It didn’t look too promising a day, Sept. 29, 2012, for New Hyde Park TOP soccer practice but the coaches decided to see if the weather would break. It was fortunate that it didn’t rain because the athletes were visited by the Kellenberg varsity boys soccer team, the Firebirds.
In fact, it was quite a crowd at Center Street with Kellenberg training the athletes, the coaches helping the players in the drills and the parents and siblings cheering them on the field. It turned out to be a great soccer day.
The Kellenberg team put the athletes through passing and shooting drills, giving them soccer advice from their own experiences. After a photo break, the TOP soccer athletes challenged the Varsity team to their own respective games.
Welcome to our new junior player Demetri Georgedakis, who joined us for the first time today. The Red Tornados had no mercy for the Firebirds and everyone on the team came down the field and scored. The Firebirds obviously were not use to the small sided nets and constantly shot the ball wide. The Firebirds were able to put two into the net but otherwise Demetri’s brother helped out the Tornados with solid goalkeeping.
The Tornados’ Daniel Menendez, Desmond O’Callaghan, David Cheung, John Bertuccio, Bryan Roach, Demetri Georgedakis all scored a goal. Lucas Mitacchione was really into the game scoring two goals, assisting other players and playing with great sportsmanship. Christopher Menedez was the powerhouse on the team and had four goals of his own.
The Firebirds fared better in the intermediate game but the Red Mushrooms answered every one of Kellenberg’s goals and Chris Cooney’s hat trick of three goals put the Mushrooms in control of the game. Josh Hom, Matt Laseuv and Petros D’Amico all took turns in the goal and each had tremendous saves and caused much frustration among the Firebirds. Danny Durso, Sophocles Gianakis, Josh Hom and Matthew Laseuv added to Chris’s goals. Kyle Hanratty, Sebastian Pinto, and Alex Laroia were excellent as midfielder defenders. Jesse and James Sarro were on the sidelines rooting the Red Mushrooms on to victory.
In the seniors game, it was another victory for the Red Wildcats. The Kellenberg boys tried their best but coach Rich Bletsch was on fire in the goal for the Wildcats.
James Fahey scored two as did Andrea Matteo. The Firebirds were able to put three past Coach Bletsch but the Wildcats answered with goals by Stefani Egre, Matthew Saraiva, and Tristan Yang. Patrick Williams, Justin Almonte, Frank LaPinta, Samantha Duggan and Daniel Durso kept the ball away from the Firebirds with their heads-up defense.
Mary and David Glass controlled the midfield, giving excellent passes to Charlie Hinz and Joe Caban. It was an enjoyable soccer match for the Seniors who loved the competition of playing against the Kellenberg team.
Thank you to the Kellenberg boys soccer team and their coaches who gave time from their own practice to assist the NHP TOP soccer athletes; it was a great experience!
Reminder: New Hyde Park will be hosting a TOP soccer tournament on Oct. 13th, at the Denton Ave. School at 9 a.m. Please join us.
