Elwood Sharks: Sharks News

The Elwood Sharks finished a great year, showing tremendous improvment in foot skills and game concept throughout.  More importantly, the boys and their families represented the Elwood Community well in winning the Spring 2010 LIJSL Sportsmanship Award.  Kyle, Elijah, Cameron, Jonathan C., Matthew C., Tyler H., Jonathan J., Connor, Jared, Adam, Peter, Tim, Tyler S. and Matthew W. played wonderfully together as a team.

Their journey took them from Stony Brook to Poughkeepsie to Manhattan's Pier 40 and back again.  Their travels saw some lows, and a lot of highs, all along keeping the spirit of the game and team.

The year started with training in late July as they began the process of integrating half of the new players.  Immediate success was upon them as they opened with the Sharks' first ever Tournament Championship in Stony Brook.  The rest of the year saw them play their way into 3 straight Penalty Kick Shootouts to decide Tournament Champions.  After losing out on the first two in Poughkeepsie and ISA, they earned the title in the Kings Park Winter Classic.  Their final tournament of the year was another 2nd place finish against top level competition. 

They fought hard through the fall and spring seasons.  They finished runner-up in the Spring, losing out on the final day of the season.  The cameraderie brought them through as they pulled each other to improve and play their best.  The great sportsmanship they showed throughout the year regardless of the outcome made their parents and coaches proud and was recognized by LIJSL with the Spring 2010 Sportsmanship Award. 

The Sharks played one of their best tournaments in tying for 2nd at the 2010 Commack Memorial Day Weekend Tournament on May 29 and 30.  Playing against three upper division teams, the Sharks showed their true mettle.

In a rousing opening game against the Division 2 East Islip Warriors, the Sharks came out on top 1-0 to kick the tournament off in style. They followed that with a convincing 3-1 victory over the Newfield Knights.  They returned Sunday afternoon to frustrate the players and parents alike on the Division 2 Dix Hills Xtreme, emerging with a scoreless deadlock. 

That set up a winner take all championship to complete the unbalanced round robin against the Division 1 HBC Mean Machine.  The Mean Machine scored the only goal of the game in then first half. Despite dominating the 2nd half, the Sharks came up short, ending the tournament tied for 2nd place.  With their tremendous effort, the Sharks earned the respect of their opponents and made their coaches and parents proud.

JJ anchored the strongest defense in the tournament that included Cameron at sweeper, Matthew W, Connor and Kyle on the outside and Jared at stopper.  Tyler H. fortified the troops in the back and on the midfield on Sunday.  Jon Jon captained the center of the midfield making sure nothing dangerous came down the middle.   Tim and Tyler S. flew up and down the field on the outside and were joined by Luke K. who returned to help the Sharks in the midfield and up front.  Adam completed the offense keeping the pressure on the opposing backs.   Congratulations to the Sharks on a wonderful end of year tournament.

On Thursday, February 18, 2010, the Elwood Sharks won the indoor Long Island Winter Classic sponsored by the Kings Park Soccer Club at KK Athletics in Brentwood.  The Sharks won in dramatic fashion in a shootout in the Championship game.  The defense was the star, conceding no goals the entire tournament.

In the group stage, the Sharks sandwiched 3-0 and 9-0 victories over the Smithtown Surge and Kings Park Lightning around a 0-0 tie with their eventual championship foes, the Franklin Square Fury.  With 12 goals for and 0 given up, they finished on top of the group.  JJ had shutouts in the first 2 games and Adam and Tyler H. shared a shutout in the largest win.  The goals were spread around as was the strong team defense.

In the Championship, JJ stonewalled the Franklin Square Fury with another shutout.  After a back and forth game that ended in a 0-0 tie, the Sharks faced yet another shootout for a tournament Championship.  This time, the Sharks emerged victorious behind 3 saves by JJ and the perfectly placed Tournament clinching PK by Matthew C.  After swapping 2 makes and 2 misses each, JJ set up the dramatic finish by Matthew C. with another diving stop. 

The perfect defense was led by JJ in goal and Matthew C., Kyle and Peter in the back.  Tyler H., Adam, Connor, Tim, Tyler S. and Jared helped keep the sheet clean while finishing off the goals necessary for victory.  The Sharks showed sharp passing and finishing in addition to their impenetrable defense in taking another Tournament Championship.

The Sharks earned 2nd place in the 2009 December Frost Tournament at International Soccer Academy in Smithtown, losing to the Academy in penalty kicks in the title game.  The opening 2-0 victory over Brentwood was key to their run to the Championship game.  They followed that with a strong effort in losing 1-0 against the Academy team on a goal from the outside in the opening minute.  In the penultimate game of the round robin, the Sharks had a stirring comeback to ensure their place in the final. 

Needing at least a tie to play for the Championship, the Sharks fell behind 2-0 to a very game Hauppauge team.  The 1st goal of the exhilirating comeback came with just 3:43 left on the clock.  That was followed up less than 2 minutes later with the tying goal.  The defense buckled down to assure the tie and secure their place in the Championship game against the always strong Academy team.

In the final, the Sharks would once again need to come from behind after the Academy scored the first goal.  They knotted the game at 1 and then held tight through regulation despite numerous scoring chances both ways.  Following a tense golden goal overtime, the Sharks earned a well deserved tie.  While the tie remains the official result of the game, the Championship needed a winner, so the shootout was required.

As always, defense defined the Sharks.  This was led by their goalie and Tournament MVP, JJ.  Matt C. and Kyle A. anchored the back forcing the other teams to try their luck from the outside while also starting the attack for the Sharks.  Tyler H. put pressure on the other teams' defense from both the midfield and fullback.  Tyler S. and Adam M. linked the back to the front and helped keep the middle of the field free of trouble.  Matt W. had a tremendous tournament starting in the back and then re-invigorating the offense when he shifted up to midfield.  Jared M. controlled the ball in the front helping the Sharks to many attempts at net.  Another great achievement for the Sharks in this late December indoor tournament. 

On a brisk October weekend, the Sharks went to Poughkeepsie and Hopewell Junction to compete in a couple of one day tournaments.  Along with spending the weekend with their friends and family just hanging out, they took 2nd place for the 2nd year in a row in heartbreaking fashion in the Beekman Cup. 

In their typical, well orchestrated team effort, the Sharks allowed only 1 goal in 9 games of 25 to 28 minutes each at the Town of Poughkeepsie Soccer Club Tournament and 2009 Beekman Cup.

On Saturday, Kyle, Cameron, Jon Jon, Matthew C., Tyler H., JJ, Connor, Jared, Peter, Tim, and Matthew W. battled teams from upstate New York and Connecticut to near perfection.  With 4 shutouts out of 5 games, they emerged with two 1 goal victories, two scoreless ties, and a narrow 1-0 defeat against AC Caldo Academy (CT), Poughkeepsie, Mahopac, Golden Touch Academy and Watertown (CT).   While disappointed in missing out on the trophies, they held their heads high as the only team to competitively play the Golden Touch Academy team in a scoreless tie.

After the 1st days' games, the boys and their families enjoyed a nice evening hanging out, eating, talking and running from room to room at their Fishkill hotel.  Sunday morning, they enjoyed a team breakfast, then headed out toward Beekman.  Before arriving at the fields to compete in their 2nd Beekman Cup, the Sharks family went to Barton Orchards.  The boys were joined by their siblings Adam, David and Courtney in a corn maze that showed each of them taking turns in the leadership role.  Following the corn maze, they went apple picking in the warm October sun.

After a busy morning, Jon Jon, Matthew C., Tyler H., JJ, Connor, Jared, Peter, Tim and Matthew W. were joined by Matthew W's brother Nicky as a substitute in a great team effort at the 2009 Beekman Cup.  As the weather turned chilly, the Sharks took the field against the East Fishkill team that knocked them off the top rung the previous year and emerged with a 1 goal victory.  With 4 shutouts against East Fishkill, Beekman, Somers and Carmel, the team had to wait around for the last round of games to determine their fate.  After yet another scoreless tie in a bracket full of them, the Sharks faced Beekman in a shootout for the Championship.  For the 2nd year in a row, a PK ended their championship hopes at Beekman.  Showing great sportsmanship, the Sharks congratulated the Wildcats and collected their 2nd place trophies as darkness fell on the tired soccer family.

The Elwood Sharks won their first tournament at the Long Island Soccer Shootout at Stony Brook Soccer Park on Saturday and Sunday, August 22 and 23, 2009.  After numerous close calls, the team earned their first tournament victory with a lot of hard work.  With wins over hosts Stony Brook, Lake Grove and Sound Beach and a scoreless tie on a regulation 11 v 11 size field (while playing 9 v 9) against Newfield, the Sharks secured their tournament victory by playing together as a cohesive unit.

As has become the hallmark of the Sharks, it all started in the back with an extremely strong defense.  JJ put together two and a half strong games in goal, including the save in the first 10 minutes of the first game against Stony Brook that proved to be the difference in winning the Championship.  Adam M. pitched in with his own shutout, and Kyle A. shared a shutout with JJ in the clinching game.

The back line was led by sweeper Elijah C. who kept the back clear as the final level of defense.  Kyle A. and Jared M. led the outside backs by stopping the onrushing offense while making many critical runs of their own.  Matthew C. marked the dangerous middle men while starting the attack with his great ball distribution that created great openings for his teammates.

The midfielders did a lot of running, especially when forced to cover the length of the regulation field in the Sunday morning game.  Timmy O. and Jon Jon were up to the task on the outsides with strong defense and numerous penetrating attacks from the outsides creating and executing on many scoring chances.  Tyler H. had the heavy task of patrolling the middle of the field.  He controlled the ball up the field, as well as tracked back to help keep the goal area clear of any dangerous chances.

Along with having a shutout in goal, Adam M. helped out all over the field.  He manned the outside midfield with his great footwork, put in time up front, and played a strong full back.

Connor M. gave the defense nightmares with his constant pressure up front and streaking runs on the ball.  Peter N. also created a lot of problems for the defense from the forward position, as well as helping out in the midfield and full back.

Cameron C. showed his versatility by handling the left back, left midfield, as well as stopper and central midfield as needed.  His strong defense and ball movement created the necessary openings for his teammates to succeed.

While the Long Island Soccer Shootout saw 6 of the 7 new Sharks joining the returning nucleus, the boys quickly put it together to show what great friends and teammates can do in short order.  Along with a great group of fans (parents, siblings – family), the coaches look forward to a great year.  The Sharks could not have started it out in any better fashion.

The Elwood Sharks capped a great year by capturing the LIJSL Spring 2009 Division Title on the last day of the season.  After earning the Silver Sportsmanship Chevron in the Fall 2008 Season, as well as multiple 2nd place tournament finishes and a Final 4 appearance in the Spring 2009 Waldbaum's Challenge, the Sharks won their 1st Championship with a total team effort.

It all starts in the back for the Sharks, rising to the top of the group by giving up the least goals of any team in their division.  With 4 shutouts, and only 1 game with more than 1 goal given up, the Sharks finished the season giving up less than a goal per game.  Defense is a result of everyone on the field working together.

The goalies were all magnificent.  Kyle A. (1 league shutout, 2 Waldbaum's shutouts), Nicholas T. (1 league shutout, stopping a PK), Matthew W. (2 league shutouts) and Jimmy M. (3 big victories) backstopped the league's best defense.

The fullbacks were led in the center by Matthew C.  His incomparable energy and ability to clean up the back made it near impossible for the other team to get shots off.  Jared M.'s calm footwork and toughness made life difficult for all the wings.  Nicholas T. and Kyle A. added strength to the back and kept the ball moving up to the forwards.  Until his broken leg, Elijah C. helped stabilize the back and prevented many attempts on goal.

The midfield effort linking the backs to the forwards was led by Tyler H.  His game breaking abilities led to many assists and goals, as well as thwarting many central attacks on the Sharks' goal.

Matthew W. and Jimmy M.'s energy in the midfield and forward helped lead to numerous opportunities and prevented the opposition from getting much of a chance at the defense.  Before he broke his arm, Joseph D. provided additional support and forward push for the Sharks' formidable offense.

In an invaluable utility role, Cameron C. returned to the team this spring doing whatever was necessary to make sure the Sharks kept moving forward.  He moved from back to midfield to forward without missing a beat.

Meanwhile, the front was fortified by Matthew T.'s great footwork, crosses and shots, and Luke K.'s tough and gritty work that enabled him to finish off many a play.

The parents provided great support to the boys all year long, creating a fun, positive atmosphere for them to play regardless of circumstance.

While all the boys played multiple positions, and the year saw almost every Shark have a goal, they all played their primary roles to the best of their ability.  They played as a team and reaped the rewards of all the hard work they have done over the year.  Most importantly, the Sharks and their parents exhibited the highest of sportsmanship and showed other towns what is so special about the Elwood Community.

Congratulations to the Sharks and their parents for being the Spring 2009 LIJSL U10 Division Champions!

On Saturday, March 7, 2009 the Elwood Sharks took a trip to Pier 40 in New York City to participate in the Downtown United Soccer Club Pre-Spring Tournament.  After an early week snow storm that dropped 10 inches on the area, the unseasonably warm late winter day was a welcome treat.  They arrived to bright sunshine and temperatures in the 60's.  The Sharks faced fierce competition in this tune-up for the upcoming Spring Season.  They played teams from Manhattan (Chelsea Piers), Nassau (NETSA), Brooklyn (Patriots SC) and Staten Island (Silver Lake).

The highlight of the day came during the "intermission" between the 2nd and 3rd games.  New York's Bravest treated the boys to lunch and a boat ride.  Matthew T.'s father and his team of firemen from the FDNY's Marine One cooked the boys lunch to fortify them for the afternoon games.  Before they went back to the pitch, the team joined the crew from the fire station currently located at Pier 40 on the Marine One Fire Boat for a trip to the Statue of Liberty.  The sites were unbelievable.  The Sharks and their parents are grateful for this very special trip.

Between the ultra-competitive soccer and their time with the firemen, the Elwood Sharks had a day that they will remember forever.

Not all 2nd place results are created equal.  The Sharks came out in what can only be described as a dominating performance.  The vast progression of the entire team's skills was an amazing thing to behold.  The foot work, confidence on the ball and passing that the Sharks have been working on were all on display.

To begin the ISA indoor tournament, the Sharks dribbled, passed and shot their way to a clean 4-0 decision over Commack.  In the second game, they faced a very strong Academy team that they stood toe to toe with until the deciding goal was scored late in the game.  The skill and precision of their ball work resulted in many beautiful plays including "around the horn" plays that brought them from one side of their goal, across the field and up for a dangerous attack on the goal.

As the morning wore on, they faced a more game Commack team again.  The final 3-3 tie was well earned.  In the final game of the day, a little weariness set in, and in a tough match-up, the Sharks fell to the Academy team. 

The scoring was spread around with assists coming from all over the field.  Matthew T.'s skillful work with the ball dominated the left side while Kyle A. and Luke K.'s constant pressure created many scoring chances.  Jimmy M.'s fast feet, Tyler H.'s quick touch and Joseph D.'s calm on the ball pushed the Sharks forward. 

Matthew W.'s 2-way play helped thwart many attacks and put the Sharks in transition.  Nicholas T. made life difficult on the opponent and created openings for his teammates with his deft touch on the ball.   

While the entire team contributed to the strong defense, the ability to play the ball from the back was anchored by Elijah C., Matthew C. and Jared M. 

All in all, the 2nd place finish was a great display of team work and skill that showed the improvement in all the boys from the Fall Season (let alone the Summer).  The hard work and dedication have the Sharks set on a great upward progression. 

Playing in their first 8 v 8 games, the Elwood Sharks adjusted well at the 2008 Beekman Cup in Hopewell Junction, New York.  They took 2nd place Columbus Day Weekend after a hard fought Championship Game in a rematch with the East Fishkill Raptors.  After quickly tying the game from the kick off, a penalty kick decided the game.

Earlier in the day, the team faced an uphill battle.  Due to injury, they were without their teammates Matthew T. and Joseph D.  The Magnificient 7 played a man down from the start in the first game and came out victorious by a 2-0 score over the Beekman Revolution.  After being joined by Bobcats Adam M. and Christian C. who had finished a tournament with their own team in the morning, the Sharks followed that up with a scoreless tie against the East Fishkill Raptors.  For their third shutout in the three group games, they defeated the Chappaqua Cheetahs 3-0 to finish top of the group and earn a berth in the Championship Game.

Elijah C. played a strong defensive tournament with solid play and feeds from the back.  Matthew C. commandeered the field with his nifty footwork.  Tyler H. played strongly all over the field, starting at midfield before helping in the back and ending with some strong work on the front line creating many chances.  Luke K. led the offense with attacks on the goal from the wing and midfield.  Jimmy M. showed his aggressiveness out on the wing consistently challenging the defense and creating openings for his teammates.

Jared M. did his best Beckenbauer imitation making strong runs from the back and thwarting many enemy attacks.  Nicholas T. had a shutout in game 1 followed by strong midfield play and then anchoring the backfield by controlling the ball and finding his teammates.

Adam M. had 2 shut outs to help lead the charge into the Championship Game while Christian C. provided much needed breathing time for the team and solid play.

The fans were tremedous making the trek up to the beautiful fall setting.  They were great in their support and encouragement for the boys.

Above all, the Sharks showed amazing heart in playing 98 to 100 of the 100 minutes.  With little to no rest, they allowed only 1 goal from the flow of play and led all teams with 6 balls in the back of the net.  It was a great team effort in every sense of the phrase.

While fans and coaches believe they deserved more, the Sharks can hold their heads up high at another well played tournament.

The Elwood Sharks will be going to the 2008 Beekman Cup in Hopewell Junction, New York for Columbus Day Weekend.  The team looks forward to the challenge of playing new teams for this Fall Classic.

The preliminary schedule has them facing teams from Chappaqua, East Fishkill and Beekman.  The Sharks look forward to a fun day of soccer, team work and hanging out in what promises to be a beautiful fall setting.

The Sharks took 2nd place in the 2008 East End Soccer Tournament.  Everyone contributed with a great effort.  The pre-season tournament that saw them playing together for the first time showed that great things are still to come.  Coming together as a team, the Sharks helped each other be their best. 

A long day finished with a tremendous "Championship" Game that ended in a deadlock.  With 2 wins and 2 ties in group play, the Sharks went undefeated in a tournament for the first time.

Thanks to our fans for supporting us! 

The Sharks put forth a great effort in the 2007 Northport/Cow Harbor United Columbus Day Weekend Tournament.  With 3 wins and 1 loss, the Sharks earned a well deserved 2nd place in the top U9 flight.  Each Shark had at least 1 assist or goal, and contributed to the strong defense displayed throughout the weekend.  The goalies were great, including 1 shutout.  Congratulations!

The strong team play and fun the Sharks had was a joy to watch.  They continue to grow and show their skill and sportsmanship. 

The Shark Bites (our fans) were wonderful in their support (and getting us to and from the games).  Thank you!