ISSUE 6!

JUNE 2, 2010

Yankee United News

Stars Win 2010 Columbia Invitational Title
Over the Memorial Day weekend, in front of the net.
the Yankee U-16 Stars won their After several blocked
second major tournament title of shots, one found its
the Spring season, going 4-0-0 over way to the back of
three days of play. They began it the Stars net in what
with an explosive offense and looked to be the
concluded it with a smothering decisive score of the
defense, relying on their midfielders for support in championship game.
both of these endeavors. As the half wore on,
The Stars scored 5 goals and yielded just 2 en two Stars players had
route to a win over the Hershey Crush (E-PA) in to be helped from the
game one. In game two, they field
defeated Baltimore Bays with
Lindsay Macri cha#enges the keeper
(MD) by a score of 3-1. cramps
Assured of qualifying for the and dehydration starting to take their
final on Monday, a more toll.
relaxed approach earned the The Stars continued to pressure the
Stars their only shut-out of Ocean Eagles and forced a corner kick
the tournament with a 2-0 with just 15 minutes left in the game.
victory over U.S. Parma Returning the favor from the earlier
Dapprima, setting the stage score, the Stars sent the kick sailing to
for a show-down with Region the far post into a swarm of players
1 powerhouse USP Ocean Megan Manzo clears the ba# from both sides. Forward Shawnique
Eagles. Samuels shot the ball into the crowd
Under sunny skies, in hot and humid conditions, only to have it cleared back in her direction. Her
the two finalists battled to a scoreless tie in the first second shot found its way to the back corner of the
half. Each team Eagles net for the tying score.
had chances to The two teams continued to battle for
score, and each possession but it was fast becoming apparent that
attempt was the final outcome would be determined by PKs at
thwarted by the the end of regulation. When that time came, the
opposing Stars outshot them 4-3 to win the title.
defenses. In the
second half, the
play began to
reflect the
weather
conditions with
Keeper Kasey O’Brien strips the ba# defenses and
midfielders starting to tire. Just five minutes in, the
Ocean Eagles lifted a corner kick high in front of the
Stars goal and a scrum ensued in the crowd of players The U-16 Stars at the Columbia Invitational Tournament

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 ISSUE 6!
U-14 Strikers Are Semi-Finalists at Columbia
A famous soccer philosopher
once pondered the timeless
rhetorical question: “Is it too
much to ask to win the games in
which you dominate?” Fair
question, far simpler answer: you
still need to put the ball in the
back of the net.
The Strikers learned that lesson in spades at the
Columbia Invitational. The team played its best
soccer of the year, dominated in possession against
all three of its opponents, but with a bid for the
finals on the line came up short in the one category
that ultimately decides the outcome of games:
scoring.
Keeper Charlotte Massey leaps for a loose ba#
The Strikers opened the
tournament with a 2-1 win over the Smithtown
Kickers, scoring two goals early in the second half
to put the game out of reach. Just two minutes in,
Eliza Paltauf took a pass from Aimee Manderlink,
spun around the last defender and found herself
one-on-one with the keeper. She promptly drilled
the ball to the keepers right to help the Strikers to a
1-0 lead. Five minutes later, Manderlink crossed the
ball inside the 18 where the Smithtown keeper
moved to get it. She spied an oncoming Strikers
forward, Katie Faryniarz, took her eye off the ball
momentarily which caused her to leave it slightly
behind her fingertips, allowing Faryniarz to gain
possession and carefully place a shot into a wide-
open net.
In game two, the Strikers outplayed the West
Chester Renegades for the entire game but failed to
capitalize on the many scoring opportunities they
created. The game appeared headed to a scoreless
JUNE 2, 2010
tie, when West Chester was given a free kick from
just outside the
the PK area with
just 7 minutes
left. The hard hit
ball was bobbled
by the Strikers
keeper and shot
into an open goal
by an on-rushing
West Chester
player to notch a
surprise win.
With the loss, Cori Scales wins a header
the Strikers knew they needed a shut-out and a goal
differential of at least two against local favorite
Frederick FC (VA), coupled with a West Chester
loss to Smithtown, in order to have any chance of
making the final. They held up their end of the
bargain with a 2-0 victory over Frederick. Early in
the first half, midfielder Carly Cugine shot the ball
hard from just outside the PK area and watched as
it deflected off a defender and into the goal. Eight
minutes later, Cugine lifted a ball arcing over the
Frederick midfielders to Olivia Reyes who dribbled
down a wide-open right side of the field. As the
keeper came out to cut down the angle, Reyes shot
the ball high grazing over her fingertips settling just
just inside the far post. In the second half, the
Strikers relentlessly fired balls in the direction of
the Frederick net but were unable to add to their
lead. It was all for naught, however, as it was later
reported that West Chester won its third game and
advanced to the final.
“I am very pleased with the quality of play. We
dominated possession but were not able to finish
the way we would like to.” said Coach Jack
Nogueira. “It is the nature of soccer, that the best
team does not always win and I felt we were better
than the three teams we played this weekend.
However the scoreboard doesn’t reflect that. The
lesson here is that you have to make the most of
every opportunity you have to score. The team that
does that consistently always has a great chance to
win.”
More photos of the Strikers can be found on page 4
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ISSUE 6! JUNE 2, 2010

U-16 Stars at the Columbia Invitational. The Stars won the Championship Title at this event. PAGE 3
ISSUE 6! JUNE 2, 2010

U-14 Strikers at the Columbia Invitational. The Strikers were semi-finalists at this event. PAGE 4
 ISSUE 6!
SubRegion 1
U-15 Blaze Finish Strong in NE League
For the second time in two years, the U15 Blaze
came in 3rd place in the Northeast Regional
League.
The Blaze
opened their season
in March against a
strong Albertson side
in torrential
downpour, wind, and
cold temperatures. A
back and forth game
saw Albertson take
advantage of two sloppy
weather goals to go up
2-0. Despite their best
efforts, the Blaze couldn’t
equalize.  remainder of the game, it looked again like the Blaze
In the second game, the Blaze returned to
regional play against rival New Hyde Park. Last
season saw the Blaze tie NHP 0-0; and the NEWSS
tournament saw NHP edge the Blaze
in a dramatic 2-1 win in the final
minutes. This time around, the
Blaze made no mistake in their
performance with a 4-1 win. Goals
scored by Turner Block, Kiana
Rugar, Kasey Butts, Sam Washuk.
The third game of the season
was against strong rival,
Massapequa. The game was a
hard fought battle back and
forth, with the Blaze able to
hold their bigger and faster
opponents to very few opportunities.
The Blaze nearly went ahead when Kasey Butts
dribbled the keeper but was fouled without a penalty
awarded. Again, the Blaze fought hard and Nikki
Peterson, the Blaze Captain returning from weeks
out with a concussion, nearly put the Blaze ahead
twice in the second half. In the final minute of the
JUNE 2, 2010
game, Massapequa forced a corner and devastated
the Blaze with a powerful backpost header right
into the goal to leave the game at 1-0.
The fourth game of the season, the Blaze
played Eastern FC Power of NY.  Kiana
Rugar put the Blaze ahead 1-0, off a feed
from Captain Nikki Peterson, by beating
two defenders and slipping a perfectly
placed shot past the keeper.  The Blaze
battled and dominated the beginning of
the second half and created 4 excellent
chances that were all denied.  EFC
responded with their first chance in the
second half when EFC ripped a shot
from 30 yards out over the head of
keeper Meg FitzGerald.  Back and forth for the
was headed to a tie.  However in the last two
minutes, a controversial foul against a Blaze
defender was reversed and awarded to EFC just
outside the box.  EFC responded with a perfect
free kick ending the game at 2-1.
The Blaze was now 1-3 in the
league coming off
back to back
heartbreakers. 
They responded
with strength,
character,
determination,
and real hunger
punishing
Connecticut rival,
CFC Arsenal 2-0. 
The Blaze dominated
created several great
chances.  Captain Nikki
Peterson got an assist on the first goal in the corner
playing the ball to a sliding Kiana Rugar.  In the
second half, a free kick was awarded on the left side
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ISSUE 6!
Blaze Finish Strong in NE League (cont.)
outside the box when Sam Washuk was fouled.  Alleycats keeper.  Moments later, Captain Siri
Nikki Peterson placed a perfect shot between the
wall, the near post and the keeper to put the Blaze
up 2-0. The Blaze defense led by
Siri Andrews, Dani
Valente, Taylor Pratcher,
Jenna Saymon, and Jocey
Mongillo held strong and
denied any chances
Arsenal attempted to
create.  Kasey Butts, Sam
Washuk, Nicolette Glidden
went at Arsenal all day long,
while the midfield was
controlled by Abby Fagan.
The last weekend of
regional play was the biggest test of all, with a 4
hour drive up to New Hampshire to face hosts NH
Classics and the Alleycats of Albany.  The Blaze
opened against the Alleycats who last
year beat the Blaze solidly 3-1.  The
NEWSS tournament saw the Blaze
come back strong against the
Alleycats but still come up short 1-0.  found herself on 3 breakaways
This time, the Blaze, now 2-3 in the
league had to play their old foes in
what was going to be the toughest
game yet.  The Alleycats walked
through the Blaze easily early on to
put them ahead 1-0.  Megan
FitzGerald kept the game tight for
the Blaze by stopping a breakaway moments later.  perfectly placed tap in to put the
In the second half when Bianka Bell beat 2 players
in the midfield and played a perfect pass out wide to
Turner Block.  Block beat a player and ripped a
gorgeous shot to the far upper corner past the
Yankee United
Team Rankings
JUNE 2, 2010
Andrews was fouled hard near the top of the box
and had to leave the field with a
fractured wrist.  Captain Nikki
Peterson made it ok for her fellow
captain by firing a direct kick past
the keeper to put the Blaze up 2-1. 
The Blaze solidified their defense,
and won the game by staying very
organized and defending well as a
team. 
Now at 3-3 in the league, the
Blaze faced NH Classics for the
second game of a hot hot day. 
Despite coming off their biggest win of
the season, the Blaze knew the Classics could score
goals and would be physical.  Kiana Rugar put the
Blaze up 2-0 in a 5 minute fury of goals in the first
half.  NH responded by slamming home a corner
and ripping a shot off a rebounded save by Megan
Fitzgerald.  Tied at 2-2, the
Blaze scrambled for the go
ahead goal.  Sam Washuk
only to be denied.  Kasey
Butts found her way past many
players, only to be denied.
Finally, Turner Block won the
ball off a goal kick, and played a
cross behind the NH defense to
Nicolette Glidden who scored a
Blaze up 3-2.  5 goals in the first half found the
Blaze in a position to end the season with 4 wins, if
they could defend strong for 40 minutes.  They did
just that.
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ISSUE 6! JUNE 2, 2010

U-13 Hurricanes Win Lincoln Page Tournament

In the championship game, the Phoenix and
the Hurricanes battled to a 1-1 tie, through
regulation and two overtime periods. In the PK
shootout that ensued, the Hurricanes outscored
Morris 4-1 for the title.
“I am very pleased with the way the girls
The Yankee United 13s moved into this quiet
played this weekend.” said Hurricanes coach
seaside town just like a hurricane, winning all four
Steve Waizenegger. “We continue to improve and
of their games, scoring eight goals and allowing
raise the level of our game. We played a technical
just two.
game, which is our strength and took advantage
The tournament began with 1-0 victory over of our opponents mistakes. That is what good
Rockville Centre (NY-E) in a hotly contested teams do.”
match that featured the
defensive qualities of
each team. The
Hurricanes then played
Albertson Fury (NY-E)
winning that game 2-1. In
the drivers seat for a
ticket to the final, the
team easily defeated FC
Westchester (NY-E) 3-0
before facing Morris
United Phoenix (NJ) in
the final.
The Hurricanes show off their hardware %om the Lincoln Page Memorial Day Tournament

US Team Begins 2010 World Cup Play

It happens just once every
four years: the world’s finest
soccer players suit up in their
home country’s colors and
compete for glory and infamy on
the global stage.
World Cup 2010 matches will take place in
venues throughout South Africa. Beginning on
June 11th and concluding on July 11th.
The first round of the World Cup features 8
groups (A through H), each with four countries.
The US will be competing in Group C, with
matches against England (June 12), Slovenia (June
18), and Algeria (June 23). The top 2 teams from
each group will move to the round of 16, a more
traditional single elimination tournament
bracket.
The US side features well-recognized names
like Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey and Tim
Howard. Their participation in Group C gives
them a rematch with England that has fans
recalling the infamous upset by the US in 1950.
Fortunately for the US, a repeat performance in
2010 is not a prerequisite to get to the round of
16. But how well will they do? We’ll just have to
wait and see. Go USA!

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 ISSUE 6! JUNE 2, 2010

Yankee United Website Now Live - Come Visit!

If you’ve been to the Yankee United website
lately, you’ve noticed that there is a little more
to catch your eye: action photos, video footage,
real-time scores, team updates, schedules and
more. If you haven’t visited it yet, we have just
one question: what are
you waiting for?!
“I am very
pleased with
how
smoothly the
transition
proceeded over the past
two months. We are not using all of the
capabilities just yet, but with training and
additional experience in working with the
system we will become much more efficient in
performing the website tasks that streamline
the administration of a Premier Soccer Club.”
says Yankee President Wayne Mones.
Matt Mones, the project manager for the
conversion project, adds “The system can
handle such recurring tasks as roster
management, scheduling, notifications, score
reporting, and directions to field locations. It is
a very powerful tool for managers and website
administrators. As with any tool it takes time to
train people and to learn all that it is capable of
doing for you. We’ve made a very good first
effort over the last two months.”
According to website statistics provided by
the system, the site is generating quite a bit of
activity with roughly 7,000 visits (unique
sessions) since it was launched in early May. The
site is generating a little over 4,000 page views a
week.
Please visit the new website and let us know
what you think. The address is:
http://www.yankeeunited.com/

YUFC Club Picnic: Yankee Board Members

New Date, Same Fun! President/Coaching Director

Wayne Mones

When: Where: Administrator and Registrar

Saturday SJHS field Dee Demers

July 31st Treasurer

Jack Nogueira

What: Referee Assignor

Ed Maloney
Food, Fun
and Friends Goalkeeper Coach
Mark Pataky

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