By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
March 22, 2016-The Dix Hills Hurricanes recently achieved what the New York Mets did last fall, winning a division in the National League. But the reference regarding Dix Hills is to the National League organized by US Youth Soccer.
Playing the best teams in youth soccer from across the country, Dix Hills had a 5-1-1 record, scoring 12 goals and conceding four while earning first place in the Boys-Under-16 Red Division on March 13. Dix Hills, playing out of the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) and Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL), defeated the two teams in the division who are part of Major League Soccer clubs, shutting out the LA Galaxy South Bay Gold, 1-0, on December 13 in North Carolina and topping the Chicago Fire Academy, 2-1, on December 29 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Kissimmee, Florida. The seven division games are scheduled at soccer complexes across the United States, with National League matches in different age groups being played on one weekend so college coaches can easily scout the competition.
“The Hurricane players and their parents understand that winning shouldn't be the first priority of the players' development. We have created a nice group of players, respectful, unified and committed to training and working hard to become better each day,” commented Jose Luis Rebay, coaching the team since 2012.
“We also have parents willing to work for the team, do fundraising to help with the travel and tournament expenses,” Coach Rebay continued. “The economic cost for our families is considerable, when you add tournaments, league games, trips, hotels, meals, uniforms, coaches expenses and more.”
As division winners, Dix Hills automatically qualifies for the US Youth Soccer national championships from July 26 to 31 in Frisco, Texas. This summer, Dix Hills hopes to add the national championship to their trophy case which includes the past two State Open Cup titles and going undefeated in the Region 1 Champions League last year.
With over 100,000 youth soccer players––both boys and girls––and more than 25,000 volunteers, the non-profit Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) stretches from Montauk Point, Long Island to the Canadian border. Members are affiliated with 11 leagues throughout the association, which covers the entire state of New York east of Route 81. ENYYSA exists to promote and enhance the game of soccer for children and teenagers between the ages of 5 and 19 years old, and to encourage the healthy development of youth players, coaches, referees and administrators. All levels of soccer are offered––from intramural, travel team and premier players as well as Special Children. No child who wants to play soccer is turned away. ENYYSA is a proud member of the United States Soccer Federation and United States Youth Soccer Association. For more information, please log on tohttp://www.enysoccer.com/, which receives nearly 300,000 hits annually from the growing soccer community.
