Stamford FC 05 Boys Elite Soccer Team Win State Cup

From SYSL:The Stamford Youth Soccer League’s (SYSL) Stamford FC 05 Boys Elite won the CT State Cup on Sunday, June 3, 2018, defeating CFC (West) Real 05, in the State Cup finals held at Farmington Sports Arena. This was the second consecutive year the team has won the State Cup and the second year the team will qualify to represent the State of Connecticut in the US Youth Soccer Region 1 Championships on June 29 in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

Early into the match, on a grass field in ideal weather conditions, CFC was awarded one free kick and then one penalty kick later in the first half. Both opportunities were converted into goals, bringing the score to 2-0 by the time the halftime whistle was blown. From a deficit of 2 goals down, Stamford FC came back strong in the second half with four goals. Midfielder Lyon Atiencia (#14) scored the first goal, with a penalty kick awarded to the team. Midfielder Luke Vander Kolk (#10) put the second goal into the net on an assist from defender Ryan Schwartz (#16). Defender Leo Berardi (#11) volleyed the third goal past the keeper on a corner from midfielder Will Anderson (#4). Forward Lucas Fernandez (#19) took a free kick for the team in the final minutes of the match to score the fourth and final goal of the game. The final score was Stamford FC 4-2 CFC (West) Real.

SYSL President, Fred Wexler, addressed the team after their victory: “Congratulations! Repeating as State Champions is a testament to your hard work, drive, commitment and sacrifice over the course of the past year. All of us here at the game and back in Stamford are incredibly proud of you. But, most importantly, each and every one of you should be proud of yourselves for what you have accomplished.”

The 2018 State Cup Trophy was presented to Stamford FC 05 by Josh Krusewski, Executive Director of the Connecticut Junior Soccer Association. Head Coach Jason Segovia, of Quality Touch Soccer Academy, received the award on behalf of the team, and medals were given to each of the players. Assisting Coach Segovia at the match were Coaches Guzman Fernandez and Fabrizio Obregon, and Team Manager, Christina Vander Kolk.

As they did in 2017, the Stamford FC 05 Elite will return to Fredericksburg, Virginia, to represent the State of Connecticut in the Boys U13 Division of the US Youth Soccer Region 1 Championships, one of the oldest and most prestigious national youth soccer tournaments. The tournament, heldJune 29 through July 3, includes a group stage of 3 games with the top-ranked teams from 13 east coast states, from Maine to Virginia. If the team advances, the semifinal is played on July 2, and the final on July 3. In 2017, Stamford FC 05 boys went undefeated throughout the tournament, only falling to Watchung Hills SA—NJ Elite in the finals 2-1.

The Stamford FC Boys U13 Elite team is comprised of 17 players, all of who are from Stamford and attend Stamford schools. Many of the players have played together since U9, with their Head Coach, Jason Segovia, of Quality Touch Soccer Academy (QTSA), which provides exclusive professional training to the SYSL.

The Stamford FC U13 Elite boys are: Goal keepers Will Herckis (#6), and Sebastian Ortiz-Salazar (#8); Defenders Leo Berardi (#11), Sebastian Caltenco (#3), Oscar Gonzalez (#15), Antonio Ninivaggi (#7), Marvin Rivera (#17), and Ryan Schwartz (#16); Midfielders William Anderson (#4), Lyon Atiencia (#14), Massimo Costa (#5), Paul Courtin (#21), Darsein Gabriel (#20), Edwin Medina (#9), and Luke Vander Kolk (#10), and; Forwards Johnny Couch (#2), and Lucas Fernandez (#19).

Leading up to the State Cup Final this year, the team had a bye in the first round. On May 17, Stamford FC 05 hosted CT Rush Elite 05 for a midweek match at the West Beach Turf fields in Stamford for the semifinals. Stamford FC, as they had done the prior year, held off CT Rush Elite 05, this year with a final score of 4-1. CT Rush scored early on with their only goal, but Stamford FC was not deterred. Luke Vander Kolk scored a hat trick and Lucas Fernandez capped it off with the final goal of the game.

The Stamford FC 05 Boys are raising funds to cover the estimated $14,000 needed to cover travel, lodging, tournament fees and other expenses related to the participation of the team in the Region 1 Championship. Donations can be made online on the SYSL website home page at Stamford.Soccer by clicking on the “Donate Now” button or checks can be sent to: SYSL, 58 Doolittle Road, Stamford, CT 06902.

Image Via SYSL