The Downtown Soccer League kicked off its 2007 season last weekend, with several rousing matches.
Arsenal vs. Aston Villa
It was a bright, blue day in Lower Manhattan and the sound of whistles mixed with the clanging of construction cranes in Battery Park City. If a worker with a hard hat looked down, he would have seen the start of the season.
It was the first game for many of Arsenal and Aston’s 6- and 7-year-old players. It was a learning experience for all involved, but by the end, the kids knew a lot more about soccer than when they began. Davide Clarkson, Nicky Pomerantz, Bo Nordberg, Raphie Rosen and Julian Dimurro all scored for Arsenal, while Clay Cealy and Eric Prince held strong in goal.
Barcelona vs. Villareal
The match was a spirited mid-morning game between Villareal and Barcelona in the Major 10 division.
First-year coach Charlie Sewell had his Villareal team ready to go. Villa forwards Marcus Chan and Matt Epstein carried the attack to the Barcelona crease, but were turned aside on a by Barcelona back Hunter Wolf. Wolf fired the ball out Aidan Rogers, who connected with Bryan Gomez for the first shot of the game. However, Villa netminder Alec Tullock came up with the save.
Play was even for most of the half, but Barcelona seemed to gain momentum as the 90-degree heat took its toll. Chloe Lombardi and Eve Grassfield combined for several excellent give-and-go’s along the left side. Finally Rogers broke through for Barcelona, on a play that featured quick passes from both Anthony O’Donnell and Gomez.
The Chan twins, Isaac Ilyashov and Samantha Sewell, kept it interesting with several good rushes for Villareal, but fine defense by Vilde Stokke and Taylor White kept Villa at bay. When Villareal did penetrate the defense, goalie Michael Shorris was there to preserve the 1-0 shutout for Barcelona.
Noah Kaye of Aston Villa, left, fights for the ball with Davide Clarkson of Arsenal. Noah Levitt of Manchester United, right goes for the ball against Tyler Rose of Fulham. The match ended in a tie, 3–3.
Hearts vs. Hibernian
In the searing weather last weekend, Liz Lamere’s Hearts battled John Griffin’s Hibernian team in a Minor 9 division match-up. While parents and fans searched for shade, Hibernian’s offense put the heat on Douglass Stapler in the Hearts’ goal.
Nicky Leong was the first to shoot on goal, but Stapler had a nice save. But Leong was not to be denied, as he soon took a pass from Gabriel Colon and buried it for Hibernian’s first goal of the season. Jackson Kaufman made several good passes, and Lucy and Nick Winokur were tough on defense for the Hearts, helping to block a strong shot on goal by Hibernian’s Elias Griffin. Stapler wasn’t so lucky, however, when Jacob Roter blasted an unassisted goal towards the end of the first half.
Dante Vega Lamere in goal shut out the Hibernian team in the second half, assisted by fine defense by Carson Ferdinand and Elan Halpern. The Hearts’ Cameron Burger showed great footwork and a tenacious drive, but Lumia Nocito and David Olivo kept the ball from getting too close to Leong, who had jumped into goal for Hibernian. Simon Miles and Gabby Rutherford were successful in bringing the ball down, and Ben Karam did take a shot, which was blocked by Leong.
Eventually Stapler, who had moved to forward, completed a versatile day for the goalies by sailing the ball over Leong’s head to put the Hearts on the board. The Hearts could not find the equalizer, though, and the match ended with a 2-1 victory for Hibernian.
