By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
December 6, 2011-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) and the Long Island Junior Soccer League salute
the College of St. Rose women’s soccer team of Albany upon winning the NCAA Division II national championship. Three former LIJSL players competed for the Golden Knights at midfield––Sydney Bond (club team Farmingdale Freedom), Kyra Meli (Rockville Centre Power), and Allison Schmidt (Amityville Tropical Storm).
Carmelina Puopolo had scored twice in the opening 11 minutes of the second half to give St. Rose a 2-1 win over two-time defending champion Grand Valley State (20-1-4) and capture its first national title. The Golden Knights (24-1-1) had lost in the semifinals at the previous three Division II Final Fours.
“This is incredible," commented St. Rose head coach Laurie Darling Gutheil. "I’m just so proud of these girls. We’ve overcome so many obstacles and our girls did such a good job coming out and doing what they needed to do. They’ve worked so hard and it’s the best thing to be rewarded as the national champion. It’s such a long run to get here that by the time you get out there the girls have given all they have just to get to this point. So once you’re here, it just comes down to heart and effort and that’s why we’re sitting here with this trophy right now.”