FC Dutchmen first Capital District Soccer League team to win Eastern New York Under-23 Championship

FC Dutchmen became the boys of summer for 2015 as they won the Eastern District Soccer League (EDSL) Men’s-Under-23 title. The new champs did not give up a goal in the Final Four played at Stringham Park in LaGrange last Sunday, August 2.

These games for state supremacy pitted the top teams from the Capital District Soccer League (CDSL), the Greater Hudson Valley Soccer League (GHVSL) and Long Island Soccer Football League (LISFL). Most of the rosters grew up playing in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA).

“This league comes together only through great cooperation between Eastern New York’s adult and youth associations,” commented EDSL President Peter Pinori.

In the semifinals, Ty Aderou scored in the 10th minute while Rafik Mehhoudi and Mike Fanelli added second half goals as the FC Dutchmen of the CDSL cruised to a 3-0 win over the GHVSL’s East Fishkill. In the other semi, Port Jefferson of the LISFL defeated the GHVSL’s second representative in the Final Four, LaGrange 2-0.

As the Rosedale Super Eagles won last summer’s championship, LISFL fans were hoping that Port Jefferson would keep the title in their historic league, which was founded in 1948. But coach Joe Duffy and his very impressive FC Dutchmen team had other ideas. Way Ayger scored in the 22nd minute and Connor Rubin added an insurance goal just before the final whistle to bring the championship trophy to Albany County for the first time in the seven-year history of the summer competition.

“Our league gives players home from or entering college the opportunity to keep in shape during the summer,” GHVSL President Jim Eleftherion said. “All in all, it was the perfect soccer day.”