Pancyprians Set Lofty Goals, Rapaglia Cup Champions Aim for Trophies
The N.Y. Pancyprian Freedoms have won countless trophies over the decades, from the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup to the Cosmopolitan Soccer League.
But rarely has the storied soccer club taken home hardware in September.
But this year turned out to be an exception for an exceptional team.
The Pancyprians added a golden soccer ball trophy to their burgeoning collection Sunday, after capturing the Rapaglia Cup at Verrazano Sports Complex.
“I never won this cup, so it’s always good to win something that you’ve never won,” said forward Adam Himeno, scored in the semifinal and final wins. “But it’s also great for the club. So much history to win this.”
The CSL team made even more history as it defeated fellow First Division side Sporting SC, 2-0, to become the first club to win the Rapaglia Cup three times. The competition is named after Eastern New York State Soccer Association president Sal Rapaglia.