May Recaps for SHFC teams

After weeks off for spring break, as well as several weekends rained out or cancelled due to field conditions, it is has been an inconsistent spring of soccer for Sleepy Hollow Football Club’s teams. The club’s players and volunteer coaches persist in trying to get in their practice time and remain cohesive for competitive play.

With this coming weekend off for Memorial Day, SHFC will return to the field in June for the remaining few weeks of the spring season. Here are each SHFC team’s results for this past week:

2010 Girls Bandits hosted the Pelham Mayhem on May 19. The score is not available. On June 2, they will travel to the LMFC White Lynx.

2010 Boys Shadows continued the dominance last Sunday against New Rochelle on their field.

Leo Zohar played goalie the first half of the game and saw little action thanks to his team. Most of the action on the field was down by New Rochelle's goal. Finally 20 minutes into the game, Elion Ashiru had a nice assist to Denis Suqui to mark the first goal of the game. New Rochelle's team was tough and they fought hard to gain control of the ball. Just before the half ended, Joaquin Rodriguez had a nice hustle to score a goal and bring the score to 2-0.

The players have been able to experience playing almost every position to set them up for a wide range of skills that our coaches have strategically thought out. The passing between the boys has been elevated in this spring season and they're able to communicate on the field and set up thoughtful plays.

Rodriguez was in goal the second half of the game and while he had some great saves, still saw little action on our side of the field. Matt Bartolacci had a great hustle in the second half coming close to scoring a few times. Nico Barbosa had some great setups and assists as he floated on the field. Goals in the second half of the game were executed by Leandro Santorum, Kellen McGuire and two by Ahsiru to bring the final score 6-0. We look forward to hosting Shrub Oak Green at Pocantico Field on June 2nd.

2009 Girls Red Fury coached by Katie McMahon and Jim McGovern, travelled to the Valhalla Vikings. The score is not available. On June 2, they will travel to the Briarcliff Banshees.

2009 Boys United won 5-3 vs North Salem yesterday on the road. An under-manned United played their heads off and beat a strong North Salem team 5-3. Strong play all around with goals tallied by Julian Patino who had 2, Brandon Wang on a penalty kick , Kayden Pisani and Kyle DeLucia. Caeser Blanco provided several assists and strong skills on offense. Strong defense was lead by Kayden Pisani, Joseph Ruiz and Brandon. Both Jayden Morocho and Jadyen De La Cruz were very active up and down the field. Dylan Valenti played a commanding goalkeeper with several strong saves. United is now 3-2 this season.

2009 Boys Red Lions travelled to the LMFC Blue United. The score is unavailable. On June 2, the Red Lions will travel to the Chappaqua Chargers.

2008 Girls Red Comets, coached by Joe Block and Sven Armster, fell 3-1 on the road against the Rye Legends. They will host a make-up game on Saturday June 1 at 3pm at Peabody field against the West Side Red Bulls and then will travel to the West Side Red Bulls on Sunday June 2 for another game. The Red Comets are currently 0-4 this spring season.

2008 Boys Fusion played another close game against the Shrub Oak Fusion. While their 0-4-1 record may not show it, Fusion have been playing well and staying competitive in games. While initially falling behind 1-0, Fusion went into halftime tied at 1 when Sean Mackiewicz scored off a breakaway on a throw-in. It would be Fusion’s only score, as the numerous other attempts went wide of their marks. Fusion’s defense got tired and Shrub Oak would score two goals toward the game’s end. On June 2, Fusion will travel to the Castleford Wild.

2008 Boys River Sharks, coached by Ed Greenberg, Gerardo Soto and Michael Glynn, travelled to the Castleford Wild and came away with a 7-2 win. They will play a make-up game on Saturday June 1 at 5pm at Peabody field against the LMFC Gold Knights and host Munay on June 2 at 3pm at Hackley School. The River Sharks are currently sitting in first place of their division with an undefeated 4-0 record.

2007 Girls Blaze

Blaze Coach John Sutherland and Team Manager/Mom Annette O'Hanlon had to wonder if their team would be sluggish playing their first WYSL Division 1 game 1 after two consecutive weekends of rainouts. The recent weather did seem to have at least some lingering effect in the early going against Somers in Somers, as several Blaze passes seemed just a hair off, and several shots on goal just seemed to find the gloves of the opposing goalie rather than finding the back of the net. The Blaze, who had 3 clean sheets in the first three games of their Spring season, went down 1 - 0 in the 10th minute of the first half when some nice side passing from one corner of the Blaze net to the other corner resulted in a quick strike that found the back of the net.

Being down for the first time all season seemed to rejuvenate the Blaze and shake the rust off, as moments later Sami "Beast Mode" Marvin out maneuvered and out muscled an older opposing player in the corner and passed to striker Gemma Fante who made a nice pass back to forward Kayla McGuigan. Kayla's high hard shot found the back of the net and the Blaze had pulled even before the half. The Somers team was determined to resume their lead, but great team defense did not allow that to happen. On two separate occasions worthy of noting, when Blaze goalie Emily Aridas was off her feet diving to deflect a ball that stayed in play, defenders, Meghan O'Hanlon, Gabby Disney, and Penny McVey went to the goalie line to prevent a clean shot on an empty goal should Somers recover the ball.

Less than 5 minutes into the second half, when forward Julissa Casiano was racing down the sideline and drew a foul, teammate Kayla McGuigan scored her second goal of the game on a penalty shot from just outside the box. As if to say thank you, two Blaze possessions later, Kayla McGuigan passed to Julissa, who had a quick kick from just inside the box and put the Blaze ahead 3 - 1.

Now desperate to even the score, Somers applied relentless pressure the remainder of the second half. Somers' shots were often voided before being made, as strong defensive play by Zoey Murphy and Penny McVey, partnering with midfielders Lizzie Molina and Meghan O'Hanlon prevented a shot on goal. Somers was able to get their second goal with about 7 minutes remaining in the game. Anxious to tie the game, Somers players always followed their shots. With only moments to go, Emily's 18th save of the game, a jumping save and subsequent rebound catch in the face of an onrushing striker kept the final score 3 - 2 in favor of the Blaze.

The Blaze won despite being short handed. Forward Ellie Fox was unable to make the game, which was rescheduled to an early morning match due to a field conflict at Somers, and midfielder Juliana Marvin supported her team verbally from the sidelines wearing a cast on her arm, but was unable to play in the game.

In their next game, scheduled for Hackley field on June 2 against the Munay Earthquakes, hopefully the Blaze will be back at full strength as they seek to defend their WYSL Division 1 Girls U-12 Championship.

PICTURED: Blaze team warmups

2007 Boys Dynamo played a make-up game on Saturday against the LMFC Yellow Gunners in the tall grass of Peabody Field, which made it difficult for both teams to move the ball. After a goal by Leo Mejia, LMFC also scored and the game was tied 1-1. Two more LMFC goals would go in to make the final score 3-1. Goalie Jack McCarthy capably saved numerous other Scarsdale attempts and three players from 2008’s Fusion helped Dynamo’s short roster this weekend, and with that help in the heat, the team only had 1 sub, so the boys played hard.

Sunday’s game against the Scarsdale Lille ended in a 2-2 tie. Dynamo’s goals were scored by Anthony Chimbo and Jack Zhunio. With a spring record of 3-1-1, Dynamo are tied for first in their division. They host the Greenburgh United Hornets at 12 noon at Hackley School field on June 2.

2007 Boys Dutchmen played a make-up game on Saturday. On the road against the Scarsdale Monaco, the Dutchmen prevailed 5-3. On Sunday at home, they played to a 2-2 tie against the Castleford Mercury. With a record of 4-0-1- and sitting at the top of their division, they will travel to the Rye Brook Rampage on June 2.

2006 Girls Storm fell 3-1 at home against the Mahopac Strikers. The Storm are 4-1 this spring season and have a bye on June 2.

2006 Boys Firebolts, coached by Ricardo Gonzalez, lost on the road in a 4-3 nailbiter against the Valhalla Vikings. They are 2-3 so far this season and travel to the Rye Rogue Wave on June 2.

2006 Boys Warriors had a bye this past weekend. At 2-2 on the season, they host the Rivertowns United Green Bulldogs on June 2 at Washington Irving field at 12noon.

2005 Girls Cyclones faced the Pleasantville Warriors Sunday and both teams had to contend with the heat on the turf. The Cyclones had to adjust to Pleasantville’s game of long through balls, and once they did, they began to settle the ball and play their game. Twelve minutes in the Cyclones were awarded a corner kick. A Pleasantville defender jumped, made contact with her hand, and gained advantage. The penalty kick was called by the ref. Thalia T. took the kick and scored the first goal. The teams battled, but Pleasantville would tie it up in the first 10 minutes of the second half. Our offense continued to attack but was unlucky in scoring. Goalie Lauren K. had numerous saves including three diving saves, while Angie S., Bell M., and Ywomie M. played as a tight unit on defense until the final whistle. Every member of the team made a contribution during this game, helping the Cyclones end the game with a tie.

2005 Boys Legends bested Castleford 3-1 at Washington Irving field on Sunday with an early Castleford goal responded to with an effort from distance from Kenneth, a through ball from Kenneth to Nikhil who crossed for Kieran to score and another long range goal from Kenneth just before the final whistle. Legends are 2-0 on the road against the Castleford Tornadoes. On June 2, they travel to the Spring Valley Black.

2005 Boys Red Devils played to a 1-0 victory at home against the FC Transylvania Barca White. The Red Devils, coached by Francisco Mendieta, Mark Taylor, and Cedric Smith, are 2-3 so far this spring season. They host the Manhattan Mustangs at 1:45pm on June 2 at Washington Irving field.

JV Girls Strikers had a bye this week. They are currently 0-3-1 and will travel to the Valhalla Vikings on June 2.

JV Boys Los Gauchos, who are currently 3-1-1,travelled to the Rye Book Renegades and came away with a 5-0 victory. On June 2, they will host the Shrub Oak Hornets at 3:30pm at Washington Irving Field.

2002 Varsity Girls Mustangs fell 0-2 to the West Side Red Bulls in the Bronx. Missing 5 starting players including both keepers and all middle-midfielders, the Mustangs struggled to maintain possession, create scoring opportunities, and had too many unforced turn-overs. Lily Rodriguez was defensive player of the game shutting down the Red Bull star forward and earning a frustration induced shove-summersault foul. Carolina Lopez stepped up in the middle-midfield earning praise and coaching advice from a random former professional Nigerian player/Bronx spectator. Sophia Khosrowshahi was overall player of the game making many dangerous runs, properly positioning herself to receive crosses, playing full speed in the heat, and even spelling some defenders. The girls enjoyed the lively Bronx ambiance while dodging field incursions from three different inebriated homeless field-crossers and one Somali-style family picnic.

2002 Varsity Boys Horsemen fell 5-2 on the road against the John Jay Purple. On June 2, they will travel to the Edgemont Force, hoping to improve upon their 1-3-1 record this spring.

For more information about SHFC, please visit http://www.sleepyhollowfc.com.