SHFC Spring Soccer Season Begins: Week 1 Highlights

It was opening weekend for Sleepy Hollow Football Club. Despite the rain, teams were eager to be back on the field, and coaches and parents alike were thrilled to see the players in action. Some games were a rain out and others played on. Here are a few of the highlights from last weekend’s games. Great job, SHFC!

This weekend is a great one for soccer. Stay tuned for more on this week’s games.

The Girls Varsity Mustangs started their tenth year and final season at home against the West Side Red Bulls. The Mustangs were strong early, controlling possession and earning many scoring opportunities. Talia Fante scored first sweeping in to capitalize on a keeper deflection off an Arianna Vizcaino shot to the low post. The Mustangs increased their lead to 2-0 when visiting college soccer star Evelin Chacha, currently playing for SUNY Delhi, penetrated in the box and sent the ball back for Arianna to score with a blast from 35 yards out. In the second half the Mustangs appeared fatigued and the Red Bulls capitalized off their first corner kick making it a 2-1 contest. Talia and Arianna teamed up again to end the game 3-1 when Talia dribbled in and disarmed the keeper for her second goal from a well-placed Arianna second assist. Talia was player of the game with two goals scored. The under age 19 Mustang win was made possible with the help of "borrowed from the Blaze" under age 14 keeper Emily Aridas who played like a varsity pro. The Mustangs next play Manhattan Portero at home who lost their opener to Landsdowne Yonkers 1-2.

The Girls Varsity Red Angels team had their first game of the spring season in a steady downpour in Pelham. Despite the weather the girls had a positive attitude as were ready for the game. The game started off a little slow as both sides were trying to get a feel for each other as well as how the pitch was with the very wet conditions. Pelham started pressing but our defense led by Ywomie as sweeper and Alicia as goalkeeper kept their attacks neutralized. Halfway thought the first half the team started finding their stride and was having the better of the play. Our attack led by Ali in her attacking midfield role fed Thalia a very well-placed through ball utilizing her speed that resulted in the opening goal. Before half time the score was leveled by a very poor missed call from the referee. The opposing player was 7 yards offside (there was no official assistant referee for that side) and I don't know how the referee could have missed it. Despite our pleas, he let the goal stand. Before the end of the half, Ywo sustained an injury with a brave tackle in the penalty area to block a dangerous attack. We adjusted by moving Angie, our stopper, and Lily, a forward, to stopper. This combination proved to work well.

The second half continued with even harder rain and our opponents had a corner kick and sent a well-placed ball into our area that was not cleared out and fell to one of their players that put them ahead. The Red Angels continued to press determined to tie up the game up again. We tried to use our wide by pushing the ball to our wingers Shea and Caitlyn to try and spread out their defense. This strategy worked opening a passing lane that allowed our sweeper Angie to find the forward Diana on a breakthrough. Diana was able to successfully dribble around the keeper and find the back of the net, again tying the game. Our opponents played a very oppressive, physical game using their size, and in my opinion, unfair play. They were targeting our attacking midfielder Ali just chopping at her ankles and shins (referee allowed) which resulted in her coming out of the game. Our opponents built one more successful attack that resulted in their "winning" goal. (Again, this game should have ended in a tie.) We move on and learn from these situations and look forward to our next game at home against Shrub Oak at 12:45.

The Junior Varsity Red Legends defeated Pelham 5-2 to open defense of their fall premier league championship. Coach Frank Mendietta had the boys ready to play as they came out firing on all cylinders. Despite missing many shots on goal and even a penalty kick they managed to take a 1-0 lead when Aiden Smith struck first. Pelham tied the score before the half and at the start of the second half the Red Legends resumed the lead only to be tied again. Finally, the Red Legends took control with 3 unanswered goals to finish the game 5-2. Frank Mendieta and Aiden Smith led scorers with 2 goals each and Dylan Orellana added 1. The Red Legends next travel to Shrub Oak to face a hot Hornets team that dispatched Landsdowne Yonkers 8-0 opening day.

The Sleepy Hollow Blaze, the defending WYSL Premier U-14 Champions, opened the Spring season against the Munay Earthquakes in Ossining on Sunday morning. Coached by John Sutherland and assisted by Annette O'Hanlon, the Blaze were fresh from a tournament victory at Chelsea Piers in Stamford where the Blaze whitewashed 4 opponents, not allowing a single goal during the event.

With most of the first-half play on the offensive side of the field, it looked like the Blaze would take a lead in the tenth minute of the contest when midfielder Daisy Star passed to forward Cassie Junge on the right sideline. Cassie used her superior speed to beat her defender, but her shot was wide of the net when the Munay goalie came out to challenge the breakaway. Fifteen minutes into the game, Blaze forward Gemma Fante made a nice pass back to defensemen Gabby Disney who made a long shot from the 30-yard line. Deeper than most players like to kick from, but Gabby's strong leg allows her to take shots from deep. However, her shot was off the mark and to the side of the Munay goal. However, the ensuing goalie kick was alertly intercepted by Blaze forward Sami "Beast Mode" Marvin who stepped in front of the intended target. Sami dribbled just briefly toward the goal and her kick to the far post put the Blaze ahead 1 - 0.

Throughout the second half, the Earthquakes put pressure on the Blaze defense. In the 56th minute, Blaze goalie Emily Aridas, who had only 1 save opportunity in the first half, made the save of the day as she punched a lined shot that hit the crossbar and rebounded back into play. Leaping to her feet, the Blaze goalie was able to call off her defenders and pounce on the ball in the box to ensure she would be able to punt or throw the ball downfield.

With the Blaze clinging to a 1 - 0 lead in the 78th minute of play, the Blaze were able to relieve the tension with some great team and individual play. Midfielder Daisy Star was able to beat several players to a loose ball on the sidelines and in advancing the ball through traffic was able to draw a foul near the 30 yard line. Blaze forward Ellie Fox took the free kick and was able to send a hard kick over the defenders heads and to the feet of Blaze forward Lizzie Molina. Lizzie one-touched the ball to fellow forward Gemma Fante who's high arcing shot cleared the outstretched fingertips of the Munay goalie but was just under the crossbar. Gemma's shot put the Blaze ahead 2 - 0.

Determined to at least cut the deficit, the Eathquakes redoubled their efforts to put shots on goal. However, defensemen Zoey Murphy, Meghan O'Hanlon, Jhoselyn Pugo, and Juliana Marvin were up to the task of challenging Munay strikers and blocking many shots before their goalie even needed to make a save. When necessary, Blaze goalie Emily Aridas did make the save, successfully stopping all eight shots on goal in the second half.

After celebrating their 2-0 victory, the Blaze will look to continue their season next Sunday in a noon time showdown against the John Jay Purple Team. The Blaze hope for reinforcements as teammates Lily Wurster and Kimmy Molina missed the game against the Earthquakes due to their commitments. Fans should wear face masks and follow safety protocols for the noontime game which will be held at Sleepy Hollow High School, where many of the Blaze players will one day play for the high school team.

The SHFC 2008 Boys Fusion hosted the Rye Reds at Washington Irving School field for their first game of the spring season. Halfway through the first half, Josh Ortiz scored on a penalty kick after Rye's handball in the goal box. Minutes later, Rye would equalize in a moment of congestion in front of Fusion's goal. Rye would score an own goal just before halftime.

As the rain came down hard, much of the second half was deadlocked in fairly even play. With 8 minutes left in the game, Rye would tie the game at 2 on a penalty kick. Fusion pressed hard, determined to score and did on Ortiz's breakaway to Jayden Perez for a 3-2 victory. This was a well matched, albeit messy game, and Fusion will meet the Reds again later this season in hopefully better weather.

Fusion goalie Pierce Davis did an excellent job with many key saves and clears of a wet ball. Additional shots on goal were made by Sebastian Londono, Eoghan Glynn, Kieran Degen, Luke Tonaj, Sean Mackiewicz and Ian Papadopoulos. Luca Simbana and Aiden Lee led an excellent defensive effort, aided by Luca Dominguez, Bruno Flores, Alessandro Soto and Edwin Dutan in midfield, and a rotation of Dylan Largo, Raul Socualaya and Shyam Manjanath.

Fusion and their fans are looking forward to a spirited spring season. They host the Doxa-Wolfgang T-Wolves next Sunday at 11am at WI School field.