Sleepy Hollow Football Club kicks off Fall season: Weeks 1 & 2

And we’re back…The Sleepy Hollow Football Club kicked off the Fall season in earnest. Both parents and players celebrated the return to the field. We welcome several new teams to the lineup including the newly configured 2012 Red Devils United and Red Devils Union and our youngest U9 starters: 2013 Girls Thunder and 2013 Boys Red Dragons. Great to see the SHFC expand and continue to grow.

It’s been a whirlwind couple of weeks and we’re off to a great start. Read on for the highlights of these initial games.

For more information about SHFC, please visit http://www.sleepyhollowfc.com

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SHFC Blaze

Who had the first hit at the newest Yankee Stadium? Johnny Damon. Who had the first ever goal for the Sleepy Hollow Blaze in WYSL's JV U16 girls' league? Meghan O'Hanlon.

Also scoring for the Blaze in their 7 - 2 win Saturday over the South Bronx Shooting Stars were Juliana Marvin, Gemma Fante - who had a brace, Sammi Marvin, Cassie Junge, and Bianca Lopez-Parnetti who launched a high arching shot 25 yards from the net over the leaping glove of the Shooting Stars' goalie.

Helping control the midfield for the Blaze were Zoey Murphy, Lizzie Molina, and Jhoselyn Pugo. Gabby Disney played a superb defense, challenging strikers and limiting shots on goal against Emily Aridas, the Blaze's goalie. Emily saved all but 2 of the Stars' shots. Playing without subs and up against girls 1 to 4 years older than them, the Blaze showed character, team spirit, and superior soccer skills.

The next game for the team that has won 8 WYSL division titles, is Sunday October 3rd in a match scheduled for 1 pm at Springhurst ES.

SHFC Fusion

SHFC Fusion, the boys 2008 team, is now 1-0-1 after two games. Fusion travelled to the Olympiacos White at SUNY Maritime on September 12 where they dominated from the start. Luke Tonaj scored off the opening kickoff and Sebastian Londono and Luca Dominguez also scored later in the game to give Fusion a 3-0 victory. Additional goal attempts by Dylan Largo, Josh Ortiz, Ian Papadopoulos, Shyam Manjanath, Kieran Degen and Sean Mackiewicz would be blocked or just miss their mark. Defense plays from Aiden Lee and Alessandro Soto were key in this team victory. Way to kick off the fall season, Fusion!

On Sunday September 19, Fusion travelled to the Eastchester Arsenal. Fusions fans experienced a very thrilling game. After finding themselves down 2-0 by minute 15, Fusion clawed their way back to tie the game at 2 in the minute before halftime. Goals from Luke Tonaj and Jayden Perez really motivated the team to play some really aggressive soccer in the second half of the game. Attempts from Eoghan Glynn, Edwin Dutan and Sean Mackiewicz kept Fusion in the hunt until the final whistle, when the teams ended in a draw at 2. Fusion's Pierce Davis and Jonathan Figueroa played in goal and had some great plays over these two weeks of games so far in the fall season. The team looks forward to hosting Eastchester for a rematch on Halloween morning!

Fusion has its home opener Sunday Sept 26 at SHHS Turf field against the Mt Pleasant Wildcats. Coaches Mackiewicz, Glynn, Degen and Papadopoulos are looking forward to a great season!

SHFC Red Fury

The Red Fury opened their season with a home game against the Greenburg United Storm winning 2 -1. This was their first game with 11 players and the Red Fury displayed their trademarks of passing, ball dominance, and team cohesion. The first half saw a lot of back and forth between the Red Fury and Storm. Excellent defensive play by Grace McGovern and Maiyumi Marcus-Kanesaka thwarted several initial attempts by the Storm. Rachel Richardson and Breanne Rodriguez did a great job intercepting passes in the midfield and moving the ball up the field. Julia Maad did an excellent job pushing the ball up the left side and Lauren Monachelli and Sofia Cruz applied pressure on the Storm's goalie. The Storm did score first but the Red Fury found their groove and began dominating ball possession. A pass by Rachel to Sofia produced Red Fury's first goal of the game. Meghan McMahon playing goalie did a great job preventing the Storm from scoring again in this half.

During the second half of the game, the Red Fury dominated in ball possession and defense. Grace, playing stopper, broke up many attacks by the Storm and Rose Ritz, playing goalie, had several big saves. Mia and Meadow Gurreri applied constant pressure on the Storm players while Rachel, Sofia, and Meghan, now playing left forward, had many exciting opportunities to attack the Storm's goal. Maiyumi playing right forward lobbed in passes that connected with Meghan or Sofia. One such attack saw Meghan score the next and final goal of the game.

In their second game of the season, the Red Fury had a decisive 5-2 win over the Gotham Girls. This was an away game that saw the Red Fury at Pier 40 in Manhattan and the Red Fury played with exceptional defense, ball possession and passing, and excellent teamwork. Sofia Cruz scored 4 goals during this game with Lauren Monachelli scoring the other.

In the first half, the Gotham Girls jumped to the lead with a quick strike to the goal. Trying to replicate their early success, the Gotham Girls applied pressure on the Red Fury's backline. Excellent defense by Grace McGovern and Maiyumi Marcus-Kanesaka thwarted their attempt and Rose Ritz playing goalie had several saves. The Red Fury began dominating ball possession, and Lauren threaded an excellent pass to Sofia who had the first of her four goals. Shortly thereafter, Rachel Richardson intercepted a pass by the Gotham Girls' goalie and fed it to Sofia who scored again. Breanne Rodriguez, playing midfield, did an excellent job moving the ball up the field along with Yatee Iokhande and Julia Maad. There were exciting plays by Meghan McMahon who had several strikes on goal but the Gotham Girls were able to score on a breakaway tying up the game by halftime.

Shortly after halftime began, Sofia struck her third goal. From this point on, the Red Fury dominated the game. Although the Gotham Girls attempted to press the Red Fury, defenders Natalie Coffman, Kate Masters, and Grace ran down plays, intercepted balls, and passed the ball up the field to disrupt their attacks. Maiyumi, now playing goalie, had some big saves as well, one of which required her to come running out of the goal box in a 1 to 1 challenge. Maeve Yox with Mia and Meadow Gurreri did a great job pushing the ball up the field. During a Red Fury attack, Lauren managed to strike one in when there was a lot of back and forth in front of the Gotham Girls' goal. During another Red Fury attack, Meadow had a sublime cross that connected with Sofia who slammed it home. The Gotham Girls had one other opportunity to score towards the end of the game. During a breakaway, the Gotham Girls took a power shot on goal which was deflected by Maiyumi who then covered up on the ball.

The Red Fury is coached by Katie McMahon and Jim McGovern. Next week, they play at home against the Rivertowns United Lightning.

SHFC Red Devils United

The Boys U10 Red Devils United have started their Fall 2021 season on fire, with two decisive wins. The team started the season at home against the North Salem Yellow Tigers with a full squad, demonstrating speed and strong passing. David Alban, Ryan Mackiewicz, Manny Clavijo, Declan Kennedy and Mason Delvecchio were all strong on offense, taking several shots on goal. Oliver Wilde, Chris Zhuzhingo and Jonathan Saico were strong through the center of the field, keeping the ball in the offensive zone. Asher Gaito and JP Williamson kept the Yellow Tigers away from the net, and Max Muinos and Kieran Salvatierra held strong in goal to prevent the Tigers from scoring. The result was a 6-0 win for the Red Devils United with goals from David Alban, Manny Clavijo, and Mason Delvecchio.

The team followed their win against North Salem with another great showing against the Rivertowns United B12 Lynx squad on the road. The team settled into their respective positions, improving their communication and ability to move the ball around the field. The boys followed the expert coaching advice of Antonio Munios and Ken Mackiewicz, building out the play from the goal line, passing up the sidelines, and crossing to the striker. Max Munios and Mason Delvecchio almost managed another shut-out, with just one goal getting by the Red Devils United squad. On offense, David Alban scored 3 for the Red Devils, with Manny Clavijo and Max Muinos each adding another for a final score of 5-1 for the Red Devils United. It's been a great start to a fresh team and a new season!

SHFC Red Bandits

The Girls 2010 Red Bandits coached by Mike Levine, Michelle Defilippis and Mike Glynn, kicked off their fourth season opener and their fourth season as a team on Sunday, September 12th, at Onatru Farm Park in South Salem, against the John Jay Purple.

The Purple’s passing game was on point all morning, and they took advantage of multiple opportunities to take shots on goal in the first half. Goalkeeper, Sabrina Graham, had her work cut out for her with the Bandit’s other keeper, Eli Impastato, out for the game. The defensive line of Marley Defilippis, Natalia Hargrave, and Melodie Molina, along with stopper, Mackenzie Linhart, cleared the ball multiple times

giving the keeper much-needed breaks. Offensive players Mila Gallagher, Katie Yalmokas, Ada Chalfy and Marianna Patsch made several impressive attempts, with Patsch and Chalfy taking several shots that just skimmed the top of the goal. Towards the end of the first half, Ada Chalfy blasted a shot into the bottom left corner of the net, off a cross-field pass from forward, Katie Yalmokas, to end the half with a score of 1-0 Bandits.

At the start of the second half, John Jay continued to be aggressive, and they were able to send the ball past Sabrina Graham to tie the score at 1-1. Ada Chalfy, maneuvering around the John Jay goalie, quickly answered back with a straight shot up the middle, moving the Bandits ahead by one. With their strong defensive line, consistently shooting the ball up the field, and their offense showing great footwork and agility, the Bandits were able to hold the score at 2-1.

After being out for the second half of the Spring season, defensive player, Marley Defilippis, returned for her first game, and continued to show amazing speed and strength throughout the game.

The Bandits added five new team members in the off season, Scarlett Johnstone and Kelsey Crawford playing offense on Sunday. Noor Ibouzir, Ava Anderson and Mathilda Erdbrink Johnson playing defense. After several seasons having few substitutes, the new players provided amazing support, and integrated well into the Bandits existing roster.

Coming off their Spring 2021, Division 2, First Place Championship, and moving up a division, it was a great way to start the Fall 2021 Season.

The 2010 Girls Red Bandits fought a tough match with Shrub Oak Inferno on Sunday, in an evenly-matched, competitive game. In the first half, the defense showed tenacity, with Mackenzie Linhart continuing to show tenacity and leadership on the field. Newcomer Ava Anderson charged into the fray, and got the ball out of traffic. Despite the big boot of Lily Glynn and a solid Bandits defensive line, Shrub Oak sneaked in two goals. Elizabeth Impastato kept her head up in the goal, and had more than a few excellent saves. Ada Chalfy showcased some fancy footwork on the left wing, and after a few close strikes, delivered a Bandits goal late in the first.

Sabrina Graham strode into the goal box for the second half, and delivered confident save after save, as Shrub Oak consistently kept the pressure on. Chalfy had multiple shots at goal, and Impastato charged the ball straight to goal for a near miss. Despite the offensive line's constant pressure, brilliant midfield coverage by Marianna Patsch, and great defensive grit led by Marley DiFilippis and newcomer Noor Ibouzir, the Bandits came up short in the end, taking a 3-1 loss.

SHFC Shadows

The Shadows started out the season with 5 new additions to the team and we welcome Justin, Miguel, Steven, Nolan and Matthew! In their first game, the Shadows faced off against the Greenburgh United Falcons. The Falcons scored an early goal on goalkeeper Leo Zohar but the Shadows reacted with 2 shots on Falcons’ goal by Bobby Gonzalez. Andrew Lucchetti and Branden Wang fought hard to keep up the defense. Duncan Barron had nice hustle down the field. After another goal for the Falcons, Justin Rodriguez had the first 2 goals for the Shadows, the first off a long free kick, that brought the score to 2-2. After the third Falcons goal and some great saves by Zohar, The Shadows had great passing that opened up a lot of chances. Steven Senger had a shot on the Falcons and with a sneak goal by Lucchetti brought the score tied, 3-3. Nolan Pellegrini showed off some nice footwork and Gonzalez was able to land in a goal for Shadows bringing the score 4-3. Joaquin Rodriguez and Miguel Sousa-Sevilla had several shots on the Falcons goal and Sousa-Sevilla landed in the final goal for Shadows as the defense hunkered down and turned away the Falcons’ attacks. The final score was 5-3 Shadows.

The Shadows hosted the Rivertown United Panthers at Hackley field this past Sunday. Duncan Barron had some shots on goal from the start with a nice assist to Joaquin Rodriguez with an attempt. Hagai Frechter played great defense in the beginning of the game and after moving to striker, Frechter was able to score a goal for Shadows. The Panthers had a fast team as they advanced on goalkeeper Leo Zohar who saw a lot of action and had a lot of strong saves throughout the game. The Shadows’ 5 new players who joined the team this fall helped to make up the strong group of 14. In the end the final score was 3-1 Panthers, so the Shadows hope to come out strong next week as they face of the Larchmont White Devils.

SHFC Thunder

We’re proud to introduce TEAM THUNDER, SHFC’s newest girls team! Team Thunder (girls born in 2013 and now in 3rd grade) had a great home game yesterday against Manhattan’s Victory. Despite Thunder's 5-2 loss, the girls are learning to work as a team and they played hard. Team Thunder loved when the Gators showed their support and cheered for them on the sidelines. This group is new to club soccer, but excited to be part of the organization. Every week the girls continue to improve (and have fun)…At this age, that is what it it's all about!!! They are grateful for their dedicated coaches Paul Jeris, Adam Yeeles and Jaap Ritzen. This Sunday we are away and play Harrison. t’s going to be an exciting season!

Thunder Photo: Listed in Top row (left to right): Morgan Linhart, Elia Wiedemann, Caroline Conz, Julia Wilson, Remi Nakpodia, Lilly Baird, Emery Ritzen. Bottom row (left to right): Bria Balka, Riley Fiore, Maria Mayor, Maggie Yeeles