By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
June 3, 2015-The Levittown Wildcats became the comeback kids of the State Open Cup finals when they came from behind in both regulation and overtime to take the Girls-Under-12 championship in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA). Levittown defeated the Smithtown Flames, 3-2, on May 30 at Stringham Park in LaGrange.
Kerrigan deMeij scored in regulation to tie the game for Levittown, then Matiana Valdez scored the tying and winning goals in overtime in a title game between two teams from the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL).
“The difference in the game was the Wildcats kept their focus on possession and never got down on themselves when they were behind in regulation and overtime. The girls held it together and scored some nice goals,” commented Levittown coach Rob Pearse. “Thanks to Eastern New York for the opportunity to participate in this event. My girls had a great time!”
Levittown received a $2,000 check from Eastern New York to defer their costs during the National Championship Series. They will be playing in the Regionals from June 26 to 30 in Barboursville, West Virginia.
The new state champs also received the Howard Rubenstein Sportsmanship Award for the fair play they demonstrated on the field. Now retired, Mr. Rubenstein was seemingly involved in every facet of New York soccer for decades and is a member of the Halls of Fame of Eastern New York, the US Amateur Soccer Association and the Long Island Junior Soccer League.
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 to http://www.enysoccer.com/, which receives nearly 300,000 hits annually from the growing soccer community.
(Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association photo attached of the Levittown Wildcats.)
