Part of what makes the LI Cup Finals such an exciting event is the venue. The Stony Brook Soccer Club allows the LIJSL to
use their travel fields at Stony Brook University to host 68 championship games over the two days, and no one is more appreciative than the three people who oversee the tournament.
“We’ve been out at Stony Brook now 6 or 7 years and they do a terrific job hosting this event for us,” said Tournament Chairman Frank Asselta on Saturday. “They do a lot of the work with lining the field and setting up the goals, and we take it from there.”
Boys Tournament Chairman Marc Stein and Girls Chairman Anthony Maresco agree that Stony Brook provides an excellent facility for the players and the spectators alike, and their hospitality and attention to detail makes the event work.
“Stony Brook-Three Village Soccer gives back to the league by allowing us to hold this event here,” Stein says. “It’s a great facility which allows us to keep the finals in one place over one weekend. The fields are in good shape and the upkeep of the facility is great as well.”
“They are the perfect host,” Maresco added. “They make us feel welcome here every year. They give us everything we need. We have a great relationship with them.”
For many of the parents and players we spoke to over the weekend, these are the nicest fields they’ve seen all year.
“This is my first time here,” said Kim Dominguez, a parent from East Meadow. “It’s beautiful here. It’s great for the boys to be invited, and to have a chance to play in an event like this in a beautiful complex. It’s been great.”
“The fields here are great,” said North Babylon’s Kyle Gully. “These are probably the best fields we’ve played on all year.”
For coaches like Smithtown’s Bill Marrero, who has been to three straight LI Cup finals with his boys team, it’s comforting to know that the fields are not something he has to worry about.
“Absolutely. This is a beautiful facility,” he said after his team’s win Saturday. “It’s top notch. They are very accommodating, the fields are in perfect condition, and it’s just a pleasure to play here.”
Without question, it’s a comfort to the actual players as well.
“This is our first time in the finals,” said Brianna Wolf of Lake Grove. “It’s really nice out here. The fields are done up really well compared to what we normally play on.”