Fireballs Defeat Albertson Americans

Joanna Matuza with a booming punt. After having enjoyed their first school dance at the Middle School on Friday night, the girls came out for a 9:00 game at the Soccer Park in Plainview for a match against division rival Albertson Americans. Although they came out a little slow in the first half, the stamina and soccer skills kicked in for the second half and the Fireballs came away with a 2-0 victory. The victory puts the girls in contention for the division lead with a 5-1-1 record with 2 games remaining.

Playing at a speed slower than they normally do, the Fireballs still had the better opportunities in the first half only to see the half end scoreless. With the match being played mostly in the midfield Christina Cesarini, Christine Malhame and Maria Danza were constantly trying to drive the ball into the offensive end of the field. Several good runs by Kendall Alexander and Courtney Chmil gave GC a couple of scoring opportunities, but an active American keeper kept the ball out of the goal. The best chance for the Fireballs came on a ball that was worked deep into the corner by Kim Verderber drawing the keeper out. With a good cross into the middle Kim set Kendall up for a nice shot. Kendall chipped the ball over the recovering keeper but the back spin kept the ball from crossing the goal before a defender was able to clear it. Following that one up with another strong chance, Liz McDougal broke free down the left sideline before connecting with Kim. But the Albertson goalie came out and stopped the shot and the Fireballs were denied. On the defensive side of the ball, Michelle Rotondo, Paige Vincent and Shannon McWilliams were constantly pressuring the American forwards into mistakes and clean takeaways. While keeper Joanna Matuza was there to gather in any balls that made their way into the box.

Michelle Rotondo launches another throw in The second half saw a different Fireball team come onto the field all, Michelle Rotondo, Paige Vincent and Shannon McWilliams were constantly pressuring the American forwards into mistakes and clean takeaways. While keeper Joanna Matuza was there to gatheffects of all the dancing from the night before. And it paid off early in the half as Kendall Alexander worked the ball into the left corner forcing a Fireball corner kick. Christina Cesarini took the corner and called out the play, a quick pass to Kendall on the end line. Kendall did a great job controlling the ball and made a perfect return pass on her second touch. With a head of steam, Christina fired a beautiful ball to the far post, where a well positioned Courtney Chmil buried the ball for a 1-0 Fireball lead. A lead that the girls would not relinquish. About 10 minutes later, with the ball staying deep in the Americans area, the Fireballs came up with another loose ball and the insurance goal. This time it was Maria Danza at the top of the circle, who got controlled of the ball and launched a shot into the upper 90 to make the score 2-0. Playing solid defense the remainder of the game, the Fireballs did not face any real pressure as Michelle, Christine and Adair Alexander controlled the middle of the field. Garden City had several more chances stopped by the Americans keeper as Alex Rooney and Alexa Kentfield worked the ball in from either side and Megan Walsh pressured the ball up the middle. As the final seconds ticked off the clock, the Fireballs once again would come out on top with a terrific second half proving that conditioning can make the difference. The girls return to St. Paul’s tomorrow at 1:20 versus East Islip. Good Luck!

Christina Cesarini marking tightly

Kendall Alexander with the take away Courtney Chmil tracks back defensively Liz McDougal carries through the midfield Christine Malhame blasts the goal kick