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2014 9 /11
Category Personal Stories
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9/11 Rememberence

By Jonathan Kanovsky

While this is no doubt an incredibly difficult day for those who have lost loved ones on September 11th, I want to reflect on the incredible good that has been accomplished in the name of FF Sergio Villanueva.  Over $130,000 has been given out to worthy young men and women at Hofstra University and Holy Cross High School.  For the past 13 years, I have talked to the men’s and women’s team at Hofstra about 9/11, Sergio, and life lessons in general.  Sergio’s values and his love of the beautiful game continue to live on through these talks and the foundation’s outreach programs. May all those who were killed on September 11, rest in peace

 

 

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2014 Hofstra Women’s Soccer Team in front of FF Sergio Villanueva Garden at Hofstra University

2012 2 /2
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Holy Cross HS Golf Outing honoring 16 graduates killed on 9/11

By Jonathan Kanovsky

 

Sergio’s Alma Mater – Holy Cross High School will be holding their 30th Annual Golf and Tennis Classic at Engineers Country Club on Monday June 25th. They will be honoring Sergio and 15 other Holy Cross graduates who lost their lives on Sept. 11th. Breakfast, BBQ Lunch, Cocktail Hour, Dinner, and Live Auction are included in the cost.

 

 

 

To register follow the link:

http://community.holycrosshs.org/events/event_details.asp?id=132416

2012 1 /10
Category Personal Stories
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New Year’s Hope

By Jonathan Kanovsky

 

The Firefighter Sergio Villanueva Soccer Foundation hopes you and your loved ones had a happy and healthy New Year.

 

The holidays are always a tough time for those who have lost loved ones, but faith sometimes allow you to rejoice in the blessings that surround you.

 

 

 

The EPL is heating up as Man City has come back to reality, while Man U and Spurs challenge for the top spot. Our friends at Exeter (League One) have played well after a slow start and look to improve their position a few spots above the relegation zone.

 

 

 

Hofstra University Men’s and Women’s team represented the foundation well during the season and look to improve upon their finish next year.

 

 

 

Holy Cross Boys Soccer continues to play hard while advancing to the CHSAA quarterfinals.

2011 12 /15
Category Personal Stories
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Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year

By Jonathan Kanovsky

From all of us at the Sergio Soccer Foundation, may your New Year be filled with lots of goals, no red cards, and all good wishes

 

Jon Kanovsky

2011 9 /26
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FDNY 1 NYPD 1 – FDNY Wins 5-4 on PK’s

By Jonathan Kanovsky

The FDNY regained the Mayor’s Cup after a hard-fought, thrilling contest this past Saturday that was decided on Penalty Kicks. Over 2,000 fans cheered on both teams at RedBulls Arena on a hot, muggy night.

 

The first half was tightly played with both sides feeling each other out, but the FDNY Club took the lead with less than a minute left in the first half on a beautiful cross to the 6 yard line which was headed in.

 

The NYPD Club came out on fire (sorry, boys) in the second half and completely dominated play. Chance after chance, however, was turned aside by a FDNY squad determined to avenge last year’s 3-1 defeat. The pressure proved to much and with 8 minutes left in the second half, a beautiful run down the left hand side was rewarded as an NYPD forward beat the FDNY goalie and tied the game. FDNY had one last chance in the final minutes but the NYPD came up with an incredible save.

 

The friendly came down to penalty kicks and the FDNY was perfect and ended up winning the Mayor’s Cup with a 5-4 advantage in PK’s.

 

Over $5,000 was raised for the FF Sergio Villanueva Soccer Foundation and the Widow’s and Orphan’s Fund. A huge thank you to the RedBulls staff for hosting this great contest.

2011 9 /6
Category Personal Stories
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Truly the World’s Game

By Jonathan Kanovsky

 

Tassilaq Soccer Stadium

Tassilaq Soccer Stadium

 

This summer I had the opportunity to travel to Greenland to enjoy a 10 day backpacking trip.  The last thing I expected to find during my adventure was anything related to the world’s game.  Much to my surprise I was mistaken.

 

After a 2 hour plane ride and a 90 minute boat ride through pack ice, I arrived in the town of Tassilaq (pop. 1900).  The center of town is dominated by a regulation soccer pitch.  This pitch is lined on Friday and is used by the whole village from dawn to dusk on Saturday.

 

I then took a 2 hour boat ride and a 10 hour hike thru a valley to Kuggermit Point.  We camped here for three days and previous guest left a soccer ball.  You are viewing what possibly be the only shot of our Executive Director kicking a soccer ball

 

The next day would truly illustrate to me why we call soccer the World’s Game.  After a 20 minute boat ride, I arrived in the little village of Tinnit.  This coastal outpost is 20 miles south of the Polar Ice Cap and has a population of 125.  After a short hike into the middle of town, I came across the school kids of Tinnit warming up for their daily soccer game.  It would be foreign to most of us to play on a small dirt pitch with wooden pallets as goals with a large boulder on the right side of the field (home field advantage), but these boys and girls outfitted in UMBRO pinnies wearing uniforms of Brazil, Barcelona, and Chelsea know no other way.  After inviting me to warm up, (which consisted of a 2 mile run through the hills of Tinnit), and running a little more than 150 yards, I told the trainer that I would wait by the pitch.  After their warm up, the kids played a spirited game of football where skills, honed by hours of practice, were displayed.  I felt honored to view this game that was played with the tenacity of most Premier League matches and now truly understand what is meant by the WORLDS GAME.

2010 11 /16
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Heads Held High

By Jonathan Kanovsky

It was a busy day for the Hofstra Soccer Program this past Sunday. 

 

The men were playing in the CAA final vs William and Mary after an incredible win in the Semi’s on Friday.  Playing a man down, Hofstra scored 2 goals in the final five minutes (game winner on PK with 5 seconds left) to vault themselves into the finals.  HU played W & M to a 0-0 first half tie, but once the Tribe scored HU pushed forward allowing a few easy goals to end up with a 4-0 final.  Nevertheless, great applause to Coach Nuttall and the boys for never giving up, demonstrating great work ethic, and their effort would make Sergio proud.

 

The ladies played on Sunday after a routine win against perinniel power UConn.  A quick goal gave them a 1-0 lead that was never relinquished.  The game against BC in the round of 32 was much closer than the 5-0 opening day loss.  The ladies proved much tougher this time out going down to a 3-1 defeat.  The ladies finished 19-3 and we at the foundation are proud to share in their success as 3 scholarship winners (Tiffany Yovino, Brittany Butts, and Nikki Choeffel) played major roles in the success.

 

Coach Riddough and Coach Nuttall have been extremely supportive of the foundation and have always been willing to lend an extra hand when necessary.  Well done lads, Cheers on two great season

2010 11 /9
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Seasons Extended

By Jonathan Kanovsky

This weekend is a big one for the Hofstra Soccer Programs.  4 scholarship recipients will have extended playing time this year

 

The Men’s team play in the CAA tournament this weekend and while their task is not easy, two wins will allow them to qualify for the College Cup.  The boys have played brilliantly down the stretch, going 4-0-2, to move from 11th place to a 3rd place finish in Conference play.  Good luck to Coach Nuttall and the boys.

 

The women travel to Boston College on Friday to play in the NCAA Women’s College Cup.  First round play opens up at 7 pm vs Connecticut at Boston College. A win versus the Lady Huskies will allow the women to avenge their opening day loss as their probable opponent will be Boston College.  The ladies have had a remarkable season finishing at 18-2.  This team is comprised of some special young women who have shown incredible heart all year.  I welcome all our fans in the Massachussets area to come out root for the women.  Good Luck to Coach Riddiough and the Ladies

2010 11 /5
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Paying Dividends

By Jonathan Kanovsky

When we first endowed the Sergio Villanueva Scholarship at Hofstra University, we knew that we would have an impact on the lives of many young men and women. We hoped that these young men and women would exhibit the work ethic and dedication that was a hallmark of Sergio’s life.  2008 scholarship recipient Tiffany Yovino, as well as the whole Hofstra Women’s Soccer team, has exceeded our expectations this year.  17 straight wins, a regular season conference championship, and a national ranking of 17th in the country only tell part of the story.  This group of young women, most from our area, have heard me talk the past 4 years on a variety of subjects including this years theme of overcoming hardships. 

 

The 2010 Womens Team has not faced many obstacles in 2010  but when challenged, they have stepped up.  Tiffany, while only 5 ft tall, has stood tall, and was named CAA player of the year for her outstanding play.  Coach Riddiough was honored with CAA coach of the year.

 

The ladies know their season will not be complete without an NCAA tourney bid and hopefully a long run in the tournament.  While a bid is not guaranteed, it would be hard to deny the women a bid this year.  A conference championship this weekend might give them the opportunity to even host first and second round games.

 

An article in today’s New York Times highlights their accomplishments:

 

www.nytimes.com/2010/11/05/sports/soccer/05hofstra.html

 

CAA tournament play starts today at 4;30 with JMU vs George Mason, followed by Hofstra playing Georgia State at 7.

 

Winners will meet Sunday at noon.  All games played at Hofstra University Soccer Stadium.

 

All of us at the foundation are extremely proud of the entire Hofstra University Women’s Soccer program and wish you luck the next few weekends

2010 11 /1
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Trust

By Jonathan Kanovsky

 

While the Hofstra University Women’s Soccer Team has enjoyed unparalled success this year (more about that in a post later this week), The Men’s Team has struggled at times to find an identity. With Coach Nuttall trying to blend youth and experience the Pride had remained down in the lower depths of the CAA Conference standings. While their back line remained solid, goals were hard to come by for Hofstra. With half the conference season over, the Hofstra Pride found themselves in 11th place. It would have been very easy for this young team to have thrown in the towel, gone through the motions and gotten ready for next year. Coach Nuttall would not allow this to happen.

 

That is how I found myself standing in front of approximately 20 young men in the visiting locker room at George Mason Stadium. The boys had forged a 3 game unbeaten streak that had vaulted them from 11th place to a 5th Place tie with 3 games left and only the top 4 teams qualifying for the conference tournament. Over the past 8 years, Coach Nuttall has allowed me to address the team during pre-season. These talks focus on Sergio and his dedication as well as a life lesson. While I had addressed the women’s team earlier in the year, scheduling troubles had delayed my talk to the men’s team until last Wednesday night.

 

This year’s talk focused on trust and how Sergio and his fellow firefighters had trusted each other on 9/11 and throughout the years. Being part of a team must include trusting your brothers and giving maximum effort even when things look bleak. Trust was an important element as the members of the New York City Fire Department entered the WTC on 9/11. Trust was the calming factor as these brave men and women climbed countless stairs to thier untimely death.

 

I hoped that the team would understand a little bit of what I tried to teach that night and it was soon evident that they did. A George Mason goal mid way through the first half would give the Hofstra team an opportunity to question their trust, but that was not the case. Their second half effort was relentless and an equalizer would come in the latter stages. Their hard work was further rewarded with a goal in the second overtime vaulting the Hofstra Pride to a 2-1 win and into 2nd Place in the CAA.

 

A home 0-0 draw with the 17th ranked Tribe of William and Mary College allows the Pride to control their own CAA playoff hopes with a win next Saturday at James Madison. I am confident that if the boys continue to trust each other and play with maximum effort, that they will secure a playoff spot.

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