The West Haven Travel teams participated in the Madison Invitational Soccer Tournament (MIST) this weekend. The Bohemian Body Art U-12 boys team opened up the tournament against Madison. Ethan Masoperth scored the only goal of the game. Efe Tatar, Dylan Petrie, and Tom Williams all played well. Game two saw the boys in a match-up against Newington. The Westies came out strong, scoring twice in the first half as Brian Cruz and Masoperth found the back of the net. Fatigue set in during the second half as Newington was able to level the score at 2-2. Playing well against Newington was Evan Amoro and Gabe Locklear.
On Sunday, the U-12s opened up against Colchester, and they came out with a mission, to defend their goal at all costs. They held Colchester scoreless through the great play of Malik Ouri, Bobby Severino, Dylan Agvent and Matt Hunter. The Westies won that game 2-0.
Game Four saw the boys taking on East Lyme for the championship. East Lyme snuck a goal in early, but West Haven answered late in the first half from a Brian Cruz penalty shot. In the second half, East Lyme found the back of the net again, forcing the Westies to gamble and throw numbers forward. In the end, it did not pay off and the Westies fell, 4-1, in the final.
The Elite Soccer Camps U-15 girls played very well in the tournament. Saturday, they went 2-0, defeating Branford, 2-0, and Guilford, 1-0. Ariana Izzo and Julia Tsakonas both scored, while a defense led by Neveah Swanson and CC Williams helped goalie Cassie Wadeka keep the shut out in goal. Olivia Trenchard, Emma Walker and Ava Murphy were solid in midfield. Sunday, they opened up the morning against Colchester, winning 2-0. Brooke Flaherty scored, while Camryn Flaherty, Isabelle Nagle, Cynthia Burns, Melissa Tsakonas and Alyvia Ginsberg all played solid defense.
The afternoon saw the girls take on Madison for the championship. Madison was a strong and skilled team, but the Westies held them off for most of the first half. Camryn Beauvais was solid at outside back, with Josephina Lakaj, Abigail Phelan, and Lola DiNuzzo all worked hard on the flanks. The Westies fell, 3-0.
The Apple Rehab of West Haven U-12 girls Thunder went 0-1-3 on the weekend, picking up ties against three good teams. Playing well over the course of the weekend was Angelina Messina, Natalie Reed, Ericka Tighe, Amyah Kelly, Sydni Gayle, Amanda Fagnani, and Madden Evangelista.
The Elite Soccer Camps U-12 girls Lightning finished in second this weekend at the MIST. They started off slow on Saturday, losing to Madison, 2-1, and tying Meriden, 1-1. Ciara Harp and Jaylyn Powell both found the back of the net on Saturday, while Aylin Soto worked hard in the midfield. Kayla Burt made a few great saves to keep her team in the hunt.
On Sunday, the girls found their form, beating Valley, 5-0, in the first game. Chloe Whelan anchored the center defense, aided by Sophie Mazuroski, Annabelle Pasacreta, Adelicia Parise and Niamh Chesson. Jaelyn Beauvais and Taylor Guarino ran the center of midfield, creating numerous scoring opportunities for their teammates. The last game of the tournament saw the Lightning taking on East Lyme for second place. The girls answered the challenge, winning 5-1. Llyanna Griffith-Waite opened the scoring, and Molly Gunning quickly added to the score off a great one-timer. Alexandria Nunes picked up a hat trick to round out the scoring. Ashlynn Trechard and Etta Funke hustled up and down the flanks as outside mids to provide cover in defense and support in the attack.
Rounding out West Haven participation in the MIST was the West Haven U-11 boys travel team. The Westies played their first four games of the season in two days. First up was a very strong West Hartford team. Despite a bunch of saves by Maicon Miguel, West Hartford scored five goals, but not before the Westies Ryan Malone found the back of the net. Jeffery Walker and Mehmet Aciker had a strong game playing various roles on the field. The Westies took on Canton for game two. The Westies played a better game with a strong defensive play by Nate Charron, Efrain Brown, and Matthew Panton. Pedro Furtado and Leo Mazuroski provided creative midfield play and one resulted in a goal by Sean Studley. Rafi Treat made many key saves, but the Westies lost, 3-1. Sunday the Westies played Branford to a 0-0 tie for their first game and then lost to Wallingford 2-0. Pacey Larka, Jovan Lakaj, and Mehmet Aciker provided the Westies with many opportunities throughout the tournament. Jonathan Forbes-Wolfe and Isaac Irizarry played well in their first tournament.
In recreation action, the Elite Soccer Camps Green Beans took on Lacistrong, with the Green Beans coming out on top, 9-4. Ben Trenchard and Luca Decrescenzo both scored multiple goals, while Jax Guarino, Travis Sanders, Selma Freire, and Matteo D’Elia all found the back of the net as well. Reagan Kennedy played well in her first game, and Seth Emperic showed off his dribbling moves. The Eli’s of Orange Golden Dragons took on the Lion’s Club of West Haven Red Lions. The Golden Dragons won 9-7, behind the great play of Joel Forbes-Wolf, Alexander Huse and Andrew Loehn. For the Red Lions, Jackson Schoeman scored three goals and Mateo Cuevas and Adam Lennon played great defense. The Stowe’s Seafood Goldfish played to a 3-3 tie against Milano & Wanat. David Christensen and Nour Boulguid scored, and the Christensen triplets; Dave, Stephen and Paul; played a great game in the field. Brandon Paucar and Aiden Mancini were stellar on defense. The Gunning Law Firm Lawyers defeated Watson Foods Co., 3-2.
Baybrook Remodelers fell to Oyster River Energy Soccer Rockers, 5-0, Saturday morning. Olivia Moretti play well, dribbling and combining passes for Baybrook Remodelers. Camilia Suarez-Caporal stayed in her position well. For the Soccer Rockers, Delaney Jonston scored and the defense was led by asia Ford and Yamilette Romero. The Cornell Scott-Hill Health Center Green Apples fell to the Cappetta’s Italian Imports Killer Bees, 5-0. For the Green Apples, Aaliyah Powers showed off her defensive skills and Kiva Inahuazo moved the ball well. For the Killer Bees, Giada Jimenez, Luciana Cappetta, Annabelle Fiorillo and Kylee McCoart all scored, and Celeste DiNallo picked up an assist.
The CT Pest Elimination Blue Dragons won against Dillman & Dillman Adjusters, LLC Red. Jacob Rader, Folake Olorunmaiye, Roland Green, and Jaire Brruss Setzer all scored for the Blue Dragons in the 8-4 win. Tiara Frye did a wonderful job taking throw ins and Jacob Colon took some great goal kicks. For Dillman & Dillman Red, Aaron Azana, Francesca Locklear Gavin Lenihan all played great. Seacrest Retirement Center and Stars Ice Cream played to a 4-4 tie.
The West Haven Professional Firefighters Association Phantom Grapes defeated the West Haven Italian American Civic Association Ballers, 4-1. Brendan Spreyer and Raymond Listorti scored, and Nathan Spreyer and Matthew Pasacreta combined to play a great game in goal. Chase Watson was solid in the field, showing great footwork and good passing. Dillman & Dillman Adjusters, LLC Navy battled to a 3-3 tie against Top Hat Dance Academy. Braelyn Roldan and Gianna DePino showed excellent footwork throughout the game, and Emiya Mack and Julissa Oliveras played great defense to keep the game close.
The Elsie Encarnation-State Farm Insurance Tigers defeated the Mulkerin School of Irish Dancing Leperchauns, 1-0, in a tough match-up, and the Porto Funeral Homes Pokemon played the Rock House Head Bangers to the same score line. In the final game of the weekend, West Shore Family Dental defeated York Business Center, 5-1.