The Sleepy Hollow Football Club is Hitting Its Stride in Week 3

The Sleepy Hollow Football Club enjoyed great play, challenging opponents and beautiful weather on Sunday April 26th, the 3rd weekend of the Spring Season.

This coming weekend sees a return of the annual “Silent Sunday”. On Silent Sunday coaches are asked to keep their coaching instructions to a minimum. Parents and spectators are asked to refrain from calling to players and referees on the field and to keep their reactions subdued. The goal is to create an atmosphere where kids can develop leadership and decision making skills and improve player to player communications.

So come on out and root for the SHFC, but leave the air horns, cowbells and vuvzelas home this weekend.

U9 Girls – Magic

The Magic notched their first win of the young season topping the Rye Bolts by the score 1-0. It was a fast-paced game right from the opening kick, as both teams were able to move into their opponent’s territory and put pressure on the defense. However, the defense and goalies were resilient and held off numerous attacks. #3 Emily Orellana and #12 Natalie Rypka had shot attempts for the Magic. As the first half was winding down the Bolts had a good opportunity on a break-away, but the Magic goalie #4 Christine Kern stopped the kick on a brilliant save. The game went to the half tied 0-0. Rye started the second half with two scoring opportunities but both thwarted by the solid goalie play of Anastasia Mazon. #10 Nicolette Cioffi put the Magic ahead 1-0 with a score roughly five minutes into the half. This was followed by a series of Magic breakaways and scoring attempts by Natalie Rypka, #17 Caitlyn O’Hanlon and Nicolette Cioffi, but the Bolts defense and goalie were able to hold the Magic in check for the remainder. The Magic’s captains for their initial win were #11 Talia Lieberman and #14 Anastasia Mazon.

U9 Boys – Sentinels

This week the U9B Sentinels defeated the White Plains Dragons 4-3. The Sentinels scored first and controlled the balance of play in the first half, taking a 2-1 lead in to the break. In the second half, the Sentinels scored two early goals, but the Dragons fought back to narrow the deficit to one goal. With strong defensive team play, the Sentinels hung on for the win. Next week the Sentinels host the Rockland FC Raptors.

U9 Boys – Warriors

The move up to Gold division for the U9B, Warriors, is proving challenging as they lost 3-1 to the Alba Zebras; a team who moved down from Blue this spring. The Zebra’s brought great spacing and passing to the game. The Warriors brought huge energy, and established nice pressure in the second half while netting 1. Next up the Warriors hit the road to Rye to take on Rye Galaxy.

U10 Girls – Red Angels

On Sunday, the U10 girls Red Angels, this week captained by Kaitlyn Rubertone, won another close game (1-0) against the Larchmont Blue Phoenix. Isabelle Murphy scored a tremendous goal, blasting a shot from about 15 meters. The team was anchored by stellar defense from Julia Schroeder, who controlled all aspects of the field, halting numerous offensive attacks. Kaitlyn Rubertone, AJ Orban and Emma Behrens contributed to the great team defensive play. We again had terrific goaltending, keeping the game close and exciting. The Red Angels have a bye next week. Their next game is away on May 10th against the North Salem Valiants.

U10 Boys – Legends

U10B Legends took full advantage of the turf surface in Pleasantville, moving the ball beautifully in their 5-1 win. Two fine 1st half saves from Max – one low to his left – the other a dive behind to stop the ball going over the line, supported a 3 goal first half. For the first Kenneth slipped a through ball to Julian who powered home, the 2nd was an action replay Massimo to Brandon this time, and the third came from Brandon freeing Javier. The defenders, Massimo and Kieran in the 1st and Kenneth and Brandon in the 2nd won many balls and fed the midfield with Kenneth assisting Max for the 4th – finished with aplomb in the corner. Justin won a penalty, converted by Kyan for the last. The trip south was a happy one!

U11 Girls – Strikers

The U11G Strikers played their old rivals this Sunday. The Mount Pleasant Red Hot Chili Peppers visited our beautiful Losee Park on the Hudson River. The girls were well prepared for the game. The defense played well; organized by Dylan, Anna, Grace, Arrianna, and Olivia. The midfield lead by Abby, Sabrina, Kiera & Alicia fought hard to win the 50/50 balls. They also applied solid pressure to regain possession, not allowing the visitors many attacking opportunities throughout the game. The forwards Shennah, Michelle & Melanie worked hard supporting the midfielders in regaining the ball and creating some very nice scoring chances. In the 15th minute, one said attack led to handball in the penalty area, with the referee making the proper call. Abby stepped up to the spot and shot a well-placed penalty kick in the lower left corner of the goal. Five minutes later in the 20th minute, there was another handball, this time right outside the penalty area. Abby again stepped up and perfectly placed her shot over the wall and into the upper right hand corner of the goal. Again leaving little hope for the goalkeeper to make the save. In goal Alicia played well to hold a clean sheet for the first half. Not having much to do, thanks to the defense. However, she made big plays and had two great saves when she was called into action. In the 2nd half Dylan made some great saves as well. She was also quick off her line to collect the balls coming into her area. Unfortunately she was unable to keep a low hard shot out of the goal, and the visitors pulled one back half way through the second half. Shennah almost put the game away with a hard shot that just rose high; scraping the top of the crossbar. The visitors pressed more with the goal giving them extra motivation and pick up their game for the last 10 minutes, but the Strikers held on to their 2-1 lead. In all a great team effort, next weekend the Strikers will be taking on the Greenburgh Utd Lightning 2:00 again at Losee Park.

U11 Boys – Tornadoes

The RUFC U11B Tornadoes met the Pleasantville Panthers at Losee on Sunday. With many players rotating through less-familiar positions against a well-organized and talented team, the game was the boys’ tightest yet this spring. Saquipay directed from goal in the opening half, while McLaurin played a speedy and tricky defense and midfield, to shut the opposition down completely. Ricchiuti brought exceptional ball control to midfield in the first half and kept the Panthers guessing. The Tornadoes went up 1-0 with Dorman dribbling a breakaway goal through three defenders; Monteforte scored a deadly rocket with an assist from center mid Ribeiro, and Ribeiro scored on a wily missile with a gorgeous, picture-perfect assist from Burnett. Final score was 3-1 Tornadoes. The boys suit up against the Edgemont Cyclones next week, again at Losee Park.

U12 Girls – Mustangs

The under age 12 girls Mustangs have spent the last two years traveling long distances to seek out competition. Sunday they only had to travel 5 miles to Pleasantville to get more than they could handle. The game started poorly with an own goal off a corner kick. Despite standout play from Annie Dineen, Emma Clarke, and Julia Costa, the game deteriorated into a 0-5 loss. Coach Sutherland’s girls will focus on practice this week as they get a chance for redemption vs. Rye on Sunday.

U13 Girls – Horsemen

The U13 Girls Horsemen traveled to White Plains last Sunday for a match against the White Plains Fire and returned with a hard-fought 1-1 draw.
In easily the most physically-competitive match thus far this spring the two teams traded scoring chances throughout the first half. Only some top-notch goalkeeping from Horsemen keeper Peyton Koch kept the score level. She made a particularly excellent save one-on-one with one of the Fire forwards that gave the team a huge boost of confidence.
The Horsemen opened the scoring early in the second half when some sustained pressure in the Fire defensive third resulted in a goal by Grace Morgan. Grace collected the ball at the top of the penalty box and arched a looping effort over the outstretched arms of the Fire keeper.
From there the Fire put sustained pressure on the Horsemen, controlling the center of the park and managing some dangerous long-range efforts that were turned away by Jennifer Stewart in the Horsemen goal.
The extended pressure paid dividends for the Fire 10 minutes from time when they poked one home from short range after a goal mouth scramble.
Overall it was a well-played match between two evenly-matched sides and the final score reflected that.
The Horsemen (0-1-2) host the Manhattan Fire (0-0-2) Sunday, May 3rd at Washington Irving lower field. Kickoff is schedule for 3:30pm.

U13 Boys – Tornadoes

The U13Boys Tornadoes extinguished the Harrison Fire 2-1 today with a gutsy team effort.

Adam Geisker opened the scoring in the 10th minute with a powerful shot off a rebound to the right of the Harrison keeper. The Fire were not to be denied and evened the score in the 50th minute with a nice play from the left side of the field and a shot just inside the far post. The Tornadoes middies controlled the midfield for much of the game with tough physical play and good passing by Devin Batheja, Ethan Fox, Adam Geisker, Jonathan Orellano and Bruce Villa. In the 65th minute Sebastian Campuzano made a nice pass over the top of the Fire defender right onto the foot of DJ Cronin. DJ Cronin dribbled around the last Fire Defender and with a pin-point shot just inside the cross bar the Tornadoes went up 2-1. Michael Richards pushed the play all afternoon and had a couple of chances towards the end but could not beat the keeper. With 5 minutes to play “the big three” at the back, Sebastian Campuzano, Joe Cioffi and Aaron Andrade, shut down the Fire attack. It was a very gutsy effort by the Tornadoes and a real team win.

The Tornadoes will play at home Sunday May 3rd at 1:45 PM against the powerful Manhattan Rowdies at WI.

U14 Girls – Eagles

The U14G Eagles traveled to Mahopac to play the undefeated and defending Division 1 Champion Flames on Sunday. The Eagles found themselves under fire from the starting whistle. Only a few minutes into the match, on a strong cross in front of the goal, the Flames scored on a well-executed header. The Eagles then took their play up a level and fought off attack after attack by the very talented Flames offense. Each of the Eagles defenders played well in rotation including Jess Pordy, Isabelle Ripin, Fiona Wozniak, Tatiana Dorn, Tess Bernstein and Lindsay Berkowitz. The Eagles goalkeeper, Emily Jeris, made better than 20 saves including an inspiring fingertip save, just managing to get the ball over the cross bar. The Eagles had several chances in the second half and narrowly missed tying the score when Zarina Nabi nearly out maneuvered the Mahopac keeper midway through the second half. The Flames scored a second goal with only 30 seconds remaining. The play began with another strong cross and shot that was stopped by Jeris. The rebound was then netted by a swarming offense. The Eagles travel to New York City this Sunday to play the DUSC Strikers.