Downtowners kickoff soccer season

The Downtown Soccer league kicked off its 13th season this weekend at the Battery Park City fields. Over 750 Downtown youths competed in the opening weekend of play, according to league president, Don Schuck. The “weekend went great,” he said.

AS Roma vs. Juventus

AS Roma faced off against Juventus in the Minor 8 division Saturday. Play was spirited throughout as both teams’ defenses came out in near midseason form. The two teams moved the ball vigorously up and down the field. Roma striker Aidan “Flash” Rogers set the pace throughout the game with a number of long forays eluding defenders for shots. Juventus’ high-stepping Leah Anthony also thrilled the crowd with several strong moves, but she could not make her way past Roma defenders Michael Shorris and Anthony O’Donnell.

The 0-0 stalemate was broken midway through the second half as Roma strikers Laila Fadel and Owen “Little Dog” O’Keefe assisted on a goal by speedster Bryan Gomez from the right side. Juventus’ Michael Banks put pressure on goal numerous times, but was turned back by Roma’s tenacious defenders Eve Grassfield, Elaine “Rocketgirl” Farah and India Cohen.

Despite the loss, Juventus goalie Taidgh Barron received unanimous praise in turning away more than a dozen attempts on goal. Roma sweeper Chloe Lombardi and Juventus’ Noa Buchalter were also singled out for their outstanding play.

In a Senior 12-13 match-up between Dallas Burn and Chicago Fire, players also hit the field in midseason form despite little practice. Great goalkeeping by Burn’s Will Rogers and Christiana Hu and Fire’s Gabby Eisenberg and Reuben Sinder kept the score tied 1-1 until the final 5 minutes of the game when Miles Schuck placed a ball in the upper right side of the goal to give Fire the edge they needed to win the game.

Downtown Soccer League coaches should e-mail game highlights to news@DowntownExpress.com Monday mornings.

Compiled by Caitlin Eichelberger

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