Gabrielle Zafonte puts the ball in play off a corner kick. The GC Freedom played a very exciting game against the Hicksville Tornadoes this past Saturday, April 9th. It was the regular season opener and the girls looked great against a strong opponent. After many weeks of hard off-season training the Freedom were ready to start their season and have made noticeable improvements in their abilities to move without the ball, play with their heads up and look for open teammates at every turn. The Tornadoes scored first with a goal in the middle of the first half but the Freedom answered back, with good pressure from the forwards resulting in Kelly Sprotte pouncing on a loose ball in front of the Hicksville goal with an assist from Kristen Conboy. The Freedom midfielders and forwards comprised of Gabrielle Barcklow, Katie Kiely, Liz Stutzmann, Marguerite Rix and Lauren Wierzel kept the pressure on by driving the ball down the field with solid passes and hard shooting. The Tornadoes were able to score a second time, however the Freedom came back again with a goal by Courtney Basel with another assist by Kristen Conboy. The Freedom goalies, Kristina Pelizzoli and Jessica Gunther, made some terrific saves in the face of continuous pressure from the Tornadoes. The defense of Olivia Chessman, Cara Durand, Gabrielle Zafonte and Olivia Giordano held strong, deftly clearing the ball from the Tornadoes' attackers. Unfortunately in the final minutes of the game the Tornadoes rallied and were able to score two quick goals making the final score of 4-2 appear more lopsided than the overall tight game that was played. A great effort was made by all the girls and we are all looking forward to another wonderful season for the Freedom.

Kelly Sprotte pounces on the loose ball for a Freedom goal, with Kristen Conboy (l.), Gabrielle Barcklow (c.), and Liz Stutzmann applying pressure.