Boys U-8 1/2 Dominate Massapequa

The Merillon Little League Boys 24 - 8 1/2 of two equally balanced teams won first place in each of their groups in the Father's Day Weekend Tournament in Massapequa.

NHP White 4 - Carle Place 0

NHP White 4 - North Shore 1

NHP White 5 - East Meadow 0

NHP White 5 - East Islip 0

NHP White 4 - Levittown 0

NHP Blue 2 - East Islip 0

NHP Blue 1 - West Islip 0

NHP Blue 1 - Oceanside 1

NHP Blue 3 - Levittown 1

NHP Blue 0 - East Meadow 0

The following boys excelled in NHP White: Frank Pate, Patrick McGonigle, Aaron Weinstock, Steve Neputto, Joseph Depretto, Joseph Faller, Italo Amorim, Evan Calvo, Zachery Moskowitz, Thomas Salvatico, Patrick "Red" McGonigle, Steve Ambrosio.

NHP Blue 1 - West Islip 0

This was a tough opening game against a stubborn West Islip team. Finally midway thru the second half the offensive pressure on NHP paid off. Being led by Santino, Juan Carlos and Brandon the only goal needed scored by Tommy. Terrific midfield play by Liam and Jakub backed up by a dominating defense of Evan, Alex and Anthony. The goaltending tandem of Robbie and Joseph was outstanding to earn the shutout.

NHP Blue 2 - East Islip 0

The boys started off fast with two quick goals by Tommy and Santino. Again the strong midfield play of Liam, Juan Carlos and Brandon kept the ball in the opponents' end. The defense was very tough led by Joseph, Alex and Anthony with the goaltending of Robbie and Evan earning a second straight shutout for NHP.

NHP Blue 1 - Oceanside 1

This game was a nail biter with neither team giving an inch. Finally late in the first half Kazuki rushed the ball down the left side line and fed Santino a nice pass for the goal. The midfield play of Tommy, Brandon Santino and Liam was again terrific moving the ball into the offensive zone. The defense led by Evan, Robbie, Alex and Anthony was tough with Joseph playing excellent in goal.

NHP Blue 3 - Levittown 1

Knowing what they needed to do to stay in contention for first place the boys started off very fast with Kazuki scoring two goals and Tommy adding one to take a quick 3-0 lead five minutes into the game. After that Levittown could not recover as Brandon, Alex, Jakub and Santino played excellent in the midfield. With again the strong defense being led by Evan, Joseph and Anthony. The goaltending of Robbie and Liam was just as tough.

NHP Blue 0 - East Meadow 0

With the heavy rain coming down both teams were playing tough as neither were making mistakes. Tommy had two scoring chances but with the wet conditions, the ball went wide of the net. Then late in the first half Joseph made the save of the game for NHP to keep the game scoreless with two minutes gone in the second half the game was halted because of the thunder and lightning. Not able to resume because of the weather the game ended in a tie earning NHP Blue first place in the tournament.

Coaches Tony Grimaldi and Miro Dosoudil would like to thank all the parents for their support both in the heat on Saturday and the rains on Sunday. We would especially like to congratulate all the players Tommy Roulis, Anthony Grimaldi, Jakub Dosoudil, Brandon Craig, Santino Mauceri, Alex Theodores, Joseph Nikec, Evan Leung, Liam Farrell, Kazuki Kondo, Robbie Schenke and Juan Carlos Gonzalez for giving us and their parents an exciting weekend of soccer and bringing home the first place trophy for New Hyde Park. Way to go, guys!