Staten Island United Hibs win Eastern New York U-14 Boys State Cup

(Via ENYYSA) – Staten Island United Hibs of the Staten Island Youth Soccer League (SIYSL) gets its name because coach George MacDonald has a friend, Scott Martin, who plays for Scottish Premier League side Hibernian.

“But we try and play with the control and composure of Arsenal and the heart of Glasgow Rangers,” explained Coach MacDonald.

Yet it was their goalkeeper, Joe Lieberman, who particularly stood out in their Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) Boys-Under-14 State Open Cup final game vs. Mastic Atletico Boys 00-01 of the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) on June 4 at Stringham Park in LaGrange. Regulation and overtime ended scoreless as Lieberman made a few key saves in extra time, then he saved two penalty kicks in the shootout to win the Rocco Amoroso Cup.

The namesake of the award, who died on May 5, was inducted into the Halls of Fame of the LIJSL and Eastern New York plus was honored as a Life Member by U.S. Soccer. Amoroso started the LIJSL Sportsmanship Program in 1980, it has since been copied around the world and he spoke about the benefits of Fair Play across the United States.

Blaze Bono, Frankie Falco and Howie Morales scored their penalty kicks as Staten Island United won the title, 3-1, in the shootout.

“I would like to thank the LaGrange Soccer Club for hosting us today and Eastern New York for all they do for local soccer,” added Coach MacDonald.

Staten Island United will be playing for the Regional championship from June 30 to July 5 in Barboursville, West Virginia and Eastern New York will help pay for their costs.

You can view a video of the State Open Cup finals at https://youtu.be/1QEehob3NJU