Whiz Kids: United FC U-11

Each week, East Brunswick Patch will seek suggestions from readers for individual kids, youth groups, teens and even sports teams that wow us with their accomplishments. We want to hear about these amazing children and teens and select one each week as the Patch Whiz Kid.

This week, soccer parent Lynda Pere nominated the United FC U-11 East Brunswick Soccer Team after a stellar fall season and a great start to the spring season.

Congratulations United FC, you are this week’s Patch Whiz Kids.

United FC is includes Daniel Shaposhnikov, Jesse Perel, Ola-Ayo Ogunwale, Ryan Fedosh, Kyle Santos, Kevin Escobar, Michael Pisco, Nas Zubairu, Ryan McDonald, Rob Duncan, Ivan Loncar, Luca Biagiotti, Ryan Brede and Lucas Ribau.

All are 10 and 11 years old and attend East Brunswick and South River school districts.

The team won the Mid-New Jersey Soccer Association State Championship and took first in their Flight 1 division. Over the past weekend, the team traveled to Richmond, Va., for one of the top tournaments in the country.

Coach Joe Camarota had this to say about his players.

“They’re all athletic, but its amazing, because this is our third year, and you can see the growth, individually and collectively,” he said. “It’s amazing the dedication the kids put into it. It’s not just the drills and practices, but it’s also what they do at home.”

The team plays fall and spring seasons, and trains most of the summer and much of the winter, with up to three practices and a game a week during the season, and up to two training sessions a week during the off season. However, Camarato and the players know that soccer doesn’t always come first.

“We stress school. School’s first, so if a child has homework or has to do something, obviously school comes first,” he said. “The word we use the most is that we’re training and helping them in becoming professional. Everything is professional, the way we walk to the pitch, the way we prepare for the game.

“We really stress team, and stress professionalism - they way you look, the way you speak and the way you represent yourself and your community. Now that we’re state champs people may want to scrutinize us. We want to represent ourselves to the best of our ability and in a professional manner.

Following United FC’s state win, the East Brunswick Soccer Club ran a feature story on the team. Here is an excerpt that details the team’s ride to glory.

“EBSC’s United FC, the club’s U11 Boys Elite team, won the club’s first state championship in 16 years during games played during the weekend of Oct 30 and Oct. 31 in Wall, beating Wayne in the semifinals, 4-3, before shutting out Aberdeen, 2-0, in the title game.

United FC faced Wayne in the semifinals in a game that proved to be one of the team’s biggest challenges. United FC started strong in the first half, and within 10 minutes Ivan Loncar sent a ball to Kevin Escobar, who dribbled it in the 18 and put it past the goalie for a 1-0 lead.  Five minutes later, Ola-Ayo Ogunwale sent a long pass from defense to connect with Michael Pisco, who dribbled past two defenders and the goalie netting the second goal for a 2-0 score. 

“United FC continued working the whole field and around the 20 minute mark, Ivan again connected with Kevin who put it over the defender and sent a volley to beat the goalie for a 3-0 lead at the half. 

“However, Wayne came back, scoring two goals within 10 minutes to make it a 3-2 game.  Wayne started putting the pressure but United FC’s solid defense led by Ola-Ayo, Jesse Perel, Ryan Brede, and Nas Zubairu, along with goalkeeper Lucas Ribau, held on to the lead. 

“Around the 16 minute Luca Biagiotti had a breakaway from midfield and brought it Wayne’s 18 where he was fouled and awarded a penalty kick, which was blocked. However, Ivan’s follow up found the back of the net for a 4-2 lead.  Wayne came back wand scored once more, but Ryan McDonald, Ryan Fedosh, Rob Duncan and Kyle Santos kept the 4-3 score unchanged until the final whistle, moving United FC into the final.

“United’s final challenge was against Aberdeen Warriors.  United players started moving the ball well but Aberdeen was pumped up with a solid crowd behind them and were challenging every play.

“But, from midfield, Rob sent a pass to Luca, who took it into the 18 and chipped it over the goalie for a 1-0 lead at the 15 minute mark. At around the 22nd minute, a combination from Kyle to Michael and Michael to Ivan resulted in a one-on-one by Ivan to beat a defender and the goalie for a goal and a 2-0 United FC lead. The second half was all defense with no additional scoring. However, the East Brunswick supporters’ cheers and dangerous shots from Michael, Kevin and Ryan McDonald on four separate occasions kept Aberdeen at bay until the final whistle which sealed the title for East Brunswick united.”

The team is coached by Hector Escobar, Joe Camarota and Rob Duncan and trained by Rider University assistant coach Julian Richens.

Do you know a great kid who made Eagle Scout or did your local soccer team take the championship? They may be our next Patch Whiz Kid honoree.

Submit your nomination in our comment box below or e-mail the information to john.saccenti@patch.com. Be sure to include all of the following information:

.                Nominator's Name

.                Nominator's E-Mail

.                Whiz Kid's Name

.                Whiz Kid's Age

.                Whiz Kid's School

.                Whiz Kid's Accomplishment

.                Whiz Kid's Key to Awesomeness (what made him/her successful?)

.                A high-resolution JPG phot