FC Steel: State of the Steel IV (Sponsored)

Est. Read Time: 6 mins

The 2009 FC Steel Girls Black team.

FC Steel, a youth soccer organization that is headquartered in Saucon Valley, had most of their programs in action over the weekend in league play. Both FC Steel boys’ and girls’ teams are participating in the prestigious Eastern Development Program (EDP) this year. The EDP league is an ultra-competitive travel soccer league that arranges for high-level teams to compete against one another on a routine basis. The EDP league is a regional league meaning teams can expect to play other quality teams that are located in Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware.

Here is the current state of FC Steel……

FC Steel Girls’

’04 Girls

fell 3-0 to Valley Voodoo
Coach: Ray Canevari

The 04 girls traveled to Upper Perkiomen for a Saturday encounter with Valley Vodoo. Playing only their second game together, FC Steel showed much improvement from the previous week despite falling 3-0. Kim Castillo, Ella Kocher, Emilia Blechschmidt, Sarah Yeakel, Katie Browning, and Kaitlyn Dill were all credited with outstanding play.

’05 Girls

draw 2-2 with Holmdel
Coach: Ray Canevari

The 05 girls traveled to Holmdel, New Jersey Saturday for an afternoon affair against the New Jersey Reign. The ladies of Steel jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead within the first 12 minutes of play as Aminah Barawa threaded a perfect pass that Madison Woodward finished to open the scoring. Jocelyn Smith added another goal a short time later. Despite, FC Steel’s pressure on the Reign goalkeeper, New Jersey was able to put away two goals in the second half to earn the draw. However, Steel remains in first place after the first three weeks of the season!

’06 Girls

fell 3-0 to Penn Fusion
Coaches: Ray Canevari and Joe Petraglia

The 06 girls played a hard-fought game against Penn Fusion Sunday morning. Despite being on the short end of a 3-0 score, FC Steel played toe-to-toe with Fusion. The score wasn’t reflective of the battle on the field and defenders Karoun Goudsouian, Katie Brensinger, Lindsay Reimer, and Juliana Lamour were rock solid along the back line with the help of holding midfielder Brooke Petraglia.

The 2009 FC Steel girls and their coaches.

’09 Girls

4-0 WINNER over LVU
Coaches: Anders Isaksson and Cora Snyder

Saturday was a great day to play soccer. The 09 Girls played against LVU. The first half of the game ended scoreless, 0-0. However, the majority of the time was spent with FC Steel on the offensive. Four minutes into the second half Charlotte Patterson got things going with an awesome shot on goal that hit the post and Sophia Isaksson was there for the follow up for the first goal of the game. A few minutes later Charlotte had a corner kick to Kayla Snyder who passed back to Charlotte. Charlotte crossed the ball into the box where she found Sophia Shutkufski who buried the ball in the back of the net for the second goal. With about fifteen minutes remaining Snyder made a run with the ball and hit a beautiful shot on goal to put FC Steel ahead 3-0. LVU had several opportunities to score but Steel goalkeeper, Olivia Haberl denied every opportunity. With a few minutes left in the game Ella Daly planted a corner kick to Sophia Shutkufski for the final goal. FC Steel dominated LVU in the 2nd Half to earn a 4-0 victory.

FC Steel Boys’

Abel Veltri of FC Steel earns another quality chance.

’06 Orange

4-2 WINNER over Cedar Stars
Coaches: Scott Cullen and Brandon Chambers

The FC Steel 06 Boys Orange team travelled to Palisades Park, New Jersey and defeated the Cedar Stars Academy by a score of 4-2 on Saturday. Cedar scored first, but Steel returned the favor when Mauricio Vasquez found the back of the net. Tanner Riefenstahl kept FC Steel’s momentum rolling when he snuck one under the crossbar to make it 2-1 just before halftime. About halfway through the second half Logan Thrash put a powerful shot on frame that the Cedar keeper deflected away. However, Michael Deluhery cleaned up the loose ball and promptly deposited it to make it 3-1. Josh Lee made it 4-1 when he flashed his ball skills and speed to convert a breakaway into a goal. Cedar added a late goal, but it was too little too late. FC Steel returned home a 4-2 winner.

Luke Blenis pushes the ball upfield for FC Steel.

’06 Black

3-3 draw with Perth-Amboy
Coaches: Brandon Chambers and Scott Cullen

Black got off to a sluggish Sunday afternoon start at Penn State Lehigh Valley as they dug themselves an early three-goal deficit. However, in dramatic fashion Kai Mattern finally got Steel on the scoreboard in the last minute of the 1st Half. Abel Veltri used his incredible speed and solid foot skills for a couple of second half goals to knot the score 3-3. The Steelers pressured and attacked, but couldn’t secure the game winner. FC Steel fought back to a 3-3 draw with Perth-Amboy.

FC Steel’s Kai Mattern beats the goalie to the ball for a score.

’07 Orange

4-2 WINNER over Meraki FC of New Jersey
Coaches: Brandon Chambers and Scott Cullen

After starting the season with two losses the FC Steel 07 Boys Orange team came away with their first win of the season against a strong Meraki FC boys 07 program from New Jersey. Meraki started fast and scored the first goal of the game. Not to be outdone, Steel tied things up when Jayden Olivencia crossed it into the middle of the field where Reed Felker connected and found the back of the net. Meraki continued to play strong and scored again to take the lead but not for long. Josh Hudak had a break away and beat the Meraki defense and was able to score to even the score again. The second half was strong for the Steelers as they came away with two more scores. Steel received a second goal from Josh Hudak with an assist from Reed Felker and an insurance goal from Jayden Vasquez. FC Steel goalkeeper, Joey Varano and the defense were able to shut down the Meraki offense in the second half to win 4-2.

’07 Black

lost 4-3
Coaches: Scott Cullen and Brandon Chambers

’08 Boys

2-2 draw with Jersey Knights Soccer Club
Coach: Scott Cullen

The FC Steel 2008 Boys continued EDP league play with a match against the Arrows from the Jersey Knights Soccer Club. The Arrows brought an undefeated 2-0 record into Bethlehem on Sunday to face the Steel, who were 1-1 on the season. The Steel started strong and had a 2-0 lead after only ten minutes of play with Stepan Goudsouzian and Hayden Sampson each contributing a goal. Just prior to halftime, the Arrows scored to cut the deficit to 2-1. An all around effort by the Steel, led by strong play from Lorenzo LoPiccolo and Cody Reimer, helped keep the Arrows off the board until the 59th minute when an Arrow goal evened the score and managed to salvage a tie at 2-2. The Steel look to resume their winning ways and take their 1-1-1 record on the road to Yardley next week for a non-League contest against the Yardley-Makefield Fury.

’09 Boys