NHP Leopards winners on, off field

The Island Now

The New Hyde Park BU12 Leopards travel team just completed another successful season in the ultra-competitive Long Island Junior Soccer League division one. 

When LIJSL decided to cancel the remainder of the fall season as a result of the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, the Leopards were in first place.  They were the only undefeated team and poised to repeat as division one champions. 

This was the first season playing full-sided (11v11) on the big field.  

The boys made a seamless transition while simultaneously learning a new formation with different responsibilities and incorporating five new players as the roster expanded. 

It took a few weeks for the boys to get comfortable with each other on the pitch and for the coaches to figure out which positions best fit the new arrivals.  

Everything fell into place nicely and the boys hit their stride around mid-season. The Leopards were peaking just at the time that the season was cancelled. Additionally, the Leopards finished 3-0 and in first place in their group of the group stage of the NYCSL NY Cup Tournament. This means that they are advancing to the elimination round to be played in the spring as a number one seed. 

Team trainer Andre Higgins said, “completing the feat of finishing the fall season in both league and cup competitions unbeaten is a very rare accomplishment which they should be very proud of.” 

The boys played a pleasing brand of soccer, consistently dominating the time of possession and playing unselfishly and team-oriented. The coaches demanded a great deal from these boys and set high expectations.  The boys always rose to the challenge. The future looks bright for the Leopards and we look forward to it with great anticipation. 

The Leopards participated in several fundraising efforts to raise funds for those affected by Superstorm Sandy. As always, we would like to thank the parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts and uncles, etc. for the great support that they have shown both to the boys and the coaching staff. The Leopards family would like to extend well wishes and a Happy Holiday Season to New Hyde Park and surrounding communities from which the boys hail. 

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