Plainview, NY (August 12, 2010) – The Long Island Rough Riders will be sending three teams to the Super Y-League North American Finals this November in Tampa, Florida. The teams who qualified are the Girls Under-14, Girls Under-15 and Boys Under-14 Junior Rough Riders.
Every year the Rough Riders field Under-13 through Under-16 teams to participate in the Super Y-League, the youth component of the United Soccer Leagues.
Junior Rough Riders Teams participate in the Mid-Atlantic Division of the Northeast Conference of the Super Y-League. SYL Divisions consist of approximately seventeen teams. The season schedule is comprised of twelve to eighteen matches, depending upon division and age group. The season begins no earlier than April 1st and officially ends in August.
Similar to their men’s and women’s counterpart, the Junior Rough Riders teams strive to win a North American Championship each year currently held in Tampa, Florida. An important and unique aspect of the Super Y-League is its structure. The SYL program is used as a regular soccer season or league, much like a professional league, and not as an outlet for teams to solely participate in select tournaments.
Boys Under-14
The Junior Rough Riders Boys Under-14 squad will be making a return appearance to the National Tournament. In 2009, this groups first year participating in the Super Y-League, they had an impressive run to the tournament. Unfortunately, they fell short, and were unable to leave Tampa with a championship.
“We are excited at the prospect of contending for another North American Championship,” said Boys Under-14 Coach Giovanni DiStefano.” We clinched the final spot by winning our last five games; beating two teams who we lost to earlier in the season and only conceding two goals.”
This group, coached by Giovanni DiStefano, was highly motivated to return to Tampa in 2010. They finished third in their division with 30 points, while posting a 9-4-3 record.
Girls Under-14
The Junior Rough Riders Girls Under-14, coached by Eileen Martin, will be making their first trip to the Super Y-League National Tournament this fall. The team fell short in 2009, but worked hard throughout this past winter, and the results were evident.
“I am very proud of how my girls performed this season; they are truly deserving of this honor,” said Head Coach Eileen Martin. “We will continue to train hard in preparation for the tournament this fall.”
The Girls had an impressive 8-1-7 record, finishing second in the Mid Atlantic Division with 31 points, while posting a +12 G/D.
Girls Under-15
Led by Former Rough Riders Goalkeeper Meghan Frey, the Girls Under-15 will be making their second trip to the Nationals in three years. They previously qualified for the tournament in 2008 as U13’s.
The U15’s were also second in their division with an 8-3-3 record, 27 points, and a +17 G/D.
About the Super Y-League North American Finals
The Super Y-League North American Finals, regarded as one of the top youth soccer events in North America, is a five-day tournament that includes more than 130 of the best U-13 to U-17 boys and girls soccer teams in the U.S. and Canada. Teams qualify from their respective regions and face the best from throughout North America in a quest to become league champions. This year’s event will include more than 5,000 players, parents and spectators. The 2009 edition featured teams from British Columbia to Miami, as well as squads representing some of the top professional clubs in the nation such as Major League Soccer’s Chicago Fire and the Washington Freedom of the WPS.
For more information on the Super Y-League please visit supery.uslsoccer.com.
Article by Brian Patak
