Nick Hoffay named Director of Scouting for Stockade FC

KINGSTON, N.Y. – Kingston Stockade FC announced on Thursday that Nick Hoffay, who has been working with the club since its first season in 2016, has been named Director of Scouting. In the role, Hoffay will be responsible for finding top talent to play for the club, interacting with players, coaches, and administrators, as well as assisting the coaching staff’s preparation for opponents.

“Nick has been integral to all our recruiting and scouting efforts in the first three years of this club’s history,” said Stockade FC Technical Director Dan Hoffay. “His hard work has brought hundreds of talented players into our tryouts, and provided great information for our coaches about potential additions to the team.”

Nick Hoffay (right) holding the Stockade FC’s 2017 Conference Championship trophy

Since the club formed prior to the 2016 NPSL season, Nick Hoffay has been working with Stockade FC Chairman Dennis Crowley, his brother Dan Hoffay, and coaches to form the team. He has communicated regularly with local players, college coaches, and local high schools and clubs to find the best talent in the Hudson Valley. His role has also included various team operations responsibilities.

“I look forward to working closely with our new staff and college coaches in the area as we build a competitive team both for next season and years to come,” said Hoffay.

Born and raised in Highland, Hoffay graduated from Highland High School and SUNY Dutchess, and was a club coach, board member, and club player representative for Highland United Soccer from 2014-2017. He is the treasurer of the Hudson Valley branch of the American Outlaws, a United States National Team supporters group. He currently works for the New York State Bridge Authority.

Kingston Stockade FC competes in the semi-professional National Premier Soccer League (NPSL), the fourth division of American soccer, and has achieved unprecedented success in just three full seasons, winning a conference championship in 2017 and competing in the U.S. Open Cup in 2018. The club is committed to helping improve and develop lower-division soccer in the United States, through an open-source and accessible approach.

Jamal Lis-Simmons named Stockade FC Head Coach

KINGSTON, N.Y. – Kingston Stockade FC has named Jamal Lis-Simmons, a Highland native who has served as the team’s captain since its inception, as the club’s new Head Coach.

“I want to thank Dennis Crowley and the entire Stockade staff for putting their trust me to lead this team going forward,” said Lis-Simmons. “It has been an honor and a privilege to be a part of this club since day one. We have already accomplished some great things in a short period of time and I’m extremely excited about what this team can do in the future.”

“When Stockade FC first started playing, Jamal established himself as a leader both on and off the field, somebody that everyone looks to in tough times,” said Stockade FC Chairman Dennis Crowley. “His leadership, understanding of the game, and deep connections to players and coaches in the Hudson Valley and beyond make him the perfect person to lead our team moving forward.”

Lis-Simmons becomes the club’s head coach after three standout seasons as a defender and captain for the team, earning a spot on the All-NPSL First Team in 2017, and Third Team honors in 2016. He is the third head coach in club history, following David Lindholm, who held the post for the last two seasons, and Hall-of-Fame coach George Vizvary, who served in the club’s inaugural season in 2016.

Assuming head coaching responsibilities immediately, Lis-Simmons will name the rest of his coaching staff in the coming months, and will start the process of building the roster for 2019 with the assistance of Technical Director Dan Hoffay.

“Jamal brings an extremely professional, winning attitude to Stockade FC,” said Hoffay. “He has been part of all our ups and downs, and he knows first-hand what it takes to win in this league. 

I am excited to work closely with Jamal to continue building a championship atmosphere within our program.” The head coach of the SUNY Ulster Men’s Soccer program since 2016, Lis-Simmons served as an assistant coach at SUNY New Paltz under Hall of Fame coach Gene Ventriglia from 2012-2015.

He was also the head coach at Highland High School from 2004-06, leading the team to a 40-14-1 record and coaching current Stockade FC Technical Director Dan Hoffay, who also now serves as his assistant coach at Ulster.

As a player, Lis-Simmons enjoyed a decorated career prior to the creation of Kingston Stockade FC. He began playing collegiate soccer at the University of Albany in 2000-01, being nominated for conference rookie of the year in 2001, and later finished at SUNY New Paltz, where he earned Second Team All-SUNYAC and Team MVP honors in 2011. He was also given the Athletic Department Leadership Award in 2011. He was a three-time participant in the Empire Games (2004-2006), earning two medals.

Lis-Simmons was a four year starter at Highland High School, earning All-League and All-Second honors in each season, as well as three consecutive league titles and a Section 9 championship.

He graduated from SUNY New Paltz in 2015 with a B.A. in history and currently works in the Student Support Services department at SUNY Ulster. He now lives in Highland with his wife, Stephanie, and daughter, Soleil Jade.

Kingston Stockade FC competes in the semi-professional National Premier Soccer League (NPSL), the fourth division of American soccer, and has achieved unprecedented success in just three full seasons, winning a conference championship in 2017 and competing in the U.S. Open Cup in 2018. The club is committed to helping improve and develop lower-division soccer in the United States, through an open-source and accessible approach.

Stockade FC appoints Dan Hoffay as Technical Director

Dan Hoffay (right) overseeing Stockade FC tryouts with Lead Scout, Nick Hoffay (left)

KINGSTON, N.Y. – Kingston Stockade FC has appointed Dan Hoffay, whose work with the club since its inaugural season has been instrumental in the team’s success, as its Technical Director. In the post, Hoffay will oversee the operations of the first team, working closely with the Head Coach, and will play an instrumental role in the future growth of the club’s youth efforts.

“Dan Hoffay has been critical in creating a professional environment in which our players and coaches can flourish,” said Stockade FC Chairman Dennis Crowley. “In many ways, this title reflects the organizational, administrative, and planning work he has already been doing. But it also shows the trust we have in Dan to continue our improvement and development in soccer, with the first team and in any future youth efforts.”

“I am excited to build on our club’s recent successes as we continue to develop the talent and passion for soccer in the Hudson Valley, especially at the youth level,” said Hoffay. “I am humbled, honored and ready to get to work.”

Joining Stockade FC in 2016 ahead of the team’s first season, Hoffay has worked in the operations of the first team, assisting with everything from practice and game scheduling, travel logistics, tryout organization and player recruitment, social media, communication with the NPSL and member clubs, and more.

In addition to his work with Stockade FC, Hoffay currently serves as an assistant coach for the SUNY Ulster men’s soccer team, and previously was the head coach of the FDR Boys Varsity, leading the team to a 12-3 record in 2016. He coached teams ranging in age from U12 to U23 at the Highland United Soccer Club, also serving on the organization’s board and as a tournament director from 2014-2017. He is a co-president and founder of the Hudson Valley chapter of the American Outlaws, a supporters group for the U.S. National Teams, and volunteers with the Michael Oremus Foundation.

Outside of soccer, Hoffay serves as a fourth-grade teacher at E.C. Myer Elementary in the Kingston City School District. He graduated from Highland High School in 2006, where he was coached by current Stockade FC captain Jamal Lis-Simmons, earned a B.S. in Elementary Education and Special Education from the College of Saint Rose in 2010, and an M.S. in Literacy Education from Mount St. Mary College in 2014.

Kingston Stockade FC competes in the semi-professional National Premier Soccer League (NPSL), the fourth division of American soccer, and has achieved unprecedented success in just three full seasons, winning a conference championship in 2017 and competing in the U.S. Open Cup in 2018. The club is committed to helping improve and develop lower-division soccer in theUnited States, through an open-source and accessible approach.

Lindholm steps down as Stockade FC Head Coach

Coach Lindholm thanking Stockade FC fans after the 2017 NPSL Northeast Regional Semi-Final.

KINGSTON, N.Y. – Kingston Stockade FC announced on Monday that David Lindholm, who served as the club’s Head Coach for the past two seasons, has stepped down from the post.

“Having the opportunity to work with the players and staff at Stockade FC has been an absolute honor,” said Lindholm. “While I would love to continue coaching the team, my work in the athletic department at Bard College requires my full dedication. I hope I can continue to be helpful to the Stockade FC organization in whatever way possible.”

“It’s been a pleasure to work with Coach Lindholm these past two seasons,” said Stockade FC Chairman Dennis Crowley. “Under his leadership our club won its first Conference Championship and qualified for its first U.S. Open Cup. His hard work has cemented Stockade FC’s reputation as a high-quality club where great players can grow and develop.”

Lindholm joined Stockade FC prior to the 2017 season, helping the club to a conference championship and a 7-4-1 (W-L-T) record in his first year. The team also earned a berth in the 2018 U.S. Open Cup. In his second season, the team had a 3-5-2 record with highlights including a 5-1 win over Boston City FC at home and a come-from-behind 4-4 draw with defending national champions Elm City Express.

“I am grateful to Dennis Crowley for his trust, and for the coaches, players, and staff for all their support,” said Lindholm. “This club is in a wonderful position to continue to grow and succeed, and I look forward to being in the stands for as many games as I can next season and beyond.”

The club has already begun the process of selecting a new Head Coach and expects to make an announcement in the near future.

Kingston Stockade FC competes in the semi-professional National Premier Soccer League (NPSL), the fourth division of American soccer, and has achieved unprecedented success in just three full seasons, winning a conference championship in 2017 and competing in the U.S. Open Cup in 2018. The club is committed to helping improve and develop lower-division soccer in the United States, through an open-source and accessible approach.

Kingston Stockade FC Fall On Road to New York Cosmos B, 4-0, in Final Match of 2018 NPSL Season

(Photo by StockadeFC.com)

NEW YORK — In a clash of plucky upstaters paying a visit to a legendary American soccer club, the home side very much lived up to their lofty reputation despite a game effort from the visitors from the north.

Kingston Stockade FC fell to New York Cosmos B, 4-0, on Saturday at Columbia University's Baker Athletics Complex. The match was the final game of the season for Stockade.

Play was mostly level for about the first fourth of the match, but Cosmos broke through in the 21st minute, as Jonathan Borrajo played a pinpoint ball in to Wojciech Wojcik, who slotted it home to open the scoring.

The Cosmos then made it 2-0 in the 26th minute, as Biedi Bardic punished Stockade for a mistake in the back.

Bardic then made it 3-0 in the 45th minute, slotting the ball home after a pass from Jalen Brown.

Bardic then completed his hat trick in the 72nd minute, making good on some industrious work by Zaire Bartley.

The 4-0 score stood for the rest of the way, and allowed the Cosmos to finish the season a perfect 10-0-0 (wins-draws-losses), while Stockade finished the 2018 campaign with a 3-2-5 record.

After the match, Stockade head coach David Lindholm talked about Kingston's effort in the loss.

"Yeah, I was pleased with the effort tonight, in that throughout the entire match, we did everything we could," said Lindholm. "Good teams take advantage of any break that the game gives to them, and we had a couple of breakdowns. I thought they got a couple of breaks from the referees, which again, you have to expect. I think we got a couple of breaks from the referees too, so it's not a criticism of them, it's just that when the game gives you something, you take advantage, and I thought they did that really well, and we worked really hard. They're a good team."

Lindholm also lamented not having a fully fit squad, but still sees the Cosmos as one of the teams to beat in the NPSL playoffs.

"It's tough, because I don't think we put them under a lot of pressure, so if we'd had our full squad, if we had everybody, then maybe I'd have a better assessment," said Lindholm. "They were better than us tonight, for sure, and it'll be interesting to see how far they go. They're certainly — based on paper and on their record, 10-0-0 — they've got to be considered a team that can win a national championship."

Lindholm also talked about the season as a whole, both the highs and the lows.

"We look back at the season, and a couple of games where if we got the results that we should have gotten, then we're in a different position now," said Lindholm. "That's soccer. It's 10 games. If you mess up in a couple of games, you're in a lot of trouble, and that's what happened to us. But the things that we look back on — a 5-1 win against Boston City, or getting four goals in the second half (for a 4-4 draw) against the defending national champions — those were really special things for the club and the players, and things that we won't forget. And again, we have to be grateful for those moments. When you miss the playoffs, you have to take something with you that you can be proud of, and absolutely those were some high moments."

After play ended in Manhattan, Lindholm gathered the team in a huddle and addressed them as a group group. Here's what he told the Hudson Valley squad.
 
"I thanked them for everything that they gave to the club," said Lindholm. "Because it's amateur soccer, so the cliche is that you give blood, sweat and tears, but you also spend money to be a part of a club like this. And so, the fact that they are willing to show up for the club, work really hard in practice to be at games and play 90 minutes, and just exhaust themselves on the field is incredible. It's very special. You see teams that are in our position (traveling on the road), like Boston City last week, they bring 11 guys. We bring a full team to the last game of the season (on the road), and that's a credit to how much they care about this team. It's a credit to the fans for showing up and making it a special experience, and for the whole club structure to put us in a position to succeed. So it's disappointing that our season ends here, but I'm so grateful to the players and the staff, and everybody that makes this possible."

Man of the Match: Juan Parada

By Randy Kim, Kingston Stockade FC GM
 

Kingston Stockade FC Top Boston City, 5-1, in Final Home Match of Season

Michael Creswick collects the ball near the touchline for Stockade. (📷 StockadeFC.com)

KINGSTON, N.Y. — In the final home match of the season, Kingston Stockade FC topped Boston City FC, 5-1, in front of 646 fans at Dietz Stadium.

The win gives Stockade a record of 3-2-4 (wins-draws-losses) on the season, and moves their goal differential to a +2.

Stockade opened the scoring in the 15th minute with a goal from Michael Creswick. Creswick slotted home after an attempt from Pedro Espindola forced a save from the Boston City goalkeeper.

Stockade then went up 2-0 in the 18th minute, courtesy of a goal from Juan Parada. Josh Maley had the assist.

Parada then headed home for his second goal of the day in the 38th minute, off of a cross from Scott Zobre.

Espindola then found the back of the net himself in the 45th minute, off of another assist from Zobre.

Boston City then dug themselves a bit of a deeper hole in the 45th minute after Jackson Leite was sent off on a straight red after a hard tackle on Espindola.

Boston City got one back in the 53rd minute to make it 4-1.

Stockade continued to apply pressure the rest of the way, and converted once more in the 65th minute after Nick Shenberger put home a loose ball in the box.

After the match, Stockade head coach David Lindholm talked about the win being a fitting home send-off for the players who have put in the hard hours this season.

"I'm really pleased for the players," said Lindholm. "They got rewarded for all the hard work that they've put in throughout the year. The squad always shrinks over the course of a season like this. We're all amateur players, so some people can't keep playing. And the guys that were here tonight are the guys who have been really dedicated, really focused on the job all season, came out and trained hard every day, and they get a reward of being able to get a big win against a rival of ours. A team that we love to beat."

Lindholm also looked ahead to the last match of the season against the New York Cosmos, and how his team will approach the top team in the conference.

"I'd say that (playing the Cosmos) is a great opportunity for us as a club, and for us as players," said Lindholm. "Just as a team, you always want to play against good teams, and we have an opportunity, I think, depending on the result tonight, to be the first team that knocks them off this season. And we'll look at the results, and maybe we'll still have a shot at the playoffs when we hit them, and then we'll know what we need to do, which is get a win, and again, if we were going to make the playoffs, we'd have to beat teams of that caliber anyway, if we want to anything there, so it's a great opportunity for us."

Stockade heads to New York Cosmos on Saturday, July 7 at 7PM.

Man of the Match: Juan Parada ... "The Marist Men’s Soccer midfielder facilitated the attack for Stockade FC in a 5-1 route of Boston City. Parada scored twice in the first half and added an assist on the Stockade FC fifth goal. Parada, the workhorse in the midfield, seemingly had the ball on his foot for the entire match." -Dan Hoffay

Kingston Stockade FC Fall to Brooklyn Italians, 1-0, On the Road

(Photo by StockadeFC.com)

BROOKLYN, N.Y. — It was a game characterized by stretches of skilled, attacking play from the visitors, but in the end it wasn't enough to overcome the hosts, as Kingston Stockade FC fell to Brooklyn Italians, 1-0, on the road on Saturday night.

Stockade more than held their own over the first third of play, but Brooklyn jumped ahead in the 33rd minute courtesy of a composed finish from Tom Suchecki.

Kingston fought gamely for the rest of the match, though, even after Afonso Pinheiro was sent off with a red card in the 69th minute. Stockade goalkeeper Steven Skonieczny had a number of wildly impressive saves that kept Kingston in the match. From an attacking perspective, winger Pedro Espindola looked especially lively on the left side, and forced a handful of saves from the Brooklyn goalkeeper.

With the loss, Stockade falls to 2-2-4 (wins-draws-losses) on the season, and has two matches left to play. Brooklyn moves to 4-1-2, and has three matches remaining.

After the match, Stockade coach David Lindholm answered a few questions about the game and the stretch run for Stockade.

Thoughts on the Brooklyn Italians match:

Lindholm: "It's a disappointing result, and it's a hard pill to swallow. I thought we had chances to take control of the game, and to influence the game more than we did. It's a tough place to play, and they're a good team, and if you make mistakes — and I think we did both make physical mistakes and mental mistakes — you're going to be in trouble, and we were tonight."

Thoughts on Stockade's level of play over the last few weeks:

Lindholm: "The way I would describe it is that I think we are capable of playing at an incredibly high level. And that for whatever reason, and I haven't been able to figure it out as a coach, we haven't been able to put that together for 90 minutes. You saw it last week (in the 4-4 draw against Elm City), the second half was about as good as a team can play, and the first half was about as bad as a team can play. And here in Brooklyn, I thought in the first 25 minutes, I said, 'We're in control of this match, and we've got things under control. We're ready to win.' And then after that we just couldn't get the ball on our feet, and we lost our heads in the second half."

Thoughts on the final few weeks of the season:

Lindholm: "We'll have to assess the playoff picture after the weekend's results. I don't think it looks good for us at this point, so what we have to do is make our fans proud. We have a home game on Sunday that I want to use to show our fans that we've got depth in our squad, and we've got good players throughout, and I know the guys that go out on the field are going to represent the badge well. And then, same thing, next week, the 30th at home, we've got another opportunity to make our fans proud. And then we get an opportunity to play against one of the best teams in the country at this level. And that's really exciting, and again, the primary goal is to make our fans proud, and to represent our team and our badge well on the field."

Man of the Match: Steven Skonieczny

Kingston Stockade FC Pull Off Amazing Comeback to Earn 4-4 Draw Against Defending Champs, Elm City Express

(Photo by StockadeFC.com)

By Randy Kim

KINGSTON, N.Y. — It was a comeback that's absolutely certain to live long in club lore.

After falling behind to defending NPSL champs Elm City Express 4-0 in the first half, Kingston Stockade FC scored four unanswered goals in the second half to earn a draw that was as unlikely as it was impressive.

Elm City got out of the gate early when Anthony Asante nudged home a corner kick in the 7th minute to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.

Tyler Carlos then scored off of an impressive free kick to make it 2-0.

Shaquille Sanchez scored in the 27th minute to make it 3-0, and Tyler Carlos converted a penalty kick in the 44th minute to make it 4-0 to the Connecticut side.

But then the hosts woke up, and took the action to the defending champs.

Pedro Espindola headed home in the 54th minute off of a Bernardo Mattos cross to make it 4-1.

Espindola and company continued to apply pressure before converting again in the 72nd minute. The second Stockade goal came off of a Mikey Lanzetta corner kick, which was converted by Victor Guirma.

Lanzetta then used some deft maneuvering in midfield to find enough space to send Espindola through on goal. Espindola didn't disappoint, and beat the keeper to make it 4-3 in the 77th minute.

(This also led to one of the great goal celebrations of any competition currently underway, including FIFA's own World Cup.) 

WHAT A FLIPPIN’ NIGHT! @pe_espindola, @mcreswick28 and @mikeylanz98 lead @StockadeFC’s 4 goal second half comeback to draw with @elmcityexpress after trailing 4-0 at the half.

cc// @pe_espindola @NPSLSoccer pic.twitter.com/l1mf8buecO

— Stockade FC (@StockadeFC) June 17, 2018

Then a mere five minutes later, Stockade drew level. Lanzetta assisted once more, this time to substitute Michael Creswick, who headed home to make it 4-4. Which led to wild celebrations by the home side and its fans.

WHAT A COMEBACK! After falling behind to defending @NPSLSoccer champs @elmcityexpress 4-0 at halftime, @StockadeFC fought back to earn a 4-4 draw! Above is the 88' leveler by @mcreswick28! These Stockade boys are nothing short of legendary! #wearestockade #NPSL #Kingstonpride pic.twitter.com/KFCTbq0Ttg

— Stockade FC (@StockadeFC) June 17, 2018

Stockade continued to apply pressure — with Espindola tantalizingly, if not cruelly, striking the post in the 88th minute — but the hosts were unable to steal all 3 points from the visitors.

After the match, Stockade head coach David Lindholm talked about why the team was able to shift gears so dramatically from one half to the next.

"I told the guys at halftime — it wasn't a big speech — but I told them that we've got to take pride in our performance," said Lindholm. "Whatever the reasons we were down four goals, whoever came off at the half, it didn't matter. The 11 guys that were out on the field just had to take pride in the performance that we were going to give in the second half. And they did. It was a level of energy, and a level of intensity and focus and drive and passion that we didn't see in the first half. And that first-half performance was due to some of my decisions, and due to some lapses we made, but to be able to come out like that in the second half and get a result is an amazing testament to how much these guys care about what they do day in and day out, and how much passion they have for the team, the badge, the fans, and for each other."

Lindholm then spoke about what this sort of an emotional comeback means for his side.

"I think the real value in getting a result like this and having a comeback like this is that we turn it into more points later," said Lindholm. "And that's going to be tough, as we have three very, very good teams left on our schedule. But we've shown that we can play with anybody, and we're better than teams that we've dropped points to this season. We've got to put in a 90 minute performance."

Stockade travels to Brooklyn Italians this coming Saturday. Then they host Boston City FC on June 30, before heading to New York Cosmos on July 7. (Providence City FC also visits Dietz Stadium on Sunday, June 24 for a friendly.)

Man of the Match: Mikey Lanzetta