Several Sleepy Hollow Football Club Teams Eye Championships

SHFC Varsity Premier Mustangs

The Girls Varsity Mustangs had a Saturday and Sunday game both with Yonkers. The Mustangs again found attendance problematic with only 9 team mates showing up to the games. Luckily several players from other teams chipped in to help the Mustangs compete, including Alison Jara from the Red Angels, Ashley Richardson and Isabella Vinces from the Storm, and Gemma Fante and Emily Aridas from the Blaze. On Saturday the Mustangs were victorious 3-1 with goals scored by Melanie Urgiles from an Alison assist and then two goals by Alison from two Talia Fante assists. Keeper Emily Aridas made a great save of a penalty kick after one of many suspect calls from the officiating crew. On Sunday a different collection of players started off with an early 1-0 lead after Talia Fante scored on a penalty kick but later fell 1-2. The Mustangs have saved up their biggest game of the year for their last game ever as they face undefeated champion Don Bosco Hawks away. After the game the girls will have a big party to celebrate their 10 years as a team.

SHFC BV Los Gauchos Premier

See highlights from the June 6 win for Los Gauchos

SHFC Los Gauchos won 3-0 away at Don Bosco Hawks premier.

SHFC Los Gauchos have been devastated by injuries this season, losing 7 players before the season started, but are currently in 2nd Place in WYSL's most difficult division: Varsity Boys Premier Division. SHFC Argentina has provided guest players the entire season, kudos to a great group of dedicated players.

SHFC BV Argentina

See highlights from the June 6 win for Argentina

SHFC Argentina currently occupy 1st place in their division. A win or draw this upcoming weekend away at Manhattan will clinch the title. SHFC Argentina was formed over the winter and is made up of mostly 2006 and 2005 players. SHFC Argentina has the youngest varsity roster in WYSL's 3 Divisions.

SHFC Argentina hosted the SHFC Horsemen at Sleepy Hollow HS and achieved a 4-1 victory under extreme temperatures, which reached 135 on the Turf.

Fielding a large squad and bolstered by our brother team, the SHFC JV Red Legends guest players, the team was ready to take another step towards a title.

Goals by Billy, Patrick, Frank and Dylan highlighted a strong performance by Argentina who controlled the game from start to finish.

Watch: SHFC Argentina Varsity. All Goals vs SHFC Horsemen, 06-06-2021:

https://youtu.be/6_6J9imgmDE

SHFC Blaze

The Sleepy Hollow FC Blaze took on the first-place Castleford Lions in Armonk Sunday afternoon, and emerged victorious.

Pressing from the outset, the Blaze jumped ahead in the 10th minute of the match when Daisy Star made a perfect throw-in to striker Cassie Jung and Cassie made a nice centering pass to Gemma Fante. A handball by the defenseman was the only way to avoid a breakaway. On the ensuing free kick, defenseman Zoey Murphy, for the second week in a row, used her strong leg to send a perfect arcing kick over the leaping outstretched glove of the opposing goalie and give the Blaze the lead. However, 14 minutes later a strong kick by a Lion striker struck the square post of the goal and rebounded into the back of the net, knotting the score at 1. However, Corinna Armster, on assists from Juliana Marvin and Julissa Cassiano scored a goal past the Lion goalie to put the Blaze ahead 2 - 1 in the 36th minute of the match. Two plays in particular kept the Blaze ahead 2 - 1 at the half. The first was when Blaze goalie Emily Aridas made a diving stop of a Lion strike and also received a kick to the gut by an opposing player that did not result in a penalty. The second play was just seconds before the whistle when a successful 1 v 1 challenge of an onrushing Blaze striker by the Lions goalie was the only thing that kept the Blaze from being ahead 3 - 1 at halftime.

After the half Blaze Coaches John Sutherland and Annette O'Hanlon had their team keep the pressure on the Castleford Lions. Midfielders Lizzie Molina and Meghan O'Hanlon used a combination of their speed, superior positioning and sheer determination to reach every loose ball and challenge every attempted upfield pass by a Lions midfielder. In the 11th minute of the second half, Daisy Star, who all day was launching long accurate throw-ins for the team, hit Sammi Marvin on a perfect throw-in. Sammi dribbled into the corner and a perfect crossing pass just in front of the Lion net resulted in a self-goal by the Castleford team. Had the Lion defensemen let the ball go, Blaze forward Jhoselyn Pugo was perfectly positioned to put the Blaze ahead 3 - 1 regardless. Blaze newcomer Biance Lopez Parnetti came off the bench and helped her team with two key interceptions of clearing passes. With just minutes to play, Julissa Cassiano, making her first match of the season for the Blaze, received a perfect centering pass from Gemma Fante and used her great footwork to dribble past two Lion defenders and her quick shot found the back of the net and put the Blaze ahead by the final score of 4 - 1.

Next week the Blaze, who won the 2020 Fall Premier division in their age group and the 2019 Spring Premier division in their age group will be looking for another Premier Division Championship when they take on the Chappaqua Cheetah's in a game scheduled on Father's Day at 9 am at Washington Irving.

SHFC Fusion

Fusion, SHFC's boys 2008 team, travelled to the Rivertowns United Wolfpack already having clinched the spring championship in their division.

Fusion took control of the game from the outset and kept the Wolfpack on the defensive. In minute 10, Luke Tonaj scored off a looping kick from the corner. Minutes later, a shot from Kieran Degen, nudged in by Sebastian Londono, would make the game 2-0. After a strike by Luca Dominguez, Fusion went into halftime up 3-0.

Coaches Mackiewicz and Degen mixed things up in the second half, allowing players to try different positions and formations. Aiden Lee, usually one of Fusion's most stalwart defensemen, moved up to forward and surprised even himself with two well timed goals -- his first ever during a Fusion game! Second half goals also came from a speedy Eoghan Glynn, a determined Dylan Largo, and a well-placed Tonaj. Fusion scored eight goals total.

The Wolfpack's goalie performed very well, and remained level-headed in a lopsided game, managing to thwart numerous other attempts and pressure from Josh Ortiz, Ian Papadopoulos, Sean Mackiewicz, Jayden Perez, Shyam Manjanath and Edwin Dutan.

Noteworthy defensive play came, as usual, from the very reliable Luca Simbana and Bruno Flores, who helped keep the Wolfpack's attempts to a minimum. Jonathan Figeroa in goal did a great job, blocking a few shots. Degen, usually the player who runs ceaselessly on offense and defense, shifted gears and volunteered to play goalie for part of the second half. While some chaotic moments resulted in two Wolfpack goals, Degen had a great save and Fusion's fans were thrilled by his play.

Fusion, with a 9-1 record, looks forward to closing out their winning spring season at home against Pelham on Sunday.

SHFC Red Fury

A big game for Red Fury this past Sunday, with much hanging in the balance; securing this win against the Harrison Breakers could put Red Fury into a higher division next season. Rad Fury started strong with Rose Ritz, Sofia Cruz and Lauren Monachelli as forwards. Brianne Rodriguez and Rachel Richardson in midfield, Kate Masters, Maiyumi Marcus-Kanesaka and Sawara Ketkar as defenders, and finally with Meghan McMahon as the goalie.

Within two short minutes Sofia Cruz had already taken her first shot at the goal. Red Fury kept the pressure on, with excellent positioning and teamwork. By minute five Lauren got a really good shot in too. Harrison’s excellent goal-keeping kept these fantastic shots at bay, but by minute ten, they couldn’t hold us back any longer. The patented Sofia kick from midfield allowed Rose to land the first goal.

The Breakers couldn't break past Red Fury defenders, Kate turned the ball around every time and Red Fury kept the pressure on Harrison. Within minutes Brianne’s assist helped Lauren score the second goal of the day. With a couple scores in the bag, coach Katie McMahon gave some players a break. Natalie Coffman and Meadow Gurreri subbed for Maiyumi and Brianne, bringing even more energy to the game.

However, the tides turned against us and Red Fury finally began to feel push back from the Breakers. Kate, Natalie and Meadow tag teamed to always turn that ball back around. It was only a matter of time before their efforts would pay off again and a great assist from Rachel to Sofia, secured the third goal of the game. Maiyumi subbed for Rachel after that great assist. Julia Maad and Mia Gurreri relieved Lauren and Sofia in midfield. Defenders, Swara, Natalie and Kate made sure Meghan stayed bored in the goal box and the first time Mehgan saw any action was a full 15 minutes into the game. The team always assured it made its way back up the field.

Megan finally got to see the ball again about 30 minutes in, and kicked it 1/2 way up the field to give Mia a great shot at the goal. With assists from Maiyumi, Mia kept the pressure on and gave Julia a pro shot at the goal, before 1/2 time. We came back from 1/2 time with Lauren and Meghan as forwards, Rachel, Sofia, and Brianne as midfielders, Maiyumi, Swara, and Kate as defenders, and Rose in the goal.

Megan, Kate and Lauren had a great play but the Harrison keeper was solid. Finally Sofia broke through and scored goal number four. More excellent teamwork; Maiyumi pushed the ball up the field and made a well-timed pass to Lauren, who passed to Megan, who charged in for goal five.

Lauren took a hit, everyone took a knee, and was relieved to see her walk off. Still with one teammate down, Red Fury’s morale sank. The ball encroached on the goal. Luckily, coach changed up the energy, Sofia subbed for Lauren. Julia and Meadow took the midfield. Natalie, Maiyumi and Mia took defense. At min 50, goalie Rose finally had a chance to defend the goal. Success! Fury quickly pushed it back up the field and with only minutes left in the game Rachel got two great shots at the goal, landing the second. This marked Red Fury's sixth and final goal. With only minutes left on the clock, Harrison soldiered on and delivered but Mia and Rose held strong defending the goal until the bitter end. The final score of Red Fury vs Harrison Breakers is six zero.

SHFC Chaos

Chaos, SHFC's 2011 girls team, played a friendly game on Saturday in Pleasantville and their final game of the season on Sunday on their home field at Washington Irving School. After a great spring season, where the girls really honed their skills and grew as a team, the coaches and families were really proud of the team's play. New to the team this spring is Coach Everett, who provided great insight into the game's fundamentals. The Chaos family wants to applaud the enthusiasm and commitment of Coach Judkins, who sadly is leaving the area for a new professional opportunity. He and his two daughters, Arlee and Ella, who are spirited competitors and supportive teammates, will be greatly missed.

Kudos to Ali, Amelia, Arlee, Claire, Ella, Evelyn, Gabby, Kaylee, Olivia, Piper, Rebecca, Saffie, Savannah and Zoe on a great season. Go Chaos!

SHFC All Reds

The Boys U10 All Reds traveled all the way to South Salem to play John Jay to play a spirited match in tall, thick grass. The boys had little trouble dispatching their foes in purple and walked away with a 7-1 victory. Goal scorers included the Van Lent twins, the Scherich twins, Ryan McMahon, and Matthew Zhuzhingo. Finishing scoring opportunities has been a goal for the last few weeks of practice and it seemed to pay off this week. The final game of the season will be at home at WI next week. Go All Reds!

SHFC Gators

The 2012 Gators took their home field again on Sunday 6/13, looking to keep their perfect record in tact against the Eastchester Dash.

Down a key goal scorer in Siena S, and with one of their top defenders in Gabby G playing sparingly because of injury, the Gators relied on their impressive depth to handle the Dash 4-1 on this Sunday morning.

Applying constant pressure from the back line to the front, the Gators tallied several early shots on goal. This pressure soon paid off, as Ella P drew first blood to make it 1-0 Gators about 1/2 way through the first half. The remainder of the half was evenly contested, with the home team taking a 1-0 lead into half time.

The Dash managed to draw even at 1-1 early in the second half. Similar the previous contests, the Gators’ speed, tenacity and teamwork quickly kicked into overdrive, resulting in 3 unanswered goals.

Multiple trips inside the Dash’s box resulted in a handball against the away team. Melody R. cashed in on the PK to put the Gators up 2-1.

Ella P then deposited a beautifully struck corner kick from Oli M into the back of the net to give the Gators a two goal lead, 3-1.

Melody R then scored on a scrum in front of the net, giving the Gators a 4-1 cushion.

The Gators defense really managed to tilt the field in the final minutes, ‘dashing’ any hopes of an Eastchester comeback.

The Gators take their undefeated record on the road next week, as they take on rival Castleford Sky in the fall campaign’s final contest.