The Garden City Freedom Garden City Freedom Girls U-11 travel team participated in the 2004 Ref-Fuel tournament on August 28th-30th in Syosset at Stillwell Park. The weekend was the first time the team had played as a unit since losing two star players, and gaining three new very talented girls.

The weekend turned out to be the hottest of the summer, and the girls played five games over the three days. The team was also playing without 3 valuable veterans (Gabrielle Barcklow, Cara Durand and Katherine Kiely) who were sorely missed.

New players Kristen Conboy, Marguerite Rix and Olivia Giordano quickly settled in to the team dynamic as though they had been there for the prior year. Their added dimension of speed and attacking skills were quickly rewarded with wins in the first 2 games. Gabrielle Zafonte proved to be stellar in goal turning away many shots while directing a depleted defensive line. Kristiana Pelizzoli, Elizabeth Stutzmann and Lauren Wierzel owned the mid-field while Olivia Chessman and Olivia Giordano held the defensive line. Kelly Sprotte, Jessica Gunther, Courtney Basel, Marguerite and Kristen worked the offensive zone and continually threatened the opposing defenses, breaking through and scoring often. Two of the goals in the tournament were scored by way of penalty kicks. The penalties were awarded due to the tenacity and penetration by the offense, causing the defense commit fouls in the area. The penalty kicks were both taken by Gabrielle Zafonte who contributed at both ends of the field.

The loss was on the last day and final game, on an unfortunate bounce with little time left. The girls enjoyed themselves and carried the Garden City name with pride and passion. We are all very proud of this team and look forward to growing and challenging each obstacle in the upcoming season.