The Garden City Freedom Girls Soccer Team has continually inspired me as their coach. I would like to thank Annemarie Stutzmann for bringing the team together as a unit. Her constant attention to the girls and her sometimes raucous commentary from the sideline helped energize the girls and focus their efforts on the game at hand. She has constantly put herself out to invite girls from the team (and other teams) over to her house and to activities outside of soccer. Without her this team would not be whole.

I would also like to thank John Giordano for his help on the sidelines. His constant support for the girls and their successes and miscues helped calm down the emotions of the game.

A huge amount of thanks goes out to the parents for allowing their daughters to play this great game of soccer. I know first hand how hard it is to juggle the schedules of kids, and to take them out to the multiple practices. Their support of the team and daughters on game day is an inspiration and critical to show girls the confidence that we have in them all.

About the girls:

Elizabeth Stutzmann - A natural midfielder with good foot skills. Her recent goal scoring has come about due to the tenacity of her play. She is someone who can impact the game every time she enters the field. Her smile and antics both on and off the field remind everyone that having fun is an important component of the game.

Kristen Conboy - The speed and attacking skills that Kristen possesses are a huge asset to this team. Kristen recently joined us, and has made a great impact on the entire team. She has a fantastic attitude and is a real asset to the team.

Olivia Chessman - She has saved us on so many occasions at the fullback position. Her speed and timing are impeccable. Her infectious smile keeps us all laughing. The power of her game is a constant reminder never to under estimate the heart of a girl.

Gabrielle Barcklow - Gaby has taken her game to whole new level this year. She has demonstrated the goal scoring prowess that we all knew was in her. Her power and size have resulted in many goals this season and many a defender has be left in her wake.

Gabrielle Zafonte - Gaby has been a very integral part of the team. The dilemma we had this year was whether to have her in goal or in the field. Her power is evident in how many goals she scored and assisted upon. She intimidates every opposing player by her challenges and strength. She also plays a great goalkeeper, and therein lies the dilemma.

Marguerite Rix - Marguerite is new to the team, and has made her mark this season. She has constantly been around the ball instigating plays around the oppositions net. Her skills from other sports are constantly being applied on the soccer pitch, and late in the season her power and lack of fear became evident in all the opportunities she created.

Jessica Gunther - Jesse has been a massive reason for our success this year. She stepped in and volunteered to try goalkeeper as we struggled with our dilemma. She played with all the heart we could ever have asked for and saved countless goals from some great teams. Her tenacity is matched with a great sense of humor and smile.

Kelly Sprotte - Kelly has been a great asset on the team. Her foot skills have been showcased in many games, and her season of effort has been rewarded by many classic goals. She is always around the ball when on net and makes the every opportunity count.

Courtney Basel - Courtney has also stepped up to volunteer in the goalkeeping position and along with Jesse has provided us with a great one-two punch. Her play in forward is also a huge reason for her value. She goes in to every game wanting the ball and never shies from a challenge. Her attitude is infectious and inspires the team.

Cara Durand - Cara is the quiet girl on the team. Her game however speaks loudly and volumes for her heart. She seems to always rise to the challenge of competition and plays a major anchor in our defense. Along with Olivia Chessman, they rule the backfield with an iron fist. She regularly challenges the opposition on the field, and in scrimmages against the boys she takes out her aggression by dominating the field-of-play.

Katherine Kiely - Katie has been a constant on our team. Many an opposing player has failed to pay the appropriate attention to her and paid the price. Her lack of fear in any situation contributes to the team spirit and overall unity. She was also rewarded with goals in this offensive dominated league.

Olivia Giordano - Olivia is also a new addition to the team this year. Her speed is deceiving and a huge asset. Her apparent tentativeness early in the season has been replaced with a confidence and goal scoring drive. She is one of the few players on the team who has played every position on the field (except for goalkeeper).

Lauren Wierzel - Lauren has been the heart of our team this year. Many of the games were played in her honor. She broke her wrist early in the season at the Columbus Day tournament, and still played the rest of the game. After that she showed up at every game to cheer on her team mates. Her return to the game was tremendous and her skills evident. She plays in the midfield of the team, but like all good players scores when around the net.

Kristiana Pelizzoli - It is always hard to talk about your own daughter without appearing biased. I will say that Kristi has shown me things this year that make me proud. Her power is often the subject of discussion with opposing coaches, and girls alike. Her foot skills have provided both goals and assists this season and she has anchored the midfield with Elizabeth. She has developed a great left foot and has a tremendous throw in. Her ability to play any position has allowed us as coaches to use her in many roles.

The season was a great success going 5-2-2 and ending up fourth in a tough division. We started slowly, but after the Columbus Day Tournament (which we placed 1st in!) the confidence and goals came in abundance. Our last stretch of games came against the cream of the division and we played it out scoring more goals in each game than anyone else had against the same opposition. I am eternally grateful for the opportunity to coach these girls and would recommend this experience to anyone.

I would also like to thank Rocco Morelli for training the girls and helping me understand the finer points of coaching. I can't wait to the next season.