The Sleepy Hollow Football Club Takes to the Field for Week 2 of the Spring Season

The weekend of April 18th was a busy one for the Sleepy Hollow Football Club (SHFC). Several teams played in a tournament on Saturday then came back and played in their league game on Sunday. The SHFC had a full slate of 11 games on Sunday for a combined record of 6 wins, 4 losses and 1 tie (6-4-1).

The SHFC plays within the Westchester Youth Soccer League (WYSL). WYSL has a number of division for each age group organized by ability. The WYSL and the SHFC strive to place each team in a division that will challenge but not overwhelm them.

Here are updates from the coaches on how the kids met the challenge this past weekend.

U9 Girls – Magic

On a sunny, clear afternoon the SHFC Magic fell to a talented John Jay Thunder squad by the score 5-2. The game was highlighted by offensive runs and stellar saves. First, the Thunder grinded out two goals in the initial period, despite some spectacular diving saves by the Sleepy Hollow goalie #4 Christine Kern. Then just after the half, #10 Nicolette Cioffi showed her striking prowess reaching the net twice on a long shot from the top of the box and then again on a well-positioned put back past the Thunder’s goaltender. It was tied at 2 midway through the second half when the Thunder went on the game’s final run, connecting on three quick scores after applying strong pressure from their front strikers. The Magic tried to mount a comeback, showing some flashes of quickness from the Rypka sisters, #5 Emily and #12 Natalie, and speedster #11 Talia Lieberman, but the Thunder defense was solid. Next week, the Magic look to claim their first win of the season at home against the Rye Bolts.

U9 Boys – Sentinels

This week the Sentinels notched a 4-1 victory against the Pelham Pythons. The Sentinels kept the pressure on throughout the game, allowing only one shot through their defenses and driving 3 solid scores and one textbook assist to drive home goal #4! Next week the Sentinels host the White Plains Dragons.

U9 Boys – Warriors

The U9 Boys Warriors are being challenged in their division move up and unfortunately lost 1-2 at home to Rye Rogue Wave in a very close game.

Solid defense and goalkeeping skills kept Rye at bay in the first half with Leo Jercinovic scoring to give the Warriors the edge into halftime.

But the Warriors midfield and defense were caught out of position in the second half and many shots at the Warriors goal occurred resulting in 2 in the back of the net for Rye.

A heroic penalty save by Luke Weurffel kept hopes alive and in the last 15mins the Warriors push was impressive and unfortunately a goal by Declan McCarthy to level the score was called offside.

Next up is hosting Alba Zebras, another team who have come down from Blue Division and will present another learning experience for the Warriors.

U10 Girls – Red Angels

The under age 10 girls Red Angels had a very busy weekend, playing in the White Plains Youth Soccer Spring Tournament on Saturday and their regular WYSL game on Sunday. The WPYSA tournament was the team’s first tournament and a tremendous experience. The girls went 0-2-1, improved each game, and came away with a number of opportunities to build upon.

On Sunday, the Red Angels, this week captained by Julia Schroeder, won a dramatic 3-2 game against the Mt. Pleasant Gunners. The girls went up early 1-0 on a goal by Isabelle Murphy, and dominated the early parts of the game with countless shots on target. The Gunners took over the later part of the first half and led 2-1 at halftime, which could have been more if not for the goal keeping of Zoe Kuhn.

In the second half, Samuella Schroeder netted a long goal to tie the game at 2-2. After many shots and saves by each team, including great saves by Ywomie Mota, Thalia Tsibiles netted a goal from 25 meters out with under 3 minutes to play. The team showed tremendous teamwork, perseverance and drive. Next week, the Red Angles play in Larchmont at 1:15, against the Blue Phoenix, a team we battled with in a close game during the fall.

U10 Boys – Legends

After Week 1 the U 10B Legends went to “Finishing School” for the week and graduated Magna Cum Laude on Sunday putting six past Rye Brook without reply. The striker hold-up play was terrific, with the ball consistently sticking, getting played laterally and then channeled diagonally into space. The boys retained possession very well, switching wings and moving the ball backwards at times to relieve ball pressure. The goalkeepers, Brandon Morocho and Max Matailo were great, with Max making a diving save late on to preserve a clean sheet. Defensively, Kieran O’Sullivan and Javier Villa were very strong with Kieran consistently drawing opponents in and playing passes beyond them and Javier doing likewise for the 2nd of Nikhil Weltig’s goals. Nikhil’s first was a superb half volley from 25 yards off the underside of the cross-bar. Other goals were scored by Javier, Jai, Julian and Justin - yes the rare “Quadruple J” – the passing sequence for Justin’s goal was Jai to Javier to Justin so arguably the “Septuple J” was performed at Lossee on Sunday! Next week the boys hit the road to Pleasantville.

U11 Girls – Strikers

The U11G Strikers had a busy weekend. Saturday the participated in the White Plains Tune-up Tournament. The first opponent was the John Jay Furies a 2nd Division team who they held to a scoreless draw. The last two games were against 1st division teams, White Plains United & New Rochelle Purple Reign. Both teams played a very aggressive game, and the Strikers suffered losses to both teams. Both goalkeepers also suffered slight injuries in an aggressive match. On a positive note the weather was perfect and despite the slight set back the girls had a good time!

On Sunday, back to playing at our 4th division, the Strikers kicked up their own intensity in visiting the Eastchester Flash. The Strikers started applying pressure in the early minutes of the game. After several attacking opportunities Abbey was able to find the back of the net after a spot on cross by Juliana, taking them into half time with a 1-0 lead. The Strikers continued to dominate play in the second half building even better attacking chances. Their goalkeeper made a few saves, and a few shots just going wide of the goal. Within ten minutes the girls built on their lead with a pair of goals. A breakaway goal set up from the punt by the goalkeeper Dylan and scored by Arianna. The other scored goal was netted by Shennah, assisted by Michelle and Sabrina. At the final whistle the Strikers found themselves with a comfortable 3-0 away win! Both Goalkeepers Olivia and Dylan, played well to keep the clean sheet.

U11 Boys – Tornadoes

The RUFC U11B Tornadoes met the Greenburgh United Tornadoes at home in Losee Park on Sunday. After a week of practicing a player-run game, player communication, tiki-taka passing, and defensive tactics, the home team saw a marked increase in combination play. The work continued throughout a 5-0 victory, with goals by Dorman (Taylor assist), Gallagher (Taylor assist), Burnett (Dorman assist), Gallagher, (Dorman assist) and Burnett. Defenders Ribeiro, Monteforte, Wozniak, McLaurin, Jaillite, and Taylor, with Ricciuti directing from goal, closed down all Greenburgh offensive plays despite well-orchestrated breakaway attacks. Next week the Warriors face the Pleasantville Panthers at Losee.

U12 Girls – Mustangs

The under age 12 girls Mustangs adjusted to division 2 play and revealed a new defensive scheme against the top rated Mamaroneck Red Lions Sunday. The Mustangs controlled the game and had the most scoring opportunities, but settled for a 1-1 tie. Both goals were scored off penalty kicks with Talia Fante scoring for the Mustangs and Emma Clarke earning MVP honors for her defensive performance. The Mustangs next travel to Pleasantville to take on an old rival.

U13 Girls – Horsemen

The U13 Girls RUFC Horsemen traveled to Briarcliff this past Sunday and suffered a 2-1 loss at the hands of the Briarcliff Grizzlies.

Bailey Zednik opened the scoring midway through the first half with a long range effort and The Horsemen continued to enjoy good spells of possession until the Grizzlies equalized on a quick counterattack. From there the game evened out with neither team gaining the advantage until the Grizzlies broke the deadlock after a goalmouth scramble following a second half corner kick.
The Horsemen applied more pressure for the remainder of the game, generating several good scoring opportunities, but in the end the Briarcliff defense held strong to secure the victory.
Next up for The Horsemen (0-1-1) is a trip to White Plains to face the White Plains Fire (0-1-1). Game time is 3:45pm at White Plains High School.

U13 Boys – Tornadoes

Saturday April 18, Monroe Township Spring Tune-up Tournament

The U13B Tornadoes traveled to Monroe Township NJ and came home with the second place trophy. The Tornadoes drew the short straw and faced the eventual champions in the first game. The highly ranked Montico Select from Philadelphia went up 2-0 within the first ten minutes before the Tornadoes could get organized. The Tornadoes came to life more in the second half with a few good chances but failed to find the back of the net.

In the second game the Tornadoes sealed their second place finish with an impressive 3-0 win over the Peninsula White Eagles. The tornadoes recorded over one hundred passes in a great team effort! The Tornadoes scored early off a perfectly placed DJ Cronin corner into Joey Marquecho who found the back of the net with a nice half-volley. DJ Cronin scored his own in the first half off a nice through ball from Adam Geisker off a pass from Abhijay Weltig. DJ Cronin scored again in the second half by dribbling around 3 White Eagles defenders in the box. Jonathan Orellano, Ethan Fox and Adam Geisker controlled the midfield for much of the game. The back four of Mayran De Oliveira, Aaron Andrade, Sebastian Campuzano and Bruce Villa were a force at the back not allowing many opportunities for the White Eagles. The Tornadoes sealed the second place trophy by goal differential and the head-to-head win.

Sunday April 19 New Rochelle

A shorthanded Tornadoes team traveled to New Rochelle and persevered on the big turf field with an exciting 3-2 win. The Raptors looked poised early in the first half and scored off a nice shot just inside the box. Still in the first half, Michael Richards scored with a great individual effort dribbling around two central Raptor defenders to place the ball just inside the left post. The Tornadoes went up 2-1, led by a nice defensive effort from Devin Batheja who pushed the ball up to Michael Richards who knocked it through to Ethan Fox who continued with a one-touch pass through to DJ Cronin. DJ took it off his chest dribbled around a surprised Raptor defender to fire it high into the right corner. The Raptors pressed all game and scored an equalizer with 10 minutes left in the game. Last chance for the Tornadoes came off a corner with 30 second left. DJ Cronin again with a perfectly placed corner into Michael Richards who tipped the ball into the back of the net to seal the deal for the Tornadoes. Backs, Mayran De Oliveira, Aaron Andrade, Bruce Villa, Joey Marquecho and Devin Batheja were under pressure for most of the game but played well as a unit and never lost their structure. Nolan Fairley was very solid in goal as he came off his line to clear a number of Raptor through balls and was solid in the air as well especially off of a couple of dangerous Raptor corners.

The Tornadoes will be challenged next Sunday when they travel to Harrison to face the Fire.

U14 Girls - Eagles

The U14G Eagles had a busy soccer weekend with mixed results. On Saturday, the Eagles came away with the first place trophy for their bracket at the White Plains Tiger Tune-up Tournament. They had convincing wins against the Rye Fire (2-0) and Yonkers Rush Falcons (3-0), no losses and a 0-0 tie with Asphalt Green Sporting. Unfortunately, the tide turned swiftly on Sunday as the West Side Red Bulls came onto the Eagles home turf at Dobbs Ferry High School and put on a dominating display in the first half of play, going up 4-0 by half time. The Eagles awoke from their slumber in the second half, battling back with goals from Zarina Nabi and Nina Rosenburg. The Red Bulls also managed two goals in the second half bringing the final to 6-2 in their favor. The Eagles play away this weekend facing the undefeated Mahopac Flames.