From Underdogs to Unstoppable: Hauppauge United Crowned Long Island Cup Champions!

The atmosphere was electric, the stakes were high, and the girls of Hauppauge United rose to the challenge with heart, hustle, and unstoppable determination in the Long Island Cup Finals—a high-energy showdown that ended in triumph for this talented team.

From the first whistle, United brought the heat. Relentless in their attack and organized in their defense, they applied pressure from all sides of the field. A key change in formation early in the match proved to be a turning point, allowing Hauppauge to gain the upper hand and control the tempo of the game.

In the back line, the dynamic duo of Ashley Leinz and Kika McDermott anchored the defense with confidence. Together, they cut off offensive angles, made smart tackles, and cleared the ball effectively, refusing to let the opposing team find their rhythm. One of those powerful clearances set the stage for the first game-changing moment.

The ball found its way to Alexa Perlstadt with less than 40 seconds left in the game, who took off up the field with speed and skill. She juked past the defenders with a brilliant move and launched a rocket of a shot that slammed into the back of the net. The crowd erupted and the team rode a wave of adrenaline and excitement.

Offensively, Hauppauge United was a force. Daniella Pinzon, Edith Arevalo-Flores, Emma Pinelli, Kaitlyn Asseng, Kensie Buscher, and Tenley Jensen kept the pace high with crisp passes, smart positioning, and a relentless stream of shots on goal. Their chemistry and communication were undeniable, creating chance after chance and keeping the opposing team on their heels.

But when the other side managed to break through, goalkeeper Riley Franco was there to shut the door. Riley was an absolute wall in net—making countless critical saves, including a spectacular moment where she popped a blistering shot up and over the crossbar. Her quick decision-making, steady presence, and fearless command of the box were instrumental in keeping the game within reach.

After a hard-fought two halves, the score stood at 1-1, pushing the final into sudden death overtime. Lesser teams might have cracked—but not Hauppauge United. The girls stayed laser-focused and confident, ready to finish what they started.

And finish they did. Just minutes into the overtime period, Emma Pinelli found herself with the ball at her feet. Without hesitation, she launched a beautiful strike toward the goal—and it was nothing but net! The crowd exploded. The team sprinted to embrace her in celebration.

Final score: Hauppauge United 2, Northport Dash 1. The GU10 Long Island Cup had a new champion—Hauppauge United.

This victory was more than a win on the scoreboard. It was the reward for grit, teamwork, heart, and belief. These girls were the underdogs—but they played like champions every minute of the game. Their trainer, Coach Georgia, changed the United formation to adjust to this tough Northport team. "Unbelievably proud of the whole group. Not only did they claw their way back from being down 1-0, but they navigated playing a new formation. We played Northport twice this season and lost both times. We gambled with a more attacking formation and it paid off - huge credit to the girls for adjusting so quickly!"

Their journey proves that with hard work and unity, anything is possible.

Way to go, United—Long Island Cup CHAMPIONS! 🏆💙⚽