The LIJSL Academy East and West teams were in action at Liberty Cup Long Island on July 25-26. During the two-day tournament run by LIJSL, the Academy had plenty of success.
Three teams earned first-place finishes – GU9 Academy West, GU10 Academy West, and GU12 Academy West. Three other teams finished in second – BU10 Academy West, BU12 Academy West, and GU11 Academy West.
“The second year of the Liberty Cup was another success with teams coming from far and wide to compete,” LIJSL Technical Director Ronan Wiseman said. “Everyone had a good experience, with our Academy teams doing very well in their respective brackets of play. We will continue to grow the tournament to give our teams a top-class experience close to home.”
The success at Liberty Cup followed up the Academy’s time in Rhode Island at the Seaside Classic. With the completion of the two tournaments, the LIJSL Academy East and West teams have now completed the slate of summer competition for the program. While earning medals along the way is the cherry on top, the growth showed by the players in the program is the main takeaway.
“LIJSL Academy East provides a unique opportunity for talented players from clubs across Eastern Long Island to come together during the summer, train in a competitive environment and represent the region at tournaments in Rhode Island and on Long Island,” Academy East Director Andreas Lindberg said. “The program is about more than just the games – it gives players another opportunity to develop, learn from different coaches and teammates, and build friendships with players they would normally compete against during the club season. It has been great to see the players grow as individuals and come together as a group over the course of the summer.”
Academy West Co-Directors Mike Borra and Dave Schneider said in a joint statement:
“What began as a group of players and coaches coming together for the first time evolved into a true team environment built on hard work, lasting friendships, and a shared passion for the game. From our opening training sessions to the Seaside Classic and now the Liberty Cup, it has been incredible to watch each player grow in confidence, ability, and love for the game.
Thank you to all of our players, coaches, and families for making Academy West such a memorable experience. Your commitment, enthusiasm, and support helped make this our most successful Academy West summer yet. We are honored to have been a small part of each player’s soccer journey and look forward to watching them continue to grow and succeed in the seasons ahead.”
More info on the Academy East and West programs can be found here.