Law Firm U16 Boys Travel team brought home the championship in the CT Cup on Saturday, after a double-overtime effort. The Westies were crowned co-champions as the game ended in a 2-2 draw against Cheshire.
The Elite Soccer Camps U-12 girls travel team had a busy week to end the season, playing three games in four days and going 3-0 on the week. The girls opened up on Wednesday night at home in a league match-up against Madison. The Westies came out on top, 4-1, behind the strong play of Sofia DeRosa in goal. Alyvia Ginsberg worked hard in the midfield, as Cynthia Burns and Isabelle Nagle were rocks on defense. On Friday night, the Westies hosted Clinton, winning, 3-1. Abigail Phelan was aggressive and connected several passes, one on a nice overlapping run by Ava Murphy that created a quality chance on net. Josephina Lakaj also played well in the midfield, and Jaylyn Powell picked up a goal and an assist in the win. The Westies closed out their season in Wallingford on Saturday, picking up a 5-0 win. DeRosa got the shut-out in goal, and Camryn Beauvais gave the Westies the lead in the first half after she capitalized on a Wallingford goalkeeper error and calmly placed the ball into the back of the net. Olivia Trenchard and Ariana Izzo dominated in the midfield, shutting down Wallingford attacks and connecting passes going forward. Camryn Flaherty was the heart of the defense, while Brooke Flaherty picked up four goals, one from a great play by Brooke Throm.
The Elite Soccer Camps U-11 girls Lightning team finished their season on the road, making the trek to Watertown. It was a hot Saturday afternoon game, but the U11 Westies did not let that slow them down, picking up the 4-1 win. Ciara Harp was on fire, scoring for the Westies on keeping Watertown on their heels. Jaylyn Powell used her speed and skill to create chances and shut down Watertown counterattacks, and Aylin Soto played very well in midfield. Ashlynn Trenchard and Molly Gunning worked the flanks, and Kayla Burt put forth a solid job in the net. Chloe Whelan played great on defense to lead West Haven to the win.
The West Shore Family Dental U-11 boys took on Wallingford for the final, but most decisive, game of the season. The Westies came out flat and went down 1-0 early in the match, and they struggled to find their usual rhythm for the remainder of the first half. The second half was a different story, as the boys started to string together passes and find space. Ethan Masoperh put on an impressive performance as he scored three goals in the second half to lead the Westies to the 3-1 win. The U-11 Boys won the league title for the second consecutive season with the win. Tom Williams and Evan Amoro were both key in the league securing victory.
The Milano & Wanat U-10 boys travel team played Shelton in their last game of the season. The game ended in a 2-2 tie, and was filled with action from end to end. Maicon Miguel played the first half of the game in goal. Miguel made several key saves, especially a key one on the final shot of the first half to keep West Haven up 1-0 from a goal by Sean Studley. Shelton got on the board, but a strong West Haven defensive line led by Nathan Charron, Efrain Brown, Jovan Lakaj, and Matthew Panton limited their chances. Rafi Treat and Jovan Lakaj split time in goal in the second half. Both made some key saves to keep West Haven in the lead until Shelton tied the game. Ramy Mandhouj, Leo Mazuroski, Kenneth Peralta, and Pacy Larka all played well in the midfield throughout the game.
The Stars Ice Cream U-12 boys headed to Milford for their final game of the season. Despite the hot temps and having only one substitute on the bench, the team scraped together a 4-4 tie. West Haven was down 3-2 at halftime. Edgar Lopez’s foot skills payed off with a 30-yard rush. The ball that found the back of the net. Robert Foley capitalized on a penalty kick, and tied the game 2-2. Lopez found the back of the net twice in the second half. The first was a beautiful shot from the top of the 18-yard box. The fourth goal came from a well-placed pass from Sebastian Treat that split the defenders and found the foot of Lopez for his third goal of the game. West Haven was unable to hold off Milford as they tied the game, 4-4. Collin Charron, Sean Callahan, Robert Foley and Maurizio Urriola all played well on defense. Michael Luth played the entire game in net and made some key saves that kept West Haven from a defeat in their final game. Michael Cardosa played a key role in controlling the center of the field throughout the game. David Smith was the Man of the Match. Normally a defender, Smith shifted to play striker as West Haven played the match with only one substitute. Smith used his defensive knowledge to press high and often which resulted in many opportunities during the first half. Miguel Torres was out due to torn ligaments in his arm, but was still at the game, on the bench supporting his team.
The Bohemian Body Art U-19 boys team played their final League game in the heat at Oxford High School, managing a close win, 2-1. Javier Yanez placed two goals in the net to secure the win, which gave the Westies second place in the league.
In the final weekend of in-town play, the CT Pest Elimination Green Beans played Dillman & Dillman Adjusters, LLC, losing, 9-3. Reina Dormevil and Alexzander Jones played particularly well for the Green Beans. Enoch Kehinde led the scoring for the Green Beans while Maxwell Taylor had a great effort overall. The Elite Soccer Camps Red Dragons won their final game of the season against Lacistrong 6-1. Julius Stokes and Charlie Gunning picked up goals as they dribbled through the opposing team, and Benjamin Trenchard and Jax Guarino combined on a number of nice passing plays. Colin Whelan put in a lot of hustle, and Luca Decresenzo also picked up a goal from a Salvatore Castagnetto pass.
The Cappetta’s Italian Imports Blue Birds played a tough game against Top Hat Dance Academy, despite a 3-0 loss. Linette Castillo Mendoza, Luciana Cappetta, and Annabelle Fiorillo all hustled to take control of the ball up and down the field. Allianna Wilson worked hard in defense.
In the final game of the spring season, the West Haven Italian-American Civic Association Golden Phoenixes played against the Rock House School of Music Rockers in a game that some would call a battle of titans. The first half was a closely contested match that had the teams tied, 1-1. Mekayan Fowler tied the score with an 18-yard blast that scorched the back of the net. Playing just as well was Giovanni Ferrucci who was a force all over the field. Urijah Silva and Victor Magana Preciado were the usual stalwarts on defense, while Daniel Davis and Rafael Treat pulled double duty on both the field and as net-minders. Both players made some incredible saves that left the fans wanting for more. The team finished the year strong and will look to build on that for the upcoming season.
The York Business Center Orange Crush lost their last game to Baybrook Remodelers Blue Hawks, 5-1. For the Orange Crush, Alana Hendley scored the team’s lone goal and Lia Powers had the assist. Katelyn Mondo played a strong game midfieldIt was an impressive season for the Blue Hawks, ending with the solid win. Natalie Reed, Madden Evangeliste, Isabel Millard, Sarahi Cruz-Cruz and Jada Fowler each scored goals. Katarina Olivera and Adriana Fabian were solid as midfielders while Melissa Valtierra, Madison Jacksics and MacKenzie Jacksics provided strong defense.
The Seacrest Retirement Center Reds finished their impressive season going 9-0-2, finishing with a 4-1 win against Eli’s Orange. The boys played hard and learned how to work together as a team throughout the season. Austin Carr, Edem Dzandzi, Xander Estes, Michael Gianotti, Kyle Guarino, Ricardo Hernandez-Arce, Cadian Jones-Gaywood, Youssef Maula, Aidan Panton, Vincent Perricone, Jr., Peter Prokopis, Marcos Tepetl, Mikey Vargo, Ryan Walsh and Jayden Williams all showed great improvement throughout the season.
Stowe’s Seafood Blue Eels had a very respectable showing Saturday in the West Haven end of the season U-14 Co-ed Tournament, as they combined with the Oyster River Energy Soccer Rockers to finish with two wins and one loss. Paul Christensen and Jessie Jain picked up some goals, while David Christensen, David Dougherty, Jostin Gonzlez, Tyler Geer, and played well in the field. Excellent goalkeeping by Aldair Saucedo and Junior Salguero was also on display.
Also in the Co-ed Tournament, the Lions Club of West Haven combined with Porto Funeral Homes to defeat the force of Apple Rehab and Cornell Scott-Hill Health Center, 5-1.
The team-up of Porto Funeral Homes and Watson Foods Co, LLC, defeated the WH Professional Firefighters/Mulkerin School of Irish Dancing, 3-2.
In the final game of the weekend, the Elsie Encarnation-State Farm Insurance/Dillman & Dillman Adjusters tied the combined might of Stars Ice Cream and Cappetta’s Italian Imports, 4-4.