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September 17, 2008 --
Massapequa Girls Soccer team wins U S Youth Region 1 Championship
For the first time since 1982, a girl's soccer team from Massapequa has won the US Youth Soccer Region I championship in the U12 age group. On Tues.,July 1, the Massapequa Stars took home the title defeating New Jersey's Howell Spirit 1-0.
The road to the Regional Championship started with the Stars winning the Eastern New York State Championship defeating last year's State Cup champs, the East Islip Red Dragons, 2-1. After that win, the Stars had to compete against other State Champions for the title of Regional Champs.
The Stars' first game of the Regionals was on Fri., June 27 in Portland Maine, where they beat the Pennsylvania East West Mont United Blue Devils, 2-1. Taylor Kugler, who plays forward for the Stars, scored both goals for Massapequa in that game.
On Sat., June 28, the Stars' defense kept Massapequa in the running for the Championship by stopping the Delaware Kirkwood SC Panther Premier from scoring and giving the Stars a 0-0 tie at the end of that game.
On Sun., June 29, the Stars needed to defeat their opponent, the Rhode Island Rays United Sting, to win their bracket and move on to the semi-finals. Erica Modena, who normally plays center midfield for the Stars, was moved up to forward and scored early in the game. With 12 minutes left to play and the score still 1-0, the skies opened up with rain, thunder and lightening and the game had to stop. Thanks to a save by the Stars' goalkeeper, Kara McKenna, and the determination of the defense, the Stars came away with the 1-0 win advancing them to the semi-finals.
The Stars played their semi-final game on Mon., June 30 at Bowdoin College against the Rhode Island Black Watch Premiere. Part of the way into the first half, Amanda Garrity, who plays left mid-field, scored for the Stars. After that, Black Watch pressed hard and almost tied the game during a scramble in the box, but Nicole Mahis made a save by blocking a shot right in front of the net and clearing it out. In the second half, with only minutes left to the game, Amanda Garrity scored again making the final score 2-0 and advancing the Stars to the finals.
The US Youth Soccer Region Championship game was played on Tues., July 1 at Bowdoin College against the New Jersey Howell Spirit. The two teams matched up well and at the end of the first half the score was 0-0. Then, about midway into the second half, Erica Modena scored her second goal of the tournament giving Massapequa the lead and ulltimately the victory with a final score of 1-0. Against five State Cup Champions, the Stars allowed only one goal.
At the award ceremony, Coach Mike Bernieri dedicated the win to the Stars' late coach, Angelo Modena, who passed away last year. He also credited all the girls for the win and spoke about how impressed he was by their hard work and dedication on and off the field. Coach/Trainer Gregg Satzinger, who has been training the girls since U10, is no stranger to the Regionals. He had made it to the Regional Finals before with an older boys' team, however, this is the first time his team brought home the gold. He also gave all the credit to the girls on their amazing win.
With the title Regional Champions now added to the Stars list of victories, they are now ranked number one in the State, number one in the Region and number four in the Nation in their age group.
Shown in the photo, left to right, top row, are Coach Mike Bernieri, Melissa Comis, Rosie Pimenthal, Kara McKenna, Nicole Mahin and trainer Greg Satzinger; middle row are Nicolette LaRosa, Taylor Kugler, Jamie Gordon, Erica Modena, Sarah Miraval and Amanda Garrity and bottom row are Megan Musachio, Shannon O'Connell, Taylor Sipos and Samantha Bernieri.
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