Mustangs of Tarrytown Make Transition To Club Soccer

The Mustangs spent 9 days in July at the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) National Games in California, where the under age 12 girls performed better than any previous Tarrytown team despite playing in a new elite “extra” division against girls one year older than themselves. The girls then spent the rest of the summer practicing twice a week and picked up the pace to three times a week starting in September. Then Tarrytown AYSO pulled its teams out of a flailing EXTRA travel program and formed the new Sleepy Hollow Football Club with which the Mustangs became a founding member. The Mustangs then entered the Westchester Youth Soccer League playing as a club team for the Sleepy Hollow Football Club and Rivertowns United. Rivertowns recommends that new teams play in either division 4,5,or 6, but the Mustangs successfully lobbied to start in the more competitive division 3. The Mustangs had to replace talented Samantha Nutig who was selected to play for an all Westchester Country Premier team as well as expand their roster for the new club format that plays with 11 girls on the field instead of 9. The Mustangs were fortunate to add Britany Alban, Lily Rodriguez, and Isabella Chambers after tryouts late last spring.

The Mustangs played their inaugural club game at Tibbetts Park in Yonkers defeating the Yonkers United Rush Condors 5-1. The Mustangs had a slow start, down 1-0, until newcomer Britany Alban fed the ball to Maya Weitzen to tie the game. Britany wasn’t done as she next fed the ball to Talia Fante for the second score. Julia Costa scored next on a penalty kick followed by Talia’s second goal, which she stole from the goalie who bobbled the ball. Maddy Navin finished the scoring by bouncing the ball off of a Yonkers player into the goal on a corner kick.

The next week the Mustangs took on the undefeated Rye Freedoms at their new home field Washington Irving. Many of the girls hope to one-day play there for the High School Varsity team. By then the field will be converted to turf. The girls gave Rye their first loss 4-0. Julia Costa scored first followed by Maya Weitzen who was assisted by Talia Fante. Talia then scored one herself after an assist by Julia Costa. Sophie Sylves-Berry finished scoring with an assist by Caroline Grimes. Carolina Lopez and Catherine Grimes played perfect at keeper and defensive captain Maddy Navin, with Annie Dineen and Sadie Swenson, earned the shutout. The defense has developed so well that coach John Sutherland has been able to play with one less player back, which has allowed more offensive pressure.

Last Sunday the Mustangs took on the 3rd place undefeated Edgemont Fire. The Mustangs easily handled the physically larger Fire 2-0 controlling the game and keeping pressure throughout. The Mustangs took several shots on goal and missed many opportunities that made the game look closer than it was. Talia Fante scored first off an assist by Emma Clarke. Julia Costa then finished scoring with a decisive penalty kick. Catherine Grimes played an excellent game at keeper, successfully defending a penalty shot, as well as defending a breakaway opportunity by decisively leaving the goal and attacking the Edgemont forward. New comers Lily Rodriguez and Isabella Chambers played well at forward pressuring the opposing keeper. Britany Alban Controlled the middle while Samantha Livingston, Caroline Grimes, and Sophie-Sylves Berry controlled the wings. Maddy Navin, Annie Dineen, and Sadie Swenson, again earned the shutout.

The Mustangs now find themselves 3-0-0 tied for first out of 10 teams with the North Salem Sparks. The Mustangs next play at Jarvis Bowl Field against the winless Eastchester Fusion at 1:00 pm on artificial turf. The Mustangs fill out their remaining fall schedule against Briarcliff, Rockland, Westside Manhattan, North Salem, and Mt Pleasant. Talia Fante leads scoring with 4 goals and Britany Alban leads assists with 2.