Two FC Westchester teams -- the U12 ’97 Boys and the U13 ’96 Boys -- have captured US Youth Soccer Eastern New York Championship Cup titles, with the ’97s topping the Manhattan Kickers in a penalty shootout and the ’96s beating HBC of Long Island 3-2.

The ’97 Boys, coached by Ricardo Lyon, brought home the cup title after an incredibly exciting penalty kick shootout that went 14 rounds.  The contest went to PKs after regulation and two overtime periods ended in a 1-1 tie, with FCW’s goal coming on a great finish by Stephen Elias. 

The ’96 Boys, coached by James Quiroga, took the state title with a come from behind victory.  The ’96s fell behind 1-0 after three minutes of the first half and then battled through to halftime with the score remaining 1-0.  But three minutes into the second half, FC Westchester evened the contest on a penalty kick by Jorge Porras, who had been taken down in the penalty box.  After HBC scored again about 10 minutes later to take the lead again, FCW came back again, this time with Jeffrey Antoine being pushed in the box as he went up for a header, then putting home the ensuing penalty kick.  Then, with 10 minutes to go in regulation, Porras volleyed a ball from about 14 yards out that was redirected into the goal by Adam Findlay.

Both the ’96s and ’97s both now move onto the US Youth Soccer Region 1 Championships, which will be held in West Virginia July 2-7.

The third team in the state finals, the U15 ’94 Boys, lost to Massapequa 4-1.

The '97s and '96s together after they both won state cups