Port Jefferson Youth Soccer Player's Team Makes Nationals

Jimmy Contino, a 15-year-old youth soccer player from Port Jefferson who attends along with his teammates of the U-15 Dix Hills Elite from the US Youth Soccer National League qualified for the US Youth Soccer National Championships being played this July in Overland Park, Kansas.

On March 17, Contino's team defeated the Empire Revolution in Las Vegas to jump to make the National Championships.

"The main reason for the team advancing to the National Championships in Kansas this summer is simply because of the hard work the boys put in during training," said Dix Hills coach Dominic Casciato in a statement announcing the team's win.

Weather had been a big challenge to the team in getting in practice time this winter, according to Casciato but the players were able to "really apply themselves regardless of the circumstances and take on board everything they are being taught." He added that team spirit and the close relationship between the players helped give them an edge in close games, like the  1 - 0 win that propelled them to the Championships.