Rainy Soccer More of a Trick Than a Treat on October 27

While our teams play in all sorts of weather, very often in complete downpours, games need to be cancelled in order to preserve the integrity of the fields. A few SHFC teams saw action this weekend, while others saw their games cancelled. The four teams who played Sunday in a torrential downpour exemplified determination and skill in truly difficult conditions. Most teams now have three weeks left in the season to make moves in their division and if the league decides is necessary, schedule a make-up of the game that was just cancelled.

Here are recaps of the games which did happen this weekend, as well as status reports of where our teams are with 3 weekends left in the fall season:

Boys 2011 All Reds did not play their regularly-scheduled game against the Chappaqua Navy. By league rules given the age group, this game does not have to be rescheduled. On November 3, they host the New Rochelle Strong at 2:45 at Pocantico Hills School field.

Girls 2011 Chaos did not play against the Pelham Inferno on October 27 and this game will not be rescheduled. Looking ahead to November 3, Chaos will host New Rochelle Raptors at 11am at Pocantico Hills School Field. Chaos are coached by Kevin Richardson and John Sutherland.

2010 Girls Bandits were scheduled to play the Chappaqua Lightning, but this game does not have to be rescheduled. On Sunday November 3, the Bandits, who are coached by Michael Levine, host the Mahopac Storm at 1:30pm at Pocantico Hills School field.

2010 Boys Shadow traveled to Manhattan in the windy rain Sunday to face off against Asphalt Green B2010 Academy. In their first game in New York City, the boys needed a few plays to wake up and shake off the inclement weather. Goalkeeper Leo Zohar saw a lot of action near his goal for the Shadows early as Manhattan scored two goals in the first few minutes off of turnovers. Later, as the team got used to the smaller field, Luca Bruno had a nice pass to Joaquin Rodriguez, who shot multiple times on goal. Jackson Pena was strong as forward, directing a shot past the Asphalt Green goalie to cut the deficit in half, 2-1.

Halftime proved to be a motivational one as the Shadows came out much stronger in the second half. Denis Suqui and Duncan Barron both had nice attempts on goal as the Shadows built pressure throughout the half. Rodriguez, perfectly positioned off a corner kick, tied the score and Elion Ashiru quickly sank the next goal on a hard, low shot to give the Shadows the lead.

The team now fully relaxed despite the worsening weather, Nico Barbosa displayed cool and controlled ball handling and Branden Wang was a strong asset on defense. Jayden Morocho demonstrated what it means to never give up and win a ball. In the final minutes, he shook off a defender and then passed to Andrew Lucchetti, who landed a beautifully curved ball in the top corner of Manhattan’s goal to bring the final score to 4-2.

Next week the Shadows face off against Manhattan Dynamo at Pocantico field at 12:15pm.

2009 Girls Red Fury were rained out on October 27 against the Shrub Oak Cyclones. On November 3, the Red Fury will travel to the JPSC Red. The Red Fury are 2-4 on the fall season so far and are coached by Katie McMahon and Jim McGovern.

2009 Boys United should have played the Greenburgh United Predators, but the game was rained-out. On November 3, they will travel to the Bedford Avalanche. United are coached by John Patino and are currently 6-0 atop their division.

2009 Boys Red Lions did not play the Port Chester Blues due to the weather. On November 3, they will host the LMFC White United at 12noon at Hackley School field. The Red Lions have a 3-1-2 record in division 1 of their age group.

2008 Girls Red Comets had their game against the Pelham Devils rained out. On November 3, they travel to the LMFC Blue Pumas. The Red Comets are 4-2 on the fall season so far.

2008 Boys Fusion were rained out of their scheduled game against the New Rochelle Rockets. Looking ahead to Sunday November 3, Fusion will travel to the Wolfgang Hubbies. Coached by Ken Mackiewicz, Michael Degen and George Papadopoulos, Fusion have a 3-0-3 record and are in second place of their division.

2008 Boys River Sharks saw a rainout against the division-leading Rye Brook Rush. With a record of 3-2-1, they host the Yorktown Clash on November 3 at 1:30pm at Hackley School field.

2007 Girls Blaze did not play their regularly scheduled game on the road against the John Jay Purple. On November 3, they host the Yorktown Tsunami at 2pm at the SHHS turf field. The Blaze, who are coached by John Sutherland and Jim Wurster,are 3-1-2 and sit in second place of their age group’s Premier Division.

2007 Boys Dynamo played a make-up game on Saturday October 26 against the FC Somers Galaxy. Down a few players, Dynamo welcomed Ian and Edwin from the 2008 Fusion team. The Galaxy scored two goals pretty swiftly before Dynamo found a groove. Michael, on a breakaway, passed to Ian for a swift tap-in goal. A few minutes later, Justin passed to Ian who in turn passed to Jake for an attempt. It struck the goalpost and the goalie couldn’t handle it, and Jake was able to score off his rebound for the equalizing score.

Tied at 2 at halftime, Dynamo was unable to hold its defense in the second half and ultimately allowed 4 unanswered goals. Final score of 6-2, the boys fall to a record of 2-5. On November 3, they will have a pre-scheduled bye week.

2007 Boys Dutchmen prevailed 4-0 against the Pelham Galaxy. Since the game took place on turf, mud was not an issue but the downpour and wind still created difficult conditions for both teams. Kudos to the Dutchmen, who showed a lot of grit. The Dutchmen are 3-1-3 so far this season.

On November 3, they will host the division-leading Rivertowns United Lightning Bolts at 1pm at Washington Irving school field.

2006 Girls Storm saw a rain-out in their match against the Bedford Strikers. On November 3, they host the Shrub Oak Thunder at 2:45 at Washington Irving School field. With a 2-3-1 record in Division 1 of their age group, the Storm are coached by Kevin Richardson, Tom Andruss, and Deepak Kapoor.

2006 Boys Firebolts, coached by Matt Weidner, were rained out of their game against the New Rochelle Revolution. On November 3, they travel to the division-leading Lansdowne Yonkers Cougars. The Firebolts are 2-3-1 in Division 2 of their age group.

2006 Boys Warriors also saw a rain-out in their road game against the Don Bosco Hawks Thunder. On November 3, they travel to the Alba Sharks. The Warriors have an even 3-3 record in their division.

2005 Girls Cyclones

A 9:00 game is challenging enough. A 9:00 game after one of the most celebrated days in Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow makes it even tougher. Then add in a chilling, steady rain, that would cancel afternoon games. However, the Cyclones arrived ready to play. With only 11 players and a lot of enthusiasm, the team took the field. They understood the wet conditions would play a significant role in the game. Passes to feet, and give and goes got the Cyclones on the attack immediately, leading to a shot on goal that was deflected by the keeper, only to be put in the net by Thalia T. off the rebound. Harrison retaliated quickly, tying up the game. The tie lasted well into the half until Harrison capitalized on a through ball, putting them up by one goal at the end of the half.

The Cyclones knew they had to remain strong and focused to come back and win in the second half. Our defensive team, Angie S., Amy T., Emily R., and Isabelle M., along with goalie Lauren K. repeatedly shut Harrison down, feeding the ball to our midfield, Lilly L., Thalia T., Shea B., and Isabella L. They, in turn, worked seamlessly with strikers Colleen C. and Caitlyn O. to pressure Harrison’s defense. The Cyclone’s passes were quick and strategically placed which enabled Thalia to receive the ball and bring it up the field. Thalia noticed the goalie far out and took a shot on goal; the ball skipped on the wet turf, passed the goalie, and found the back of the net. The game was tied. The second half seemed long, with the two teams vying for a victory. With about 15 minutes left, Colleen C. was there to knock the ball in the net off a corner kick from Thalia T. The Cyclones were up by one. Harrison did not back down and there were many close calls. However, the Cyclones didn’t let up and worked the ball upfield. Caitlyn O. received the ball and scored with 5 minutes left to secure the victory for the Cyclones. The final score, 4-2 Cyclones.

2005 Boys Red Legends remain undefeated in the premier division beating Port Chester 4-1 in the cold rain. David Urgiles scored the first two goals, one from distance and one off a beautiful cross. Aiden Smith turned on the jets for score three and four.....blowing by defenders and beating the keeper both times. Port Chester caused one Red Legends own goal off a deflected defensive clearance. The Red Legends lead the league in offense and defense and look to possibly clinch the championship two weeks early this weekend with a Saturday/Sunday double header against second place Rivertowns.

JV Boys Los Gauchos did not play on the road against the East Ramapo Braves due to the rain. On Sunday November 3, they travel to the Rye Brook Warriors. Los Gauchos have a 3-4 record in the Premier League of their Junior Varsity division.

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