Patriots FC 99 Capture Second Indoor Championship In Preparation For Jefferson Cup
The Patriots ’99s won their second indoor tournament of the month on Jan. 23, dominating the U-11 field at a tourney hosted by Quickstrike, outscoring their opponents, 13-1, in four games at the Hudson Valley Sports Dome in Milton, New York.
Aside from capable goalkeeping by Delaney Coppola, Rachel Sandor and Haley Hall, the team was sparked by unselfish play and brisk ball movement throughout the competition.
" I was very impressed at the vision that was displayed by several girls and how it became infectious as the day went on," coach Jeff Fleischmann said. "I can cite at least three goals that six or eight one or two-touch passes that led to easy putaways."
In one of the sequences, after the team calmly played out of pressure from the defensive third, Beth Finley, a dominant force in midfield all day, found Samantha Coffey on the left flank. Coffey crossed to Caroline Lagumina, who pounded a one-touch shot into the upper corner. Fleischmann said it was a tournament in which the contributions came from every player on the team.
"I was hoping for composed, combining soccer and I got a lot of it," the coach said. "It was fun to watch."
Orange Classic Success
Patriots 97's and 95's capture Orange Classic Titles
The Patriots FC 95’s and 97’s both won their respective Championship games at the recent Orange Classic, held in Ft Lauderdale, Florida. The tournament was host to over 350 teams from all over the country, and has been a winter destination for many Patriots teams for the past 11 years.
The Patriots 97’s finished the tournament with a 1-0 win over West Pines United (FL), a team that had not conceded a goal all through the tournament until the 1-0 loss in the final. The 97’s themselves only conceded a single goal during the event, outscoring their opponents 10-1. The 97’s won their group after a 4-0 win over West Pines Fusion (FL) in their second group game. That win combined with their 3-0 win in their first game against Mako (FL) secured them of a first place finish in the group prior to playing their final group game against TEYSA Lehigh Lightning (FL). Knowing they had secured a semi final berth, allowed the team to rest players and experiment a little, as the semi final game was to be played 90 minutes after their final group game.
The semi final match saw them play against Mako again, who had wrapped up the wildcard spot with 2-0 and 3-0 wins over TEYSA Lehigh Lightning and West Pines Fusion respectively. The game was a well played match, and the 97’s dominated much of the game and had much more possession than Mako. Some great goalkeeping from the Mako keeper kept the game even until 10 minutes into the second half, when Sofia Griff took a ball out of the air 20 yards out, turned and volleyed into the upper 90. The 97’s continued to keep the ball, and even saw a goal called back after the assistant referee misinterpreted the offside rule and claimed that a player was offside even though the ball was played backwards. The 97’s didn’t need the second goal, as the referee blew for the end of the game, and the team would be moving onto the Championship game.
The final was exciting and exhibited some exceptional soccer from both teams.The game was separated by a lone goal scored by Sofia Griff, who beat two defenders and slid the ball into the bottom right corner.
The defence was solid throughout the tournament, and was led by Victoria Fleischmann and Libby Closson in the heart of the back line, and Charlotte Warble in goal. The outside backs were instrumental in starting our attacks, and the midfield linked up well with both the back line and the forwards. The forwards worked hard in every game, seeing to it that the team scored 10 goals in 5 games.
Last year the team played up a year in the U13 Green division, and this year saw them play in the top flight of their own age group. Steve Davis, Director of Coaching, and coach for the 97’s was pleased with the team’s performance, saying "I thought we got sharper each game we played, and started to better understand how the Florida teams played. Each team had great speed all over and had many players who possessed great technical ability along with tremendous size."
The 95’s picked up the Millennium Championship trophy after beating Quickstrike 95’s (ENY) in the Championship game. The game was played immediately after the 97’s on the same field, so coach Don Lucas was hoping for a repeat, and got his wish.
The 95’s started their campaign with a convincing 3-1 win over Beach FC (VA) which saw a long range effort by Izzy Sheck from 25 yards out hit the upper 90 to take a 2-0 lead. Beach did get one back, but with 5 mnutes left in the game, the 95’s scored their third goal to secure the 3 points.
The second game of the tournament saw them play Richmond Hills (Canada) The 95’s had much of the possession and took a 2-0 lead, but saw that lead halved 10 minutes into the second half. Whilst they were clearly the better team, a dubious penalty kick with time expired saw Richmond Hills tie the game 2-2 to earn a single point from the game. The 95’s saw it as 2 points lost, but moved onto their third group game with the knowledge that a tie should be enough to move onto the semi finals. The third game was against Western United (CT) and the 95’s saw more of the ball than their opponent, but were unable to put the ball in the net. The game ended in a 0-0 tie, but that was enough to secure a semi final berth.
The semi final game was against a familiar opponent in the Albany Alleycats (ENY). The game was a well fought match, and both teams had their chances to score, but some good goalkeeping from Kate Burbank kept the 95’s in the game. After the match finished in a 0-0 tie, and with no overtime being played, both teams had to nominate 5 players to take penalty kicks. Burbank again made a fine save, extending down to her bottom left to keep the ball out after the 95’s had put their first spot kick wide. A strange but exciting string of misses from both teams saw the penalty kicks go to sudden death, and it was Meghan Caspare who sealed the semi final win with her spot kick after the Alleycats had missed theirs.
The Championship game was against another familiar rival in Quickstrike FC (ENY). The game was scrappy at times, but hard fought throughout by both teams. With a 1-0 result at the end of full time, the 95’s were crowned Millennium Champions of the 2009 Orange Classic.
With both Patriots teams winning the top flights of their respective divisions, it was a first for the Patriots, and one that the club is very proud of.
The 97’s finished with a 4-0-1 record, whilst the 95’s finished with a 3-0-2 record.
Other Patriots teams participating at the tournament were the 92 Whites who went 2-1-1 and finished third in their division. The 93’s finished with a 0-2-2 record. The 94’s finished second in their division with a 2-1-1 record. The 96’s were 1-1-1, and the 98’s were 0-3-0.
Patriot 99s win Coliseum tournament
With a stellar team effort throughout and two late goals in the championship game from Samantha Coffey, the Patriot 99s captured the Soccer Coliseum U-12 tournament on Dec. 19 in Teaneck, N.J., defeating Monroe-Woodbury, a U-12 team, in the finale.
Rallying from a 2-0 deficit in the closing minutes of the decisive game, the Patriots' Beth Finley hit a perfect corner kick to the front of the goal, where Coffey one-timed it with a left foot shot into the upper right corner. Then, with just over a minute remaining, Julia DiRusso delivered a long ball to Finley on the right side. Finley deftly centered to Coffey, who converted it in traffic, tying the score at 2-2.
Tournament rules dictated that the title would be decided on penalty kicks. After Finley knocked the Patriots' first PK into the lower left side, a Monroe-Woodbury player hit the post, and the Patriot comeback was complete.
""It is a very big benchmark to come from behind the way the girls did," coach Jeff Fleischmann said. "It builds character as a player and a person and a team."
The rousing finish completed a fine four-game run for the Patriots, who prevailed despite playing up a year against two of the teams. The Patriots, who got yeoman efforts from Gabriela Picciano, who anchored the defense, and midfielders Finley and Mason Warble, outscored their opponents, 9-2, on the day, getting goals from Caroline LaGumina, Taylor Cvern and Willow Bailon, and significant contributions from Erin Nelson, Isabel Grant, Jess Geller and Juliette Phillips.
Perhaps the offensive highlight of the day was delivered by Picciano, whose blast from just inside the midfield line rocketed into the upper left corner, providing important insurance in the team's 2-0 victory in a third-game victory over Soccer Institute White.
Delaney Coppola and Hayley Hall were stingy all day in the goal. Coppola earned additional kudos, for volunteering to play in the field for Soccer Institute Red, which was a player short.
What pleased Fleischmann most of all, though, was the cohesiveness of the effort, and the unselfishness with which the team played.
"Many of the girls are starting to learn to 'move off the ball,' putting themselves into position to support and penetrate the defense," Fleischmann said. "The ball is beginning to move around very nicely."
Patriots FC Girls Program Excels in TRI-League
On November 22, The Patriots FC girls program captured 1st place in the girls U12, U13 and U14 division of the Inaugural season of the Tri-League. The Tri League was established in the fall of 2009 to allow the top teams from Long Island, New York City, Westchester and Rockland County to compete in a competitive league.
The Patriots 98 went 6-0-1, Patriots FC 97 went 7-0-0 and our Patriots FC 96 went 5-1, these teams for the spring season will now advance onto the Northeast Regional Premier League or Eastern New York Premier. Look for more details to follow. If you would like more information email info@patriotsfc.com
Topical Training a Success
“This Second session designed to help all the players in the club better their understanding of Pressure Dribbling
Thoughts on the second "Topical Training" session by Steve Davis
There were just over 50 players in attendance at Tibbetts Brook Park tonight for
the second Topical Training session offered to all players in the club.
The session I set out for tonight was "Pressure Dribbling" and the focus was to
allow players to dribble with confidence despite pressure from the opponent. I
wanted players placed in situations where they had to identify and exploit open
spaces with assertive high speed dribbling and good ball control.
The exercises used throughout the evening were instrumental in helping the
players recognize when and where to dribble, and there was also emphasis placed
on change of direction and surface of foot used when dribbling.
When we broke down the way we were going to approach the session, it was
important that we used the following factors.
Active Dribbling
Directed Dribbling
Purposeful Dribbling
Dribbling with Fakes
Throughout the duration of the session, we were keen to get the following
coaching points across to the players.
1. Teach the difference between close dribbling to maintain possession, and
speed dribbling to cover space.
2. Point out how and when to change pace and direction, cutting the ball and
using fakes.
3. Shielding the ball as a way to maintain possession, and sealing the defender
once by them.
4. Creating numerical advantages by beating opponents in 1v1 situations.
5. Recognizing second and third player runs to create space to dribble into.
Overall, the evening was another great success, and special thanks go out to
coaches John Sanchez, Jeff Fleischmann, and Sarah Dwyer-Shick for their help in
making the evening a great success.
Next week’s topic will be a huge favorite for both players and coaches alike, as
we attempt to work on "Finishing in the Zone"
What goes on in the head of a youth soccer player when they’re in front of goal?
We’ll hopefully have an answer next week, after we work on "Finishing in the
Zone"
Patriots Revolution 97 Win At Beekman Columbus Day Tournament
We congratulate the Patriot 97 Revolution on winning the Beekman Cup Columbus Day Tournament on October 10, 2009. The boys remained undefeated through the entire tournament and showed great courage and determination even when trailing their opponents at half time. In their come from behind victory in the final game against the White Plains Scorpions, they scored twice in the second half, the second goal occuring just seconds before the end of the game.
THREE PATRIOTS FC TEAMS EXCEL AT SCORE AT THE SHORE TOURNAMENT IN GREENSBORO NORTH CAROLINA- 94'S WIN GIRLS U15 CHAMPIONSHIP!
From July 25-28 three Patriots teams, the 92’s, 93’s and 94’s competed in the prestigious Score at the Shore College Showcase in Greensboro, NC. All of the teams excelled at this international premier tournament with a combined 92/92 White’s reaching the quarter finals, the 93’s as semifinalists and the 94’s crowned as U15 Red Champions. During the first two days of the tournament in 95 degree heat the teams competed in group play to be seeded for tournament play. The 92’s earned a spot in Red division where they finished as quarterfinalists. The 93’s although not faring well in group play proceeded to be a huge surprise in the U16 White tournament bracket. While being seeded 16th, they beat the #1 seed, Arlington Blitz in an exciting PK shootout, and then beat the #8 team 2-0 and lost a tough battle in the semifinals in the last 30 seconds of play 2-1. The 94’s earned top seed in the U15 Red Championship and went on to run the bracket without giving up a goal, with 4-0, 1-0 and 2-0 wins to bring home the GU15 Red Championship.
Patriots FC 2009 Score Showcase Champions Girls U15
Patriots FC 2009 Score Showcase Semi-Finalist Girls U16
Congratulations all around to all the Patriots players & guest players who attended and gave tremendous effort under such difficult conditions. There is a lot to be said for the girls training and preparation to play 6 games in 4 days in such high temperatures. Thank you coaches for preparing the girls for such high level competetion and thank you parents for your support on and off the field!
The Club looks forward to next year’s tournament when we return to Greensboro with the 93’s, 94’s &95’s.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!
We would like to congratulate
Nicole Gorman
for being selected by U.S. Youth Soccer Region 1 Olympic Development Program, 1996 player pool.
&
Patriot’s ’98 2009 ENYYSA State Finalists
Patriots FC
The Patriots Football Club was founded in 1996 by Don Cupertino as a premier division of the Eastchester Youth Soccer Association. In its infancy Patriots FC had only one team with 17 children. Today, the Club has grown substantially, fielding 13 teams with over 200 players from Westchester and surrounding counties.
The Club has had many outstanding achievements over the years in state, regional and national competition, as well as great success at prestigious tournaments such as WAGS, Orange Classic, Disney Showcase, Jefferson Cup and Score at the Shore.
While the Patriots have enjoyed its relationship with EYSA our vision requires us to seek a move to a more regionally diverse membership. As part of the natural progression of seeking a higher level of play Patriots FC is completing a transformation in becoming exclusively a premier soccer club known as Patriots FC.
