Mamaroneck Panthers Undefeated at Score Showcase

by Scott Leishman

(August 14, 2008) Over the course of a 4-day, 7-game tournament in 100 degree heat, the Mamaroneck Panthers won all 7 games and were the champions of their 48-team division. The Panthers are a U17 team composed of girls from Mamaroneck, Larchmont, Rye, Rye Neck, Mahopac, Armonk, Millwood, Eastchester, Schenectady, Brooklyn, Rhinebeck and Somers. The Score Showcase is one of the top tournaments in the country, attracting over 160 women’s college coaches. The Panthers are coached by Michael Callisto and Dennis Solazzo, assistant coach.

First Hurdles

The Panthers first had to get through their 4-team bracket to get to the playoff finals. They did so by beating Beach FC Piranhas, ranked 12th in Virginia, 1-0 on a goal by Rosina Callisto. The Panthers then beat 90 NMSC Red G 1-0, ranked 8th in North Carolina, on a goal by Susan Valencia. The third game was also a 1-0 win, over Brams United OYSL Storm from Canada, a team the Panthers tied in a tournament in March. Rosina Callisto got the goal in that game. These wins earned the Panthers a 7th seed in the Sweet 16 final round of the tournament. One loss and they would go home.

The Panthers. Seated (l-r): Jessica Wright, Sandita McDermott, Phoebe Hanley; Kneeling: Susan Valencia, Rosina Callisto, Alex Rimmer, Stephanie Velez, Lauren Cihanek, Jodi Rosenzweig, Alanna Kohler; Standing: Dennis Solazzo, Rachel Wesley, Giovanna Velardo, Ashley Manning, Cara Rooney, Gabriella Santorio, Elena Solazzo, Michelle Wesley, Lily Honor, Sarah Leishman, Michael Callisto. Not shown: Katie Bakas.

The finals started Monday morning where the Panthers faced the Burlington Explosion, from Canada and prevailed 1-0 on a goal from Stephanie Velez. That afternoon they beat Top Hat 09 Gold 3-0 with 3 goals by Velez. Top Hat is rated #1 in Georgia and was a finalist in that state cup tournament this year.

On to the Semi-Finals

The semifinals were Tuesday morning, against the Vista Hotshots from Virginia. The Hot Shots are a U18 team ranked 2nd in Virginia and 19th nationally. The game was tied 1-1 after regulation play (goal by Stephanie Velez) and went to penalty kicks. Panthers Rosina Callisto, Stephanie Velez, Lily Honor, Gabrielle Santorio and Giovanna Velardo each converted their penalty shots. Panther goalie Sandita McDermott deflected an opponent’s shot to give the Panthers the victory by the slimmest of margins.

... And the Finals

In the finals, the Panthers faced Arsenal World Class Hawks from northern NJ, rated #2 in NJ and #8 nationally. In the first half, Rosina Callisto gave Panthers the lead with a beautiful shot from 35 yards out that found the back of the net. The Hawks pressed hard throughout the game, and had 6 or 7 corner kicks towards the end of the game. As they had throughout the tournament, the Panthers defense held, not allowing a goal and giving the Panthers the tournament win.

Michael Callisto, the Panther’s coach, said “This was truly a team effort. Everyone really chipped in.” He credited the win to a strong and long bench that allowed the team to substitute often, stay fresh through the 7 games in 100 degree heat and keep a high quality team on the field at all times. All games were 70 minutes long.

All ratings by GotSoccer.com

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