Second Four Indutees to Connecticut Hall of Fame

Former MLS Player Yorks Among Second Batch

January 5, 2008

FARMINGTON, Conn. – Eight people will be inducted into the Connecticut Soccer Hall of Fame this year, the 10th anniversary of the local hall of enshrinement. The inductees will be honored at the 10th annual CSHOF Induction Dinner to be held at the Farmington Marriott on Jan. 26 at 5:30 p.m. Here are the second batch of four inductees. Click here for the first four.

Michael Pitruzzello, Sr. (Cromwell, CT)

Mike Pitruzzello has been a dedicated soccer coach and administrator who has immersed himself in the game over the past three decades. Since 1980, he coached the Cromwell High School boys soccer team to 342 wins, two Class S state championships, and seven league titles. He was the National High School Athletic Association Boys Soccer Coach of the Year in 1999 and Connecticut Soccer Coaches Association Coach of the Year in 1995. Mike also was recognized as the National Soccer Coaches Region 1 Soccer Coach of the Year (2002) and became a national finalist. As an administrator, he was the president of the Connecticut Soccer Coaches Association (1993-2004).

Marion Joseph Stoj, M. D. (Manchester, CT)

Marion Stoj (pronounced "Stoy") has been a familiar face on the soccer fields in Connecticut since 1966. Marion captained Wesleyan University to an ECAC title in 1973 and earned leadership, academic, and athletic awards from 1970 to 1973. He led the team in scoring in 1971 and 1973 and was also named to All-New England and All-America teams both years. Marion was invited to tryout for the U.S. Olympic soccer team in 1972 and was drafter by the L.A. Aztecs of NASL in 1974. Stoj played for numerous Connecticut soccer clubs since 1966, including New Britain Falcons, Hartford Polish, Manchester, World Class, and Pulaski. He has been played in numerous senior leagues and soccer clubs in the state and continues to play in over 40 leagues today.

Roberto J. Taylor (Wallingford, CT)

Roberto Taylor played for the Guatemala Junior National Team in 1966 and club teams Tipografia Nacional and Cementos Novello (1967-1969) before relocating to New Haven, Connecticut in 1970. He attended South Central Community College (1971-1972) before transferring to the University of New Haven in 1972. Taylor was an outstanding midfielder who scored 25 goals and added 8 assists during his 26 games for New Haven, earning All-New England recognition both years. Roberto joined the Connecticut Yankees of the American Soccer League and became the 1975 Rookie of the Year, a league All-Star and earned the team's MVP. That same year he finished second in the ASL in scoring with 14 tallies and four assists from the midfield. Taylor played for the Hartford Bicentennials of the North American Soccer League in 1976. Unfortunately, injuries from an automobile accident in 1977 limited his ability to continue playing competitive soccer. In 1984, he was inducted into the Hew Haven Hall of Fame.

Lyle Yorks (Previously from Mansfield, CT. Currently Falls River, CT)

Lyle Yorks was one of the most decorated youth soccer players in Connecticut history. As a 4-year starter at E.O. Smith High School in Storrs, Connecticut, Lyle helped lead the Panthers to 2 Class LL titles and was twice named to Parade Magazine and NSCAA All-America teams. Yorks was named the Gatorade National Player of the Year in 1987. Lyle played for the United States Under-16 and Under-20 Youth National Teams and professionally with DC United (MLS, 1998), New York Fever (1995), Naestved FC (1993-1994) and Milwaukee Wave (1992). He was a four-year starter for the University of Virginia and captured two NCAA titles (1989 & 1991). Yorks captained the 1991 championship team and earned All-ACC honors that year.

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