Fireballs Tie Plainedge

Kim Verderber carries the ball The Fireballs knew that they would be in a battle this week as they faced an undefeated Plainedge Tornadoes team. And they were right, playing a team with very similar style as themselves they came away with a well earned 0-0 tie. For all those non soccer loving fans, this was a great game to watch – even though it was scoreless. The control of the game seesawed back and forth with each team claiming an advantage for parts of both halves. However, both teams had defenses and keepers that came up with the necessary stops when it counted. Although the Tornadoes can also thank the right post for making a critical save on a shot midway through the first half.

Joanna Matuza grabs the loose ball With GC controlling the early action, the girls continually pushed the ball forward working both corners of the field. Outside midfielders Courtney Chmil and Kendall Alexander were aggressively working the sidelines trying to put forwards Maria Danza and Liz McDougal in scoring position but a collapsing Plainedge defense held strong. The best scoring chance came on a break down the right sideline as Courtney got the ball ahead to Maria. Beat the last defender to the goal line, Maria was able to drive the ball across the goal mouth past the Tornadoes keeper. Getting to the ball but on a tough angle, Kendall was able to put a foot on the ball but her shot struck the post squarely and rebounded out. The ensuing scramble in front was eventually cleared and Plainedge had survived a great play from the Fireballs.

Christina Cesarini takes the ball out of the air Working unbelievably hard in the midfield was Christina Cesarini and Christine Malhame keeping the pressure in the offensive end of the field. After 20 minutes of the Fireballs controlling play the advantage began to turn to Plainedge. But as has been the case this young season, the Fireball defense stood up to the challenge. Outside defenders Kim Verderber and Shannon McWilliams had tremendous games keeping the ball wide and making some terrific turns up the sideline. On the occasions that the ball got through it was either sweeper Michelle Rotondo clearing the area or keeper Joanna Matuza coming out to grab the loose balls. And although the last 10 minutes were controlled by Plainedge the half ended scoreless.

Maria Danza with speed takes the ball wind The second half started with Plainedge coming out a little more aggressive than GC, trying to take the game at the Fireballs. However, the defense continually didn’t allow the Tornadoes any good looks at the goal and effectively denied their shots. Time and again either Shannon would turn away a challenge down the sideline, Adair Alexander would clear a ball through the middle, Christine would block a set up pass, Megan Walsh would challenge the 50-50 ball or Christina would gain control and distribute the ball the other way. The girls were effectively keeping the second half played in the middle of the field. After playing defensively for the first 15 – 18 minutes of the half, the Fireballs began to push the ball into the attacking area. Taking advantage of several long throws by Michelle, GC got down to the 18 yard line for another throw and a late chance for a game winning goal. With a good throw into the box the ball found Alex Rooney who had a chance to get the ball to Alexa Kentfield. Alexa got into good position and fired a hard shot that just went wide of an untended side of the goal. The game remained scoreless for the next couple of minutes and the Fireballs came away with the 0-0 tie. Although only picking up a point, the girls and their coaches knew that this was a match that could have gone either way. The girls will take next weekend off from regular league play to venture up to Windsor, Ct. for a Columbus Day Tournament.

GC JV Football Defeats Elmont

By Roger Mancusi

On Saturday, October 2 nd, the JV football team faced the Elmont Spartans. Elmont had just come off a tough loss to Lawrence, and was hungry for a win. Garden City’s defense would have to contain the Elmont running backs, if they planned on coming out on top.

GC won the toss and chose to start off with the ball. After a first down run by Sophomore Running Back Tim McGlaughlin, the GC offense was forced to punt. Kicker Blaise Ancona put his leg behind one and landed Elmont’s offense on their own 3-yard line. On the linebacker blitz, the defensive line caused a fumble and Freshman Roger Mancusi jumped on the loose ball. GC’s offense took over, and immediately put it in the end zone on a 3-yard run by Will Manning. This gave Garden City the early lead of 7-0 with 8 minutes left in the first quarter.

The rest of the first half was full of defensive stands and offensive struggles. Yet Garden City did have some big plays, with sophomores Tim Harder and Ryan Sweeney pulling in big catches for large gains. With 1:36 left in the first, Elmont had moved down the field on GC’s defense, but GC switched to the Goal Line Defense, and put a stop to Elmont’s drive. On what might be the most important play on defense of the game, Freshman Francis “Spike” McDonough stripped the ball from the Elmont running back. Not only did he put an abrupt end to Elmont’s drive, but he also had a strong return to get GC out of the shadows of their own goalposts. The half ended with Garden City on top 7-0.

The second half opened up with Elmont possessing the ball. GC’s defense forced a punt with a return by Tim Harder. The Garden City drive pushed down to Elmont’s red zone, or past their own 20-yard line. To strike first in the second half, Freshman Running Back Dan Savage ran the ball in for another score. With the kick by Ancona, the score stood as 14-0.

When the Spartans took possession, their offense was gaining solid yardage, until Roger Mancusi intercepted one of their passes. He returned the ball to Elmont’s 45-yard line. Multiple outstanding runs by Will Manning can best summarize the next offensive. His twenty-yard run was followed by a fifteen-yard run and capped by a seven-yard touchdown run. The score after the kick was 21-0 GC as the 3 rd Quarter ended.

When GC next forced a punt, Elmont tried to catch the Trojans off guard, and ran a fake punt. The kicker attempted a pass, but fell short, and gave GC the ball with good field position. Owen Ludeman had a good carry to give the offense another first down. Unfortunately, the field goal was missed, so Elmont got the ball. After a facemask penalty against Elmont, their offense was very close to their own end zone. An attempt to get out of the situation that no offense wants to be in fell short when key defensive player Francis McDonough tackled the Elmont quarterback on their own one-yard line. On the very next play, McDonough tackled the running back in the end zone, forcing a safety and giving GC another 2 points, bringing the score to 23-0 Garden City with 5 minutes left in the game.

Tim Harder had another good return to midfield and GC’s offense just ran the clock down until the end of the game. Garden City had won its third game of the season; with an average of only having 2 points scored on them a game. It was also the team’s second shut out in a row. The team’s next game is vs. Calhoun High School Saturday October 9 th at 9:30. The game will be played at Calhoun.