Massapequa Mavericks take the Eastern New York U-16 Boys State Open Cup title

(ENYYSA / Randy Vogt) – Livio D’Arpino was an Eastern New York Hall of Famer who was seemingly involved in every level of local soccer before his untimely passing in 2002. He was the third vice president of the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) and the first vice president of the Eastern New York Adult Soccer Association. Livio also was President of the Italian-American Soccer League, of which he was voted a Life Member. With this lifetime of volunteering, Eastern New York decided to name its Boys-Under-16 State Open Cup after him.

As a Long Island resident, it was appropriate that the first Livio D’Arpino Cup final featured two Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) teams, the Massapequa Mavericks and Smithtown Galaxy, who played under cloudy skies on May 31 in LaGrange. Massapequa left no doubt that they are the best team in Eastern New York with an emphatic 4-0 victory. Matt Vowinkel scored two goals, Tim Davis added one and Nicholas Scibetta scored on a penalty kick.

“We took our chances pretty well and started the game bright,” commented Massapequa coach Shawn Foster.

In congratulating Massapequa, Smithtown coach Mike LaCarrubba thanked the state association. “We love playing in the State Cup, so thank you, Eastern New York.”

Massapequa also received the Howard Rubinstein Sportsmanship Award and a $2,000 check from Eastern New York to defray their costs during the National Championship Series. They will be playing in the Regionals from June 26 to 30 in Barboursville, West Virginia.