Sleepy Hollow Football Club's Fall 2020 Season is Underway!

After a cancelled Spring 2020 season, SHFC is happy to have begun the Fall 2020 season, with 22 SHFC teams playing in the Westchester Youth Soccer League. Games take place across several neighboring counties over the next 10 weeks. More than 300 local players wear the SHFC colors and over 30 volunteer coaches and managers help guide them through competitive league play. This year, while there are new restrictions and procedures given the Covid19 pandemic, our players and their families were happy to be back on the soccer field for the first time in 2020.

Here are the SHFC team results for this past week:

The Gators are a new SHFC team this year, comprised of girls born in 2012 or younger. On Sunday, September 27, they travelled to the Edgemont Xtreme, where they scored a decisive victory. The team showed cohesion, speed, and truly solid play from all players at all positions. A spectator could not have guessed that the team was playing their first game together after only a handful of practices. The Gators are coached by John Sutherland and Mike Weitzen. On Sunday, they will travel to the Rye Book Thunder.

The Red Devils, comprised of boys born in 2012 or younger, are also a new team. This week they travelled to the Yorktown Avalanche. The score is not available. They are coached by Gary Fairley, assisted by Antonio Muinos and Ken Mackiewicz.

Mercury is a new SHFC team this year, comprised of girls born in 2012 or 2011. For their first game together, they travelled to the Bedford Dynamo.

In the coming weeks, Mercury will practice hard to pass well and hold positions, so that they continue to grow their individual and team skills as they proceed with their budding SHFC careers. This week, the girls showed a lot of enthusiasm, energy, and commitment, which was not reflected by the game's 6-1 score. Mercury's defenders moved well and showed much promise, in particular, Ella M., Ashley V., and Zoe P. Mercury's offense moved the ball well and steadily improved over the course of the game. Several shots on goal were brought by Marylin S., Brie W., Mia Sc. and Gabriella V. In goal, Kaylee X. showed promise during the first half as well as on the field in the second half. Amelia O., Julia R., Mia Sa., and Cameron Z. played numerous positions on both sides of the ball, showing great hustle and field awareness. They are coached by George Papadopoulos and Dan Wolins. On Sunday, Mercury will host the Mount Pleasant Lady Wildcats at WI grass field at 1:15pm.

The 2011 Junior Legends took the field for their inaugural game last Sunday against a game squad in Bedford. After a rickety start, the boys showed great maturity and heart to right the ship and bring the playing field level. Showing hustle and determination, for spells, the Legend took the play to the opposition, but unfortunately, time and again, were thwarted by Bedford’s stout defense and fortuitous goalkeeping. In the end the Legends were defeated, but hopefully can continue their upward trajectory, and get into the win column when they play the well named White Plains Black at home this Sunday at Washington Irving. The Junior Legends are coached by Jeremy Zifchock, Gary Fairley, and Peter Sillitoe.

Boys 2011 All Reds, now in their second year, the team travelled to the Greenburgh United Jaguars. They are coached by Nathan Scherich and Gary Fairley.

Girls 2011 Chaos hosted the Chappaqua Rockets. Now in their second season together, they have worked hard this summer when restrictions to play were lifted and look forward to a great season. The team is coached by Kevin Richardson and John Sutherland.

2010 Girls Bandits travelled to the Shrub Oak Blaze. The team is coached by Mike Levine, and assisted by Michelle Defilippis and Michael Glynn.

2010 Boys Shadows who are previous division champs, hosted the Eastchester United. They are excited to continue their winning streak and are coached by Gary Fairley, Dipo Ashiru and Aaron Luchetti.

The Red Fury, coached by Katie McMahon and Jim McGovern, decisively won their seasoner opener 3 -1 against Castleford Stingrays this past Sunday at Peabody Field. This was an action-packed game that saw cohesive teamwork by the Red Fury throughout. During the first half, Red Fury's Julia Maad, new to the team, opened up the scoring by converting a penalty kick into a goal. The Red Fury displayed a focused defense during the first half with several big saves by goalie Maiyumi Marcus-Kanesaka, but the Stingrays were able to score on a break.

The second half was dominated by the Red Fury. Concerted attacks by Rachel Richardson, Meghan McMahon, and Ada Chalfy (on loan from the Bandits), forced the Stingrays to play defensively. These attacks culminated in a goal by Rachel Richardson who converted a rebound off the goal post shot by Meghan McMahon. The Stingrays were able to mount several attacks on goal which the Red Fury's defensive line were able to neutralize most of the time. Goalie Rose Ritz made two spectacular saves during this half. Towards the end of the game, Ada Chalfy struck in a goal with an assist by Breanne Rodriguez.

The Red Fury's next game will be against the North Salem Tigercats at Peabody Field at 11:00 this Sunday.

2009 Boys United, coached by John Patiño played at home against the Bedford Avalanche.

2009 Boys Red Lions travelled to the John Jay Purple and came away with a 1-1 tie. While they played very solidly, both offensively and defensively, a late penalty in the box resulted in a penalty kick by the Purple which deprived the Red Lions of the victory. The Red Lions have practiced diligently together and have honed their skills over the last several successful years, progressing to Division 1 play of their age group. They look forward to a competitive season and will host the FC Somers Liverpool at Pocantico School field on Sunday October 4 at 12:30pm. The Red Lions are coached by Brad Scheller.

2008 Girls Red Comets travelled to the Greenburgh United Earthquake. They are coached by Joseph Block and Lisa Fanelli.

2008 Boys Fusion hosted the Riverdale Thunder at SHHS field and came away with a 7-1 victory. The excitement of finally being back on the soccer pitch was heightened since the team is now old enough to present an 11v11 squad on a regulation size field. Fans in the sunny stands were treated to an enjoyable game where Fusion came out strong and kept pushing all match long. Within minutes, Jayden Perez scored on a swift breakaway fed by Sebastian Londono. Perez scored again just minutes later off a pass from Ian Papadopoulos, who would then score five minutes later thanks to an assist from Kieran Degen. Alessandro Soto scored on a late-half breakaway and Fusion went into halftime leading 4-0.

Immediately into the second half, Fusion brought a lot of pressure toward Riverdale's goal, creating some confusion and allowing Edwin Dutan to header one in. Luke Tonaj was well placed minutes later to score another header goal for Fusion. Fusion's final goal came from a Londono penalty kick when he was fouled in the goal box.

Fusion showed fast paced offense from many players, including other notable goal attempts and efforts from Sean Mackiewicz, Raul Socualaya, Olin Keough, Luca Dominguez and Eoghan Glynn. The key to minimize Riverdale's scoring was solid defense and passing upfield from Aiden Lee, Josh Ortiz, Bruno Flores, Luca Simbana, Shyam Manjanath and Dylan Pasato. Pierce Davis had a few saves as first half goalie, including one diving save, and Jonathan Figeroa did a solid job in goal during the second half.

This year, Fusion is a blend of boys born in 2008 who have played for SHFC before on Fusion or River Sharks, as well as some new players from other neighboring teams. With many years of experience and a deep bench, Fusion looks to continue their winning streak, having won their fall divisions yearly since 2017. On Sunday, they travel to the Briarcliff Bulls. Fusion is coached by Ken Mackiewicz, assisted by George Papadopoulos, Michael Glynn, and Michael Degen.

The 2007 Blaze, the U-14 girls team of the Sleepy Hollow Football Club in the Premier Division of WYSL, went on the road and defeated the Chappaqua Cheetahs Sunday morning by the score of 3 - 2.

Blaze Coach John Sutherland must have been proud of the squad in the first half, as the two teams played to a 0 - 0 tie at the half. Blaze defender Daisy Star and midfielder Meghan O'Hanlon kept pressuring attackers and passing the ball up the field, but the Cheetah goalie was able to deny all Blaze shots on goal. The Blaze defense was tested often, but great team defense kept the Cheetahs on the pitch but off the board. Literally seconds before the half, when the goalie was out to challenge a shot, Blaze defender Gemma Fante took a rebound off the crossbar and passed to Blaze defender Daisy Star. Daisy's quick wits and strong leg helped clear the ball as she kicked the ball 30 yards downfield, away from danger just before the whistle ending the half.

Five minutes into the second half Blaze goalie Emily Aridas, who had 15 saves on the day, blocked a penalty kick called on a handball call in the box. However the Cheetah's took a 1 - 0 when the rebound was shot into the back of the net. Playing with renewed passion after falling behind, and urged on by Kayla McGuigan - their injured midfielder who came to cheer her teammates, moments later Sami Marvin took a pass from Jhoselyn Pugo and dribbled past two defenders to Cassie "Instant Offense" Junge. Cassie was able to zip a shot past the Cheetah goalie, tying the game. Minutes later, Zoey Murphy who patrolled the midfield beautifully the entire game, intercepted a pass and lofted a perfect pass to Sami Marvin streaking down the right sideline. Sami dribbled past a Cheetah defender to Cassie on the right side of the net. Cassie earned her first brace of the season for her new team as her quick shot from inside the box found the back of the net. Ahead 2 - 1 the Blaze extended their lead minutes later when Lizzie Molina successfully challenged a Cheetah defender and made a pass to little-sister Kimmy. The Blaze's youth and skill were fully evident as Kimmy was able execute a perfect centering pass through traffic to a well-covered Cassie Junge. Cassie, covered and with her back to the net, passed back to Gemma Fante. Gemma's high arcing shot on goal went just over the leaping Cheetah goalie, putting the Blaze ahead 3 - 1. All three Blaze teammates, who are all playing up, worked well together on the goal.

Constant pressure was kept on the Blaze defense by the Cheetahs for the last 10 minutes of the game, team defense brought the win home. One time, when a Blaze defender was beat and the opposing striker was approaching the Blaze goal on a breakaway, a streaking Gabby "the Minister of Defense" slide over to challenge and block the attempted shot on goal. Minutes later, fellow Blaze defenseman extraordinaire Juliana Marvin was able to return the favor, coming from nowhere to block a shot on goal, equally shocking the Cheetah forward and Blaze parents. Switching from close-in to further out shots on goal, a high arcing shot from the Cheetah's just outside the box was tipped up and over the net by Blaze goalie Emily Aridas, preserving the Blaze's 2-goal advantage. That save loomed larger when with less than a minute to go in the game, the Cheetah's attacked with 10 players, and a crossing kick found the back of the net.

In the final rush of the game, Samantha Mendietta, Lizzie Molina and Zoey Murphy executed quick short passes to keep possession of the ball and the lead.

Next week, the Blaze's home opener will be at WI as they look to tame the Rye Brook Wildcats. Blaze players who missed their teammate Penny McVey today as well as Ellie Fox and Lilly Wurster who had other commitments will be back. Fans who attend are reminded to maintain social distancing and sit in the section designated for the home team.

2007 Boys Dutchmen began their season at home against the Chappaqua Cosmos. Several new players have joined the Dutchmen, since the 2008 River Sharks and 2007 Dynamo were restructured. Now with a squad deep with talent and years of experience, the Dutchmen look forward to a fun fall. They are coached by Howard Allen and Pat Grimes.

2006 Girls Storm had a bye this week. They look forward to getting on the field next weekend!

The Daredevils, a new team made up of boys born in 2006 or younger, have been restructured from previous teams. Playing in their first game under their new team name and in Division 1 of their age group, the team hosted the Don Bosco Hawks Mustangs.

2005 Boys Red Legends hosted the Harrison Revolution in the Premier League of their age group. The Junior Varsity boys Red Legends opened defense of their premier division championship with a commanding 8-2 victory over Harrison. Aiden Smith was dominant with 3 goals. Dylan Orellana confounded Harrison all day and earned 2 goals. Frank Mendieta directed the attack from the center forward spot and added 2 goals as well. Piero Cabanillas finished scoring with a beautiful header off a well placed corner. Coach Francisco Mendieta had the boys ready to play. Special thanks to coach Matt Evans who volunteered as guest coach for the day. The Red Legends look forward to a competitive season and are coached by Francisco Mendieta, Cedric Smith, and Michael Weitzen.

The Girls Varsity Red Angels are another restructured but experienced team. The Red Angels were postponed and will play next Saturday against none other than the SHFC Girls Varsity Mustangs. The Red Angels are coached by Matt Evans, Tracey Koch, and Nick Tsilibes.

The Premier Girls Varsity Mustangs, coached by John Sutherland and Michael Weitzen and will play next Saturday against the SHFC Red Angels.

The Boys Varsity Horsemen play in the Premier League of their age group. This week, they hosted the Don Bosco Hawks Storm. The Horsemen are coached by Todd Dorman and Gary Fairley.

The Los Gauchos Varsity Boys lost 1-2 away in Sloatsburg Orange County to the Division's toughest and oldest team. Unfortunately, two offside goals were allowed by the referee crew, as well as two clear handballs waved off. There were multiple scuffles in this very physical match. Despite the poor field conditions, humid weather and injuries, the 22 Los Gauchos players carried on and delivered excellence performance. Several notable men of the match included: Nikolaj (GK), Owen H. (CB), Adam (CB), Jhonny (def MF) & Eric (FB). Next week Los Gauchos host another tough rival in Don Bosco Hawks.

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