Shining a spotlight on our teams and players! Go Rivertowns!

End of Spring 2024 Season

We would like to shine a spotlight on the Hurricanes – a Rivertowns United FC travel team with a six-year history!  The Hurricanes spent their first fall season as a Rivertowns AYSO recreational team, outplayed their opponents and in spring became a strong U9 girls WYSL team, which later evolved into a highly competitive EDP/NYCSL team that sustained through the high school graduation of most of its players in June 2024. While the players were developing together as athletes, friendships developed as they trained and played matches side by side, year after year … friendships that will long outlast that final whistle.

RUFC honors the Hurricanes' countless on-field successes, the team’s incredible bond and shared competitive spirit, and the coaches and families who supported them through their travel soccer journey. David Downs served as the head coach for the Hurricanes for the past five years, ably assisted by parent coaches Josh Heitler and Gene Turner. Under “devoted” in the dictionary, you would find Coach David, Coach Gene, and Coach Josh, who set a high bar, and continued to raise it, because the team kept getting better and better.

As the Hurricanes retire as a team, we congratulate all the players and wish the graduating Hurricanes all the best as they embark on the next phase of their lives, which we hope includes time on the pitch!

Proud Coach David Downs, the team’s longtime professional trainer, provided a season-and-career-ending wrap-up about the memorable run of the RUFC Hurricanes:

The Hurricanes concluded their final season Saturday, June 1, with a solid 2-0 road win over the Harrison Hornets.  The Hurricanes finished with a 4-2-2 record in the EDP/NYCSL North Atlantic Westchester/Hudson Valley U19 D2, placing 3rd overall.  Among Spring 2024 highlights were a 3-2 win over group champs South Bronx United and a 1-1 tie vs. runners-up LaGrange Freedom.

Competing in the EDP/NYCSL, the Hurricanes faced (and held their own) against top county-wide clubs like Eastern FC and World Class FC.  The Hurricanes also took part in major regional tournaments (Baltimore Mania in 2022 and 2023) with strong results against nationally-ranked teams from Maryland, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

This year's roster included: GK Sharyn Belsky (capt); DF's Michaela Heinlein, Julia Turner (capt), Gabrielle Parkinson, Hazel Tjaden & Nina Hankewycz; MD's Sophia Ballard, Sara Driver, Nayomie Tomala & Mia Kai; and FW's Raina Stephens, Isadora Mello, Sophia Bollengier, Julia Serbee, Lois Heitler, Caleigh Casey & Isha Bindra.  Both Tessa Hunt and Angela Crowe made guest appearances for the Hurricanes, playing up from the RUFC Dragons. 

Special thanks also go to a number of long-time Hurricanes who didn't play their final year of high school, including: Mira Hinkaty, Liana Cabezas, Illiana Dimopoulos, Elena Olsen, Francesca Monaco, Katerina Merrow & Gigi Bragg.

End of Spring 2024 Season

Rivertowns AYSO Ardsley United is team that played only one season together -- Spring 2024 -- team members were high school seniors looking to enjoy a final taste of their camaraderie on the pitch before graduating.

Ardsley United was the brainchild of a group of friends and teammates who had played soccer together over the years in Rivertowns AYSO – some as far back as kindergarten, and others who played for various AYSO teams during their school years, including high school. The spark to create a “reunion team” meant the players had to recruit parent coaches to be eligible to compete. After a little arm-twisting by the teens, parents Scott Edelstein and Jaime Miller stepped up, a team was born, and the players got their wish to have a swansong season together.

We wish the graduating Ardsley United players all the best as they embark on the next phase of their lives, which we hope includes time on the pitch! Congrats to Seth Amouzou, Fletcher Auerbach, Max Edelstein, Jack Johnson, Cody Miller, Aidan Murray, Nishanth Nambiar, Ryan Oshea, Ethan Pomeranz, Michael Sanfilippo, Parker Small, Justin Wachen, and Daniel Yoo!

Fall 2022 was a great season for the Lynx (boys born 2012) who won their division! In Spring 2023, two of our 2010 girls teams ended their seasons at the top of the table! Congrats to the Lynx, the Cobras and the Warriors (pictured).

End of Spring Season, 2023

Volunteer parent coach Christian Gonzalez began coaching with Rivertowns when his son Nico was in 5th grade. Of 18 current players on the Rivertowns AYSO Manchester United team, 15 are graduating seniors -- which is a testament to the friendships and bonding that soccer can bring -- and to the recruiting powers of Nico. Many have been on the team for more than 6 years. These athletes have had Saturday training with Coach Chris for a decade and played competitive games against other AYSO high school teams all over the county for the past 4 years. Alongside Chris for the ride was Gerald Cohen, the team's dedicated volunteer referee, and father of players Alex, a senior, and Ben, a rising junior. 

Coach Chris shared his thoughts about his experience, as his son and many teammates' AYSO journey winds down. “It has been a great experience watching these boys grow, not just as players but also as outstanding young men. I will miss them.”

Congratulations to the entire team and its devoted volunteers on an amazing run, and a special shout-out to the team's graduating seniors: Nicolas G., Alex C., Ben R., Michael S., Jack S., Andrew R., Jeff P., Ryan C., Sam M., Henry F., Stefan C., Kyan C., Aneesh N., Yuval G.,  Mel B.

Rivertowns United travel teams enjoyed playing in Spring 2021 -- with six of them achieving division wins and ending their seasons at the top of the table! A round of applause for the following teams:

The Galaxy



The Rovers



The Dragons



The Terminators



The Thundercats



The Panthers

End of Spring Season, 2021

The Galaxy began as a Rivertowns United team nine years ago. Many of the players have been on the team for more than five years and six of the original 11 players were still on the team through Spring 2021, the team’s final season. These athletes have had many accomplishments - they have come in first or second place in their WYSL division nearly every year; they also won the WYSL premier division and represented RUFC in regionals; and they ended Spring 2021 at the top of the table with - another WYSL division win for their final season -- a fitting farewell and a sweet ending on a high note. Laura Hay and Will Jacobs have been the parent coaches from the beginning. David Downs joined as a coach two years later and has been pivotal in helping secure so many great wins.

Head Coach Laura Hay shared her thoughts as the team’s RUFC journey winds down. “Most importantly, these young men have learned lifelong lessons about teamwork, winning and losing, supporting each other on and off the field, and leadership. And while this Galaxy team will no longer exist, our players will carry these lessons throughout their lives. For all nine years we have loved seeing these boys grow while reinforcing a positive culture along the way. What a treasure and an honor to have David Downs on our side. The parents have been wonderful, supportive, and amazing cheerleaders. What a magical experience for all of us - we will remember this team always.”

Congratulations to the entire team and its devoted coaches on an amazing run, and a special shout-out to team’s graduating seniors: Luca D., Daniel E., Dominic F., Luca F., David H., Bryce J., Jakub K., Alec L., Malcolm M., Vincenzo S., and Rob W.!

We wish them all the best as they begin the next phase at colleges including Brown, Cornell, Lehigh, Muhlenberg, NYU, SUNY Albany, SUNY Binghamton, SUNY Oneonta, and others yet to be decided!