The winning team:kneeling - Olivia Zimmer, Kathryn McDougal, Meghan Rapheal, Kaitlyn Curtin, Addie Zebrowski (w/ball). Standing - Jessie Beh, Nicole Bommarito, Jenna Pasquale, Lauren Coleman, Mimi Johnson, Haley Shannon. Coaches Paul McDougal & Tony Pasquale. The Garden City Twisters and their families spent the Columbus Day weekend participating in the Paul R. Cody Columbus Day Tournament in Windsor, CT. The sunny weather and beautiful fall foliage were the perfect backdrop for a weekend of spectacular soccer.

Game one on Saturday pitted the Twisters against the West Hartford Storm. After working out the kinks from the long morning trip to Connecticut, the Twisters broke thru first with the goal on a beautiful pass from Meghan “Pebbles” Raphael to Haley Shannon. Addie Zebrowski then added two goals one on a beautiful feed by Jessie Beh and the other on a highlight worthy end to end run resulting in the final score of 3-1. Goalies Kathryn McDougal and Olivia Zimmer did their part by limiting the West Hartford attack to a lone goal.

Haley Shannon anticipating the opponents next move. Game two was against a tough Naugatauk Thunder team. Both teams played great defense and shots were at a premium. Jenna Pasquale, Mimi Johnson and Lauren Coleman continually thwarted the Thunder’s attacks on a goal with several fine clearing passes and runs. Addie took matters onto her own feet with another one of her patented run’s to score the Twisters first and only goal of the game. The Twisters continued to apply pressure from Nicole Bommarito, Kaitlyn Curtin and Jessie. The score remained 1-0 until Naugatauck scored the tying goal with about 20 seconds remaining in play. A valiant effort from both teams!!!

Meghan Raphael, watching the play and ready to get in the action. The third game of the tournament played on Sunday was an exciting one against the tournament’s home team Windsor Locks. Jessie, Kathryn, Meghan and Kaitlyn peppered the Locks’ goaltender with several shots, while Lauren fended away several of the Locks’ opportunities. After several close calls, the Twisters finally broke thru when Mimi followed her own rebound off the crossbar for the game’s only goal. The Twisters then held on with a superior defensive effort for the hard earned 1-0 win.

Jenna Pasquale, in position and ready to make a field length kick The second game on Sunday featured the Twisters and the Cromwell Chill. The Twisters, looking forward to their diner that evening with their U-10 clubmates, got busy early. After an initial tally by Addie on a wonderful feed from Haley, Jenna bent a terrific shot from the corner to the back of the net to give the Twisters their second goal. She would add another goal later as would Addie and Haley on great feeds by Olivia and Meghan. The Twisters continued with an onslaught of shots, including two post shots from Kaitlyn and several near goals by Jessie. Kathryn capped off the scoring on a big boom from the middle of the box for her first goal of the year. Meanwhile the Twister defense led by Mimi Lauren, Olivia and Meghan put a flame to the Chill attack and preserve the shutout in the 6-0 Twister victory.

Nicole Bommarito running upfield The Twisters final contest of the tournament was against a physical and bigger team from Wethersfield. Both teams came to play and had several opportunities to go ahead in the opening minutes. The Wethersfield team went ahead 1-0 on a great shot after a mad scramble in front of the Twisters net. Inspired by their zeal to finish first in the tourney, the Twisters left it all on the field for the balance of the contest. They played with purpose and controlled aggressiveness that was exemplified by a steal and shot by Haley that tied the game. Nicole made several key saves in goal in the second half to prevent the All Stars from taking the lead. Late in the game, Addie stroked a free kick over the All Star wall and over the outstretched hand of the All Star goalie to give the Twisters a 2-1 come from behind victory, complete a 4-0-1 weekend trip and earn a first place finish.