Jessie Stein takes a pass from Elizabeth Malhame Despite rain, high winds and cool temperatures, the Strikers assemble at St. Paul's Field to start the spring season opener which happened to be a Walbaum's Cup game. Their opponents were the Port Washington Hurricanes. I am sure it will be a day remembered for both teams as the weather played a role in the match for which it made playing a very unusual challenge due to the high winds for both teams. The only good part with the weather was the rain had stopped for the entire game.

Both teams had to deal with these winds which could help or hurt you. The goaltenders Katie Trimmer in the first half and Marisa Cameron in the second half had their work cut out for them dealing with the high, lofty shots on goal jumping, scooping and slapping balls out of the net. They both made some terrific plays and stopped some good shots by the Hurricanes and prevented the score. The defense worked hard in pushing the ball as the wind was blowing across the field. They had to run faster than usual in order to divert balls away from the Hurricane's offense, who cleverly were taking every advantage they had. Elizabeth Malhame, Darcy McGuire and Maggie Kiley did some nice foot work back there and made some really good plays as well. Guess that conditioning training is paying off because the girls did their job defending their end. Near the end of the first half, Megan Martinelli scored the first goal for the Strikers with an assist from Kathryn Montgomery. Shortly afterward, mid fielder Jillian Yoo took a shot on goal that hit the cross bar and went over the net. A tough break for Jillian but excellent effort for trying to score. Lastly in the mid section is Jessie Stein and Maggie Comiskey. Today Jessie was like magic, being in the right place at the right time keeping the ball away from the Hurricanes and moving the ball well down field. Jessie also made attempts on goal but the winds made the ball slice to side of the net. Maggie also was on top of the ball with some excellent passing to the forwards. Maggie contributed some excellent offensive plays to shake up the Hurricanes defensive team. The half ended with the Strikers leading by the score of 1 - 0.

Kathryn Montgomery passing ball to Megan Martinelli for the first score. In the second half, with some guidance on strategy from the coaching staff during halftime, the Strikers took the field and never looked back. The forwards Taylor Hennig, Colleen Metzler and Kathryn Montgomery were just all over the field with great running speed and determination to keep control of the ball. They made several shots on goal and the cross wind being a factor contributed to the balls running wide and to the side of the net. Minutes into the second half Megan Martinelli again ran up field and scored another goal with an assist from Jessie Stein. Minutes later here comes Colleen Metzler and takes a shot from the left side of the field and scores with an assist from Jenna Fuchs. With only minutes left in the second half, the Strikers knew they were in control and a win was almost guaranteed. They knew that all they had to do was keep control of the ball. That they did and the game ends with the score The Garden City Strikers-3 and the Port Washington Hurricanes-0. The Strikers will now move on and advance to the second round of the Walbaum's Cup. Next week The Strikers play a league game away challenging Rockville Centre at 12:20 PM.

Colleen Metzler scoring the third goal for the Strikers. The parents join the coaches Bill Metzler, Tom Trimmer, Jim McGuire and Chris Fuchs in encouraging the Strikers to continue to work hard and remember to leave everything you got on the field at game time and good things will happen. In a quote that was given to the Strikers before the start of the season by Robert Schuller: "Never sell tomorrow short. There's plenty to get excited about. Be filled with expectation, hope and confidence. Believe something good is going to happen, and it usually will."

Taylor Hennig controlling the ball and moving downfield. Good luck Strikers next week and keep up the good work. We all are proud of you!