Smithtown Hotspur win the U-15 Girls Eastern New York State Open Cup in overtime

(Randy Vogt / ENYYSA) – The Girls-Under-15 State Open Cup championship game on May 30 in LaGrange was a lengthy affair where one overtime goal made the difference. Smithtown Hotspur outlasted the South Merrick Lady Cyclones, 2-1, for supremacy in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) and received the new Jack Bauman Cup, going to the top Girls-Under-15 team in the state. It’s appropriate that this game featured two Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) teams as Mr. Bauman is considered the father of Long Island women’s soccer since he made sure that girls had as many opportunities to play soccer as boys did on the island.

“We were fortunate enough to have a majority of the chances,” Smithtown coach J.R. Balzarini stated. “South Merrick gave us everything they had. They are very well-organized.”

Jenna Blank scored in regulation and Amanda Andriano netted the winner in the second overtime.

Smithtown received 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.