By Ashley Winchester
“Any coach will know what I mean when I say what a difference a week can make,” Downtown Soccer League’s coach of Leeds, Cliff Benfield, said.
Nikolas Karem of Juventus
After battling the hurricane last week, seven year-old division Manchester United played its first full game Saturday against Leeds. Goalie John Barbieri kept Manchester in the game in the first half, helped by defensive players Dean Scotti, Max Spearling and Nicolette Catona. Leeds forwards Cliff Benfield, Bryan Burns, Jackson Collins, Ethan Feldman, Marina Ouranitsas, Isabella Pecorari, Lee Perry and striker Louis Moreschi all contributed to the scoring effort. Sweeper Violet Low-Beinart and fullback Tristan Myers worked together with goalies Bryan Burns, Lee Perry and Ethan Skelskie to form an impenetrable defense against Manchester.
Last weekend’s rain postponed the opening day ceremonies on the new fields of Battery Park City to Saturday. Councilmember Alan Gerson, Tim Carey, Battery Park City Authority president, and Madelyn Wils, chairperson of Community Board 1, each wished the players a good season on the new fields.
Sevilla and Madrid
In the 10 year-old division, Sevilla and Real Madrid players matched each other goal-for-goal with a 2 – 2 tie game Sunday. Goalie Nikita Rozhdestven held the Sevilla defense in the first half, letting in just one goal by Madrid’s Justin Basso, with an assist by Max Sternberg. Rozhdestven scored a game-tying goal after he moved from goal to offense early in the second half. Parents paced the sidelines throughout the match, following the dominant Madrid offense led by a goal by birthday-boy Sam Levine. Miranda Watson stole a number of passes from Sevilla players twice her size, while Reuben Sinder stopped several point blank shots on goal for Madrid. With eight minutes left in the game, Sevilla’s Daniel Anglin, repositioned from defense to midfield, sprinted down the field to score the game-tying goal with assists by Brett Russell and Diego Orellana.
AC Milan’s Callum Shaw
Bordeaux and Lyon
Bordeaux and Lyon played another close game in the 11-year-old division. Lyon’s offensive attack was led by Victor Smith, Ray Perez, Lila Low-Beinart and Victoria Smith, all of whom took shots on goal. Lyon midfielders Matt Hickey, Alex Lois, Ian Tullis and Sasha de Graeve supported the offense and kept up the pressure in both directions. The Nell Potter, Emilia Petrarca and Francesca Taylor trio showed their girl power once again in a nearly unstoppable defensive effort for Bordeaux. Rashid Oord, Jukie Tsai, Maya Ilyashov and Alex Wedmore defended against Bordeaux’s consistent offensive teamwork of Sam Gilberg and Emma Munger. Lyon goalies Sam Fishman and Andrew Chow combined efforts throughout the game, stopping many shot attempts. The lone goal came in the first half, ricocheting off a Bordeaux defender from a scoring attempt by Victoria Smith, who was awarded Lyon’s weekly “game ball”, signed by all players and coaches.
Thanks to the coaches who contributed to this article. Soccer information should be e-mailed to news@DowntownExpress.com.
