The Wind Gap Area Youth Soccer League was formed in 1981 as part of the
WGAAA. In its initial year of providing soccer to the youth of the WIND GAP
area 41 participants met at the Wind Gap Park to learn the new sport. The
kids included Greg Imperato, Dave Christophides, Vince Irwin, Lara Panyatoff,
Matt Geiger, Mark Sislo, Jarod Black, Kevin Black, Dale Houck, Jim Liero,
Theresa Squarcia, Columbus Adamson, Tony Borger and many others. Players
came from Nazareth, Bushkill Township, Wind Gap, Plainfield Township,
Saylorsburg, Pen Argyl, Washington Township, Bangor, Upper Mount Bethel, and
Portland. Some of the first coaches for the Wind Gap AYSL were Gus
Christophides, Pat Balsamo, Jeff Adamson, Dale Black and Steve Smith. The
first games were played at Wind Gap Park using 55 gallon trash cans as goals
in the outfield of the Legion Baseball field.
In 1982, the WGAYSL, along with Moore Twsp, Lehigh Twsp and Bath formed the
Blue Mountain Youth Soccer League. The founding fathers of this league were
Charlie Garcia (MT), Glenn Borger (WG), Ken Smith (B), Sam "Doe" (LT). The
initial tournaments were one day events and played at a different field each
year. Today's BMSYL tournament is named after Charlie Garcia.
In 1984, the National Champion Allentown-based Pennsylvania Stoners visited
the Wind Gap park to put on an exhibition and give camp training. The likes
included Bob Ehrlich, Kevin Costello, Jeff Tipping and Carlos Medeira.
Today, many of these same men are still involved in Lehigh Valley soccer and
help direct the national soccer program.
In 1988, several members of the Wind Gap Soccer program and their parents
petitioned the Pen Argyl School District for a High School Soccer Team and
Athletic Director Jim Tiernan helped create our first season of High School
Soccer at Pen Argyl. In our first year, under tuteledge of Coach Warren
Munoz, we played 'club' level and boasted a record of 5-5-2. By our third
year, Pen Argyl soccer was on the map with consecutive winning seasons,
including a 12-2-2 record at the JV level and we had a nationally recognized
soccer player as a coach, Bruce Morris.
By 1998, the Wind Gap AYSL was a force to reckon with. With several BMYSL
league championships and committed and talented players like Matty Wehr,
James Texiera, Greg Foley, Tony Pacheco and Nate Roberts, Wind Gap was on the
path of success. Coaches like Aaron Balch, Steve Smith, Chuck Niclaus,
George Meyers and Tony Borger provided the guidance to several boys and girls
league and tournament championships.
In 2000, Pen Argyl High School Varsity Boys Soccer Program made significant
strides in success at the sport. Led by Dustin Smith, Eddie Ried, Jeff Gum,
Victor Grande, Chuck Scheibner and Gary Ferolie, the team boasted a 13-7
record and a berth in the District XI playoffs. In the playoffs, the Green
Knights headed off the league champions Catasauqua Rough Riders, who were led
by Chris Bastides in the semifinals, making their first appearance in PIAA
District finals. The team again made the playoffs in 2001, led by the same
players and joined by freshman goalkeeper Mike Bortz, James Gower and Robert
Edwards. Those teams were coached by Anton Issac.
Also in 2000, the Pen Argyl High School Girls Soccer Program began. No
longer would the girls be forced to play with the guys! In their first year,
the team, coached by George Meyers turned heads at JV and quickly became a
force to reckon with. The team was led by Britney Counterman, Julie Meyers,
Julie Gum, Steph Smith, Katie Dishman and Kim Pachuta. In 2003, the team
made District XI Varsity playoffs, winning its first District playoff game
against the Easton Red Rovers. In 2004, the team again was a force and made
District XI playoffs.
In 2004, the Wind Gap Area Youth Soccer League took on the name of Wind Gap THUNDER! The logo was developed and a large clothing order began, supplying our players, parents and community with fashionable team spirited clothing to support our players.
Today, after significant growth and development of two additional community
youth programs in Slate Belt and Nazareth, the Wind Gap AYSL still provides
soccer to over 300 students of the game from Wind Gap, Pen Argyl, Plainfield Township and several surrounding areas.
