By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
Congratulations to Coach Wayne Fortino and the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association’s (ENYYSA) Girls-Under-15
Olympic Development Program South Team, which won the Regionals in Kirkwood, Delaware last weekend. Through the two ODP tournaments they played in Mercer County, New Jersey on June 8 to 10, and in Kirkwood on June 23 and 24, Eastern New York ODP South won all five games, outscoring opponents 16 to 3.
“Our coaches did a wonderful job and the players were fantastic!” exclaimed ENYYSA First Vice President Burt Wilkes.
Kerri Cavallo and Jessica Ammendola scored the two goals in the 2-1 win over Eastern Pennsylvania in the final. Kerri also scored the only goal of the game against New Jersey in the semifinal with five minutes to go. Goalkeepers Megan Ricci and Kayla Kelly are both Under-14 who played up a year because of an injury and a club conflict with the team’s keepers.
“Megan and Kayla both showed tremendous maturity to come into an older team and play at such a high level,” commented Coach Fortino. “To their credit, the girls really welcomed them into the group––ultimately, it was that team spirit which really was the overriding factor to us winning the regional championship.”
“Everyone played significant time in our qualifying games and in the semifinals and final. At some point throughout the season, everyone contributed something meaningful such as a goal, an assist, a blocked shot or a save. They really have been a great group to work with,” Coach Fortino added.
“There are some very talented individual players who all bought into the team philosophy and sacrificed for the greater good of the team. Some played in new positions, for example. We also played a number of different formations throughout the season, which was only possible because of the girls’ ability to learn and understand the various information we were giving them.”
On to the ODP Nationals next March!