The Sleepy Hollow Football Club Kicks Off its 2nd Year

The U12 Titans enjoy their first win.

The Sleepy Hollow Football Club kicked off its fall season on Sunday September 13th. In its second year SHFC has grown from 11 to 13 teams with kids ranging from 8-14. The SHFC is the club component of our local Tarrytown & Sleepy Hollow AYSO soccer program.

With the SHFC staring last weekend and the core AYSO program starting this coming weekend our all-volunteer administrators and coaches have been kept very busy particularly as they navigate a temporary field shortage in town. We are all looking forward to getting the new High School, Washington Irving and Lakes fields online.

Below are game recaps provided by the SHFC coaching crew.

U9 Girls – Blaze

After just two practices together the Blaze had a wonderful debut with a 4-0 victory over Munay Ossining. The girls were undaunted by the larger field dimensions, an eight player formation and inclusion of a goalie – all aspects introduced at U9 level soccer. Only the coaches and parents were nervous.

The team consistently pressured its opponent and Ashley Richardson broke through crowded play near the goal to score three times. Juliana Marvin, Julissa Casiano and Ellie Fox peppered the Munay goalie with shots throughout the game. Zoey Murphy intercepted a goal kick to knock in a final goal and complete the successful outing.

The aggressive play was possible due in part to Elsa Block being a strong defensive backstop that prevented break away opportunities for Munay. Michayla Benuscak and Siiri Lipping, both without prior goaltending experience, combined for a shutout.

The Blaze head to South Salem next Sunday at 2:30 p.m. to challenge the John Jay Extreme.

U10 Girls – Magic

The SHFC Magic got their fall season started in fine fashion with an impressive victory over the RUFC Comets in Hastings by the score of 5-0. An all-around team effort was led by the tandem of #17 Caitlyn O’Hanlon (2 goals) and #6 Shea Bertolacci (1 goal). Their first half scoring paired with strong defensive play by #9 Katie Andruss, #3 Emily Orellana and #5 Emily Rypka put the Magic up 3-0 at the half. The Magic had additional scores by #14 Anastasia Mazon and #5 Emily Rypka at the start of the second half. Co-captains #2 Amy Torres and #4 Christine Kern gave the Magic a strong game in net that helped preserve the shutout.

U10 Boys – Sentinels

The Pythons opened the scoring off a long shot and a bad bounce. The Sentinels never got down and continued to press the entire game outshooting the Pythons 18-3. Robert Disney opened the scoring for the Sentinels with a blistering shot outside the box over the outstretched arms of the Python keeper. Lang Cawley scored in the middle of the second half off a perfectly placed PK after a Python hand ball. With under two minutes to play, Derek Saa outran the Python keeper to push a left-footed shot past him to put the Sentinels up 3-1. All in all it was a great effort by the Sentinels after moving up a division.

Next Match is 2:30 PM on Sunday Sept 20 vs. Edgmont at Losee.

U10 Boys - Warriors

A tough opening game for the Warriors as they lost 3-1 to FC Somers Red Bulls. The first half saw the Warriors dominate possession and the ball hardly entered our half mainly due to excellent midfield skills from Randal Nugra and Sebastian Hernandez. First half keeper Callum Gallagher was hardly challenged but made some crucial saves on the rare occasion Somers broke through the solid defense of Hugo Jercinovic, Tucker Junge and John Arnegger.

It felt like it would only be a matter of time before the Warriors scored but the second half saw a change of tactic from Somers launching 3 long range shots at goal which made target perfectly placed just under the bar to put the warriors on the back foot. Leo Jercinovic was active carving up front yet Somera defense was excellent at locking us out. Eventually he gained an assist with a pass to Callum Gallagher who put it away to finish the game 3-1 to Somers.

Next week the squad will be back to full strength with players returning from injury and vacation and look to take on the Manhattan Celtics at our home field Losee.

U11 Girls – Cyclones

The Cyclones played an incredibly exciting game, winning 1-0 against the Eastchester Breakers with a goal in the last 90 seconds. The team was captained by Lauren Koch and anchored by Julia Schroeder and her stellar defense. Julia halted numerous offensive attacks by Eastchester. Thalia Tsilibes scored the goal from 15 yards out in the 59th minute. Overall the Cyclones showed great character and teamwork in a highly competitive game.

The Cyclones play next Sunday, September 20th at Rye Brook.

U11 Boys – Legends

The hot July and August training paid off as the Legends had a great start to the season on Sunday morning at a beautiful Losee field. The passing was good, crossing was excellent and, after a bunch of early missed opportunities the boys scored six without reply. Central Defender Kyan opened the scoring with a free kick, Julian then poked a smart finish in the corner off a through ball from Jai, and then Jai scored himself off a cross from Adrian. After that Javier scored after a drilled through ball from Kieran. Summer signings, Tito and Hernan combined for Hernan to finish after a long free kick from keeper Max. Lastly Nikhil polished off another cross from Tito. At the end the boys tried to play “keep away” but not that effectively – guess it isn’t as much fun as scoring!

U12 Boys – Titans

Our players took the field on their first game day to an obviously physically bigger Ramapo team. The Titans are a mix of veteran players and a few new. Taking the field for the first time as a proud local team! The first half proved to be a ferocious competition, with many opportunities but few realized. Recognizing the games tempo leaning towards our formidable competition - the Titans doubled down in the second half! Our Titans triumphed ultimately with a score of 5 - 3!

Scoring the first goal was Victor Ribeiro. Followed with a header by Zach Burnett w/ a assist by Victor on a beautiful corner kick. Zach Burnett than worked the ball down field and passed to Matt Lopez for Matt’s first goal as a Titan! Matt reciprocated by assisting the next, passing to Sean Wozniak who connected for his first goal of the season. Matt Lopez found himself in the heat of the game, in front of Ramapo’s goal w/ many Titan players working hard to push the ball into the back of their net. Ultimately Matt found Zach Burnett whose shot ricocheted off at least two Ramapo players before going home! Todd Smith playing goalie for the Titans was able to keep the persistent pressure from team Ramapo to only three goals. All Titans represented their team and town well Sunday! A much deserved shout out to: Sean G , Andres I , James J , Griffin M , Oliver M , Carlo R !!! GO TITANS!!!

U13 Girls – Mustangs

Tough summer practices paid off as the Mustangs won their first fall game against the Briarcliff Burn 4-1. The Mustangs had a disappointing spring campaign in division 2 and were relegated to division 3. Eighteen teams from a parallel league were integrated this year making division 3 more competitive than the past. Newcomer Shennah Preble scored first off a perfect cross from Julia Costa in the second half. Former star Mustang Samantha Nutig evened the score for Briarcliff on a perfect penalty shot past keeper Carolina Lopez who was otherwise perfect for the day. Julia Costa caught the Burn off guard and quickly regained the lead on the ensuing kickoff by beating two defenders and the Briarcliff keeper. Julia scored again with a through ball from Maddy Navin putting the game out of reach. Newcomer Juliana Largess finished scoring off a perfect assist from Lily Rodriguez. Annie Dineen and Emma Clarke were bulwarks at defense keeping the dangerous Burn offense neutralized.

The Mustangs next play a talented Pelham team at Hackley field on Sunday at 4:45pm.

U14 Girls – Horsemen

The Horsemen opened their fall season with a 2-0 away win at Chappaqua this past Sunday. The Horsemen dominated the game from the initial whistle and were comfortably in control with many missed opportunities and hit posts. Goals were scored by Grace Morgan and Jessica Cowles.

The Horsemen entertain the Rye Rattlers at Hackley Field this Sunday at 1:30pm.

U14 Boys - Tornadoes

The Tornadoes came up just short in their first Division 3 league game. The Bearcats scored first with a quick rally at the 5 minute mark. The Tornadoes tied it up at the 15 min mark off a big shot from DJ Cronin; after a good combination from Michael Richards and Abhi Weltig. The Bearcats went ahead again right before the end of the 1st half off a good cross and quick shot. Michael Richards tied it up in the middle of the 2nd half off a long shot that eluded the Bearcat keeper. Nolan Fairley had a very strong showing stifling the Bearcat offensive on numerous occasions, but could not stop the last Bearcat breakaway with a minute left. The Bearcat striker did brilliantly to flick the ball over an outstretched Fairley. It was another gutsy performance by the Tornadoes.

Next match is at 3:00 PM on Sunday September 20th vs. Yorktown at Hackley.