TOPSoccer

In preparation for next week's showdown meeting of the parents vs. the players, both sides got in some much needed tune-up's. The juniors concentrated on their skill training. Emily Bosco, Jacob Csillag, Nicholas David, Nicholas DiSalvio, Shawn Haghnazar, Derrick Hsiao, Constantine Lascarides and Harrison Stein were in tiptop shape. The players felt pretty confident in their defensive progress, so they focused on offense, figuring if they control the ball, the parents won't have much time to organize a counterattack next week. We'll see if this strategy works. On the other hand, the seniors worked on all aspects but the results centered on their remarkable scoring prowess. Spreading the goals among five players, the seniors competed against a makeshift team of coaches and parents for their scrimmage. Stefani Egre, Nicholas Marangoudakis and Adam Strominger each tallied twice while Patrick Williams and Devin Burgess added one each. The parents seemed a little too overconfident as they walked through the paces in this match. Once on the field, it didn't appear that their skills were finely honed. Maybe they're trying to lull the players into thinking they have the upper hand. Well, next week it's time to leave it all on the field. We'll see who is the "real-deal"!

- Richard Bletsch

Girls U-12 Pantherettes tryouts for 2007-2008

On June 19th, 6 p.m. at Manor Oaks, the Pantherettes will be holding tryouts for U12 for the 2007-2008 season. We have the entire team planning on returning and need to add some players as we make the jump to full sided 11 V 11. This is a team of girls who love playing soccer and know how to keep it fun. If any girls in the U12 age group are looking to join a team that puts playing good soccer above winning, then contact: Coach Eugene Gorman email: hockeypa@optonline.net cell: 516-782-6874

Team: NHP Lady Jaguars

Division: 1

League: LIJSL

Age: GU13

Date: June 20

Time: 6:00-8:00

Coach: Tom McGrath

Email: 4Mcgrat1@optonline.net

Information: The D1 NHP Lady Jaguars are looking for hard working, dedicated players to join a team of similar players. We offer a professional trainer/coach with practices 2x a week at Tully Park. Our home field is Harbor Links. If you are interested in attending tryouts, please e-mail Tom McGrath 4Mcgrat1@optonline.net with your contact info, or call him at 646-879-0018 if you need directions or further information.

Bernie 646 240-0431

The NHP Lady Tigers - Girls U11 team

The Lady Tigers will be holding tryouts at Ipark on

the 19th. and the 26th. of June. at 6.30pm. We are a division 1 team with a professional trainer and looking for a couple of impact players.

Girls Division

Cabbage Patch Division

G-Bear Summary: Saturday, June 9, and Sunday, June 10

It was a double-header weekend for the G-Bears this past weekend and the girls really turned it on for a sprint to the finish for the season. On Saturday, the G-Bears and Jets mixed their players and each side played a fantastic brand of well-played soccer. Katie Krems had a hat trick for the G-Bears and Erica Lorenzana also found net in the Saturday match as did Jackie Diffley. The G-Bears that played for the Jets, Sophia Leeds, Mackenzie Griffin and Edna Dudek played super and I really want to thank them for volunteering to help out the opposing team this day. On Sunday, Katie Krems did her hat-trick thing again, Katie Meegan netted a pair, as did Erica Lorenzana and the G-bear team did a super job of trying to hold down that high-octane Cubbie attack that kept coming and coming. Very nice effort by both teams!

Seasonal Summary for the G-Bears:

Jackie Diffley: On offense and defense, Jackie was superb this season and really came into her own as a super player in the age group, doing a super job of scoring goals and taking the ball wide and up field on D.

Sophia Leeds: Also super on Offense and D, little Sophia really showed her development this season on both sides of the ball, netting several goals and breaking up countless attacks

Kathleen Toscano: New to the league, Kathleen made great strides in her first season, showing a nice kick and a knack for stopping shots in goal.

Bethany Ambrosio: Bethany came out of nowhere as a rookie player to develop into a very seasoned player. Few players show the knack for making the outlet pass and clearing kicks as Bethany and she is a nice goalie to boot. She also scored her first ever goal this season

Mackenzie Griffin: Big Mack really shined this season as a defender and at midfield - showing great improvement in her aggressiveness, clearing kick and trapping.

Hannah Varghese: Hannah showed a lot of grit this season, flashing very nice speed, a hard clearing kick and nice goalies skills.

Alyssa Macher: Alyssa runs extremely well with the ball and one of the few players who really wants to head the ball at this age. Very nice development this season and I see a very nice player going forward.

Edna Dudek: Edna was rock solid again this season, is very tenacious going after the ball and runs real well when she has open space. She is also a very steady goalie. Great job this season.

Erica Lorenzana: Erica played both offense and defense this season and had good success at both ends - scoring some goals and making some very nice hard clearing kicks.

Kristin Granieri: Kristen had a fine season, doing a very nice job in goal and also showing a very hard kick on midfield.

Katie Meegan: With blazing speed and a wicked shot, little Katie has all the tools to become a top notch player and she took great strides this season - scoring goals on the attack and making clears and runs up field from D. Super season.

Kaitlyn Krems: What can I say, 'mini-me' came into her own this season, leading the team in scoring and flashing nice moves, great quickness, and a sniper's touch with a super knack for scoring from the tough right angle to far post.

Great job by all the G-Bears!

U7 Age Group:

I want to thank all the coaches and all the parents for taking the time and effort to make this another successful season for GU7. The talent in the age group is unbelievable and we are all so proud of how far these girls have come. Super killer passes, laces shots, smart clears by the D and some fantastic goal tending are just some of what we are seeing. Their development is a testament to all the hard work that the Coaches: Phil Lugo, Eddie Mooney/Jim Petricca, Terence Aquino have put into it - and helped in large part by the extra training the NHP Soccer Club has provided this season. I want to personally thank Eric Lorandini and Premiere Soccer for providing the excellent training the GU7 age group received this season - the results speak for themselves.Coach Kevin Krems GU7 Division Director

Bonnet Division

U9 Girls

May 3

Championship Game

Kickin' Kittens v. Princesses

On a warm May day when the sunshine bathed Center Street's dusty fields and the sidelines were filled with anxious fans awaiting the Girls U9 championship game between our favorite feline soccer players, the Kickin' Kittens and last season's champion, the powerful Princesses, the teams did not disappoint their fans and thrilled them with an exciting and well played game. In a battle of two formidable defenses, the brilliance of Jackie Castaldi's game winning goal stood out as the play of the game. The Kittens had to come together and hold off the pressuring Princesses for a thrilling one to nothing win. Soccer fans were all at the edge of their beach chairs as the action was furious from the opening kick off until the final whistle when the ecstatic Kittens were able to celebrate their victory.

There were many outstanding performances for both teams. For the Kittens Bianca Gadze and Isabel Ryan set the tone defensively and neutralized the Princesses speedy offensive front line. Isabel and Bianca had outstanding seasons and proved to be dynamic defensive duo and dangerous offensive weapons. The Kittens were very fortunate to have two other talented players who stepped up and shared goaltending duties admirably. With Ashley Vicente and Skyler Woo the Kittens were confident their net was always well guarded. Both Ashley and Skyler also did a good job playing offense or defense when called upon. The addition of Gabrielle Berger, Sage Rosenthal and Amanda Zeitlin gave the Kittens a potent combination of determination, strength and hustle. This trio worked intensely and helped the Kittens control the midfield. Although Iris Fan is still new to the game she worked very hard, improved a great deal and proved to be a very tough competitor. Samantha Zebitsch demonstrated resolve and speed helping the Kittens pressure the Princesses' defensive end. Catherine "Kitty" Saketos saved her best season for last. Usually prowling along the wings, Kitty had one of the Kitten's best scoring opportunities with a timely shot from the right side that just missed its mark. As we know Jackie Castaldi did find the mark in the second half with and exceptional play. She exploded through the Princesses' left defensive line and finished like the great ones do with a powerful shot to the far post. The goal put an emphatic exclamation point to Jackie's great season. Ending her season with great flair too was Eva Chan. Throughout the season the Kittens were led by her inspired play. Her amazing foot skill and work ethic would often carry the Kittens against our most difficult opponents and the championship game was one of Eva's most outstanding performances. Eva did everything she needed to do in this match in order to secure the win for her team. Sarahelena Barrios also finished off her season with a strong performance. She proved she can handle the pressures of being the coach's daughter with class and confidence. Sarahelena's skill and hard work allows her to play well at any position on the field and her dad is sooo glad he is her coach. Congratulations to all the Kittens for their championship and to the Princesses and their Coaches Kevin and Bob for a terrific game! As we finish this chapter in our girls' soccer careers it is wonderful to see the growth of all of our kids from the beehive attack formation of Saturday mornings' Micro soccer to the skilled and confident competitors that they have become. Congratulations to all the girls and their parents who have put in many hours and hopefully are seeing how all their time and effort pays off. Thanks to all the coaches who made it fun and kept it in perspective and to the Wildcats Soccer Club board members and volunteers who often times do not get enough appreciation or all the good things they do. Thank you to all my parents for your help, understanding and generosity. Thanks to team parent Barbara for organizing ALL those little things and to Coach Collier for his knowledge and for keeping me calm. Oh, and one more thing, remember... keep on Kickin' Kittens. Fondly, Coach Juan.