The New Hyde Park Lady Lions won the GU16 division title with a 3-0 win over Oceanside, completing a 7-1-1 breakout season.
The Lions’ season started with a stellar six-game winning streak, led by team Captains Zoe Araujo, and Arianna Sinnerine, and the triumphant return of Sam “Lefty” Katsanos.
Over the first six games, the Lions dominated their opponents with a plus 17 goal ratio with goal keeping by Christina Cardinal and scoring by Drianna Sinnerine, Marianna Vukosa, and Sydney Carlino.
In mid-season, the team placed third at the Columbus Day Tournament in Princeton, NJ, with goal keeping by tournament MVP Ali Luna, relentless defense by Michelle Winter and Hannah Ardito and key contributions by midfielder Brittany Battista.
Upon their return from New Jersey, the Lions dropped a tough game 0-1 against West Hempstead for their only league loss of the season. With the division title in the balance, the Lions played Hauppauge to a 0-0 tie led by the defense of Brina Agostini and the midfield tenacity of Brianna Gordon and Dominique Kelly.
Despite all efforts to end the quest for the division title early, it was meant to be decided during the last game of the season against Oceanside.
The first half was a defensive struggle with Caitlyn Cloonan playing shutdown defense at sweeper and not allowing even a single shot on goal.
But this game was decided by offensive genius, with two beautiful goals set up by defensive stops and passes by Caitlyn Cloonan to Sydney Carlino.
Runs by Carlino down the left side topped off with precision crosses to an awaiting Karina Gotz, who placed the ball in the back of the net three times Sunday, capping off her first hat trick of the year.
All in all, this was a season to remember with the girls working hard together to become division champs.
Go Lady Lions!
Stormcats win first game
The New Hyde Park Boys U11 Stormcats won their first game of the season with a commanding 6-2 victory over Bellmore’s AC Milan.
Goals were scored by James Asmus (3), Colin Coope (2) and Joesph Vieni (1) with the assistance of offensive players Christopher Ribaric and Michael Windischmann.
Brendan Cooper, James Gensch, Wafik Rakib, and Ryan Wasserman showed off their defensive skills, successfully halting AC Milan in their tracks. First-year goalie Ryan Kunak impressed the crowd with many outstanding saves.
The coaches were proud of the boys for playing their hearts out and never giving up.
