Spring Season Begins for SHFC!

The Spring 2019 SHFC season is underway. SHFC is fielding 22 teams this spring, which are classified by gender as well as birth year of the players. These teams are then broken down into 8-team divisions, based on past seasons’ records, to ensure competitive play. The Westchester Youth Soccer League coordinates these teams, and their more than 25,000 players under the age of 19, from soccer clubs representing Manhattan, Bronx, Westchester, Rockland and Fairfield Counties.

Spring 2019 is a 10-week season of games, with 2 holiday weekends off. We look forward to a great spring of play and challenging our players to work as a team to do their best.

Here are each SHFC team’s results for Week 1 of the spring 2019 season:

The Sleepy Hollow 2010 All Reds are all new with a new name, Sleepy Hollow 2010 Shadows! After winning their division in the Fall season, the Shadows have moved up and will hope to face fiercer opponents.

Training during the winter season sure paid off as the boys were on fire against Manhattan Inter at the first game of the Spring season. Multiple goals were made by Elion Ashiru and Jackson Pena as well as a choice goal by Denis Suqui. Leo Zohar was in goal for the Shadows and they finished strong with a 6-1 win. On Sunday April 7 they will face Shrub Oak B2010 Green's in Yorktown Heights.

2010 Girls Bandits won their season opener with a 3-2 win over Eastchester Pride on Sunday afternoon on a soggy home field at Pocantico School. The first goal was scored within the first 5 minutes of play by Mackenzie Linhart unassisted. Eastchester fought back and kept the ball in the Bandit's defensive end - calling upon Marley DeFilippis and Melodie Molina to show off their strong defensive skills. Sabrina Graham, in goal made a fantastic save and cleared the ball to forwards Linhart, Marianna Patsch and Ada Chalfy who displayed great passing skills to move the ball down the field. A strong shot by midfielder Lily Glynn was answered by Eastchester's goalie. The girls continued to play very well in the first half of this evenly matched game with the first half ending in a 1-1 tie after a breakaway goal by Eastchester.

The second half opened with great energy from Katie Yalmokas, fabulous passing between the forwards and a goal by Linhart. Natalia Hargrave on defense saved a breakaway goal from Eastchester, who, after several saves from goaltender Molina, eventually snuck one in, tying the game at 2-2. Close to the end of the game, the game-winning goal was scored off a pass from Chalfy to Patsch for a 3-2 win! Very exciting end to a nail-biting game. Thanks to coaches Mike Levine, Michelle DeFilippis and Mike Glynn for their great coaching during the game. The Bandits are looking forward to another home game this Sunday, April 7 at 2:30 pm versus the LMFC White Lynx.

2009 Boys United beat Castleford Rockets 4-1. Strong defense and goal tending along with goals by Branden Wang (1) and Kyle DeLucia who netted (3) goals. On Sunday April 7, United will host the FC Somers Rowdies at Pocantico Hills School at 1:15pm.

2009 Boys Red Lions moved up a division this spring season, from Division 4 to Division 3, and kicked off their season with a 4-1 win over Larchmont/Mamaroneck FC. Ralfy Rodriguez netted two goals and Guigo Dias and Samuel Quezada each had one. A great overall team effort from the boys on a very cold, damp and muddy Sunday afternoon. The Red Lions face off against the Riverdale Green Vipers next Sunday at Pocantico Hills at 3:45.

2009 Girls Red Fury lost their first game of the spring season on a rainy Sunday afternoon in Pocantico Hills. The LMFC White Rockets started the scoring with a long passing drive that turned into a breakaway that tricked the defense and goalie, Maiyumi Marcus-Kanesaka. The Red Fury responded later in the first half with Meghan McMahon converting on a turnover to tie the score at 1-1. The White Rockets came out strong in the second half, squeezing a shot past goalie Meghan McMahon at about the ten-minute mark. The Red Fury continued to press throughout the game, with several shots on goal, including from Rose Ritz, Rachel Richardson, Erin Arnegger, & Swara Ketkar. The 0-1 Red Fury take on the Edgemont Wildcats in Pocantico Hills next Sunday.

2008 Girls Red Comets, coached by Joe Block and Sven Armster, hosted their spring opener at Hackley School field against the LMFC White Pumas. In dreary conditions, the Red Coments fell 2-0. They will host the Rye Legends on April 7 at 1:30pm at Hackley School field.

2008 Boys Fusion moved up a division after an undefeated fall. Their spring opener took place on the road against the Shrub Oak Fusion on a cold and rainy field. Fusion simply could not build any momentum and was unable to convert on their few scoring opportunities. Goalies Dylan Largo and Pierce Davis put the stop on numerous attempts on goal, but the Fusion defense was unable to hold off their opponent, to a final score of 4-0.

On April 7, Fusion will host the LMFC Gold Knights at 12noon at Hackley School field.

2008 Boys River Sharks, coached by Ed Greenberg, Gerardo Soto and Michael Glynn, worked to shake off the winter rust and posted a 7-1 win in their home opener against the Castleford Wild. On April 7, they will travel to the Scarsdale Dortmund.

2007 Girls Blaze – Some coaches use the winter season to rest their players, and some coaches use the winter season to play their squads in indoor leagues. Blaze coach John Sutherland and Team Manager Annette O'Hanlon utilize the latter approach and it certainly worked in week one of the WYSL Spring season against friendly rival Castleford Lions in an early Sunday game held at Hackley.

Less than 3 minutes into the season, Sami Marvin dribbled into the opposing team's goalie box and a short crisp pass to forward Gemma Fante and Gemma's quick shot gave the Blaze an immediate 1 - 0 lead. Minutes later forward Julissa Casiano dribbled past several defenders and passed to Sami Marvin who again fed Gemma Fante who netted the second Blaze goal. Moments later, Julissa cut out the middle man and used a deft touch pass to Gemma Fante who completed her hat trick with her third goal of the game.

Up 3 - 0, the Blaze played defense excellently, as mid fielders Zoey Murphy and Penny McVey challenged Lions attackers well, seldom allowing the ball to reach deep into the Blaze side of the field. Versatile Blaze defenders Ellie Fox and Juliana Marvin kept the pressure off the Blaze goal challenging Lions forwards at every turn as goalie Emily Aridas had to make only 3 saves in the first half.

In the second half, Kayla McGuigan had her first goal, unassisted of the season, and minutes later a give-and-go with Julissa Casiano who had a quick kick into the top corner of the goal gave the Blaze a 5 - 0 lead. Gabby Disney played exceptionally strong defense in the second half, and only excellent defensive play by the Lions against versatile midfielders/forwards Lizzie Molina and Meghan O'Hanlon kept the Blaze from increasing their lead further. Blaze goalie Emily Aridas was able to keep the shut out intact late in the second half, blocking a penalty kick by the Lions taken from the goalie box, one of 9 saves in the game.

Coach John Sutherland must be extremely pleased with his team's efforts in their 5 - 0 victory, as their opponent had allowed only 6 goals the entire Fall season. The Blaze will be defending their home turf again next weekend late Sunday afternoon against the visiting LMFC Gold Flash.

2007 Boys Dynamo hosted the Port Chester Dragons and prevailed 8-2. They will host the Edgemont Warriors on Sunday, April 7 at 3:15pm.

2007 Boys Dutchmen had their March 31 game away at the Scarsdale Monaco postponed due to field conditions. This game will be rescheduled during this spring season. Dutchmen will open their season on Sunday, April 7 on the road against the Eastchester Titans.

2006 Girls Storm coached by Kevin Richardson and Tom Andruss had their March 31 game away at the Rivertowns United Union postponed due to field conditions. This game will be rescheduled during this spring season. The Storm will open their season on Sunday, April 7 on the road against the Rye Brook Fury.

2006 Boys Firebolts, coached by Ricardo Gonzalez, won their season opener 2-0 on the road against the John Jay Purple. They travel to the Manhattan Whitecaps on Sunday, April 7.

2006 Boys Warriors opened their spring season away at the New Rochelle Revolution with a 4-1 victory. They host their home opener on Sunday April 7 at Washington Irving school field at 3:15pm against the Lansdowne Yonkers Cougars.

2005 Girls Cyclones played their first match of the season against the Pleasantville Warriors. The Cyclones spent most of the first half defending the Warrior's high pressure style of play. However, the Cyclones would score two goals off of corner kicks. The first goal came from a corner kick from ThaliaT. Caitlyn O. and Angie S. took a similar run to the goal and both reached the ball at the same moment. It would be Angie S. whose shot would put the Cyclones up 1-0. The Warriors would answer and the teams walked off at the half tied 1-1. The second goal came from a corner bent by Thalia T. threading its way to the low far post bouncing into the goal. The Cyclone's defense anchored by Ywomie M. and Bell M. continually adjusting as the Warriors had numerous shots on goal. The game winning goal was scored by a strike from Colleen C. assisted by Thalia T. making the final 3-2. The Cyclones demonstrated a winning chemistry for their season opener and demonstrated true team effort.

2005 Boys Legends – Prior to the season’s start, the Legends won their division at the White Plains Tiger Tune-up (pictured). At their home opener, hosted the FC Spring Valley Black and prevailed 3-1. Coached by Fergus O’Sullivan, the Legends travel to FC Somers United on Sunday, April 7 in their Division 1 play.

2005 Boys Red Devils – Moving up a division after winning Division 4 this fall, the Red Devils, coached by Francisco Mendieta, Mark Taylor, and Cedric Smith, fell 1-0 at home against the Rye Messies. They travel to the White Plains Porto Red on April 7.

2004 Boys Argentina lost 52 on the road to the Landsdowne Yonkers Predators. Argentina’s goals were scored by Braulin and Jason. The team was energized to be playing together this spring season and ahev have resolved to better play at their home opener on April 7 at Washington Irving school field at 10am against the JPSC Rage. Pictured are team captains Shubhro and Gabriel. Also, video of team captains' Shubhro and Gabriel coin toss is available at: https://youtu.be/GPE72McGLBs

JV Girls Strikers, formerly known as the Aguias, lost 1-0 in the season opener on the road against the Manahttan Timbers. On Sunday April 7, they travel to the Castleford Blue Jays .

JV Boys Los Gauchos won 4-1 at home against the Chappaqua Quakers. Goals were scored by Zach and Oliver. Please seed the attached photos of team captains Mateo and Jhonatan. A video of their goal highlights is available at: https://youtu.be/11wsuuRHTGE

2002 Varsity Girls Mustangs kicked off their 8th spring as a team earning a 2-2 tie against the highest ranked varsity team in the Westchester Youth Soccer League. The true varsity club season begins in the spring as most varsity players skip fall club soccer to participate in their fall high school season instead. Although the Mustangs won the fall mini-season championship, there were only 4 squads participating. Spring is a different challenge with more than 20 teams participating and the 5th ranked Mustangs opened against the number one ranked Rivertowns Comets. The Comets average player age is 18 while the Mustangs is only 16. The Comets also feature the back-to-back Westchester high school 3-A player of the year Allison Portera.

After a 13 game indoor winter season the Mustangs appeared up to the challenge and showed little rust as they took a 2-1 lead late into the game. Rivertowns got the equalizer with only 3 minutes left off a fluke deflection of the Sleepy Hollow’s keeper’s clearance that was possibly hand assisted. Ariana Vizcaino scored both goals for the Mustangs..... one a long range shot from 20 yards over the Comet keeper, and a second strong blast which forced an defender own-goal after the keeper couldn’t get a grip. The Mustangs next travel to Portchester to face a tough Don Bosco squad as they continue to compete in the top division.

2002 Varsity Boys Horsemen kicked off their spring season at home against the John Jay Purple, losing 5-1. Their next game takes place at Washington Irving school field on Sunday April 7 at 5pm against the Rye Brook Raiders.

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