Happy faces after the 2-0 win. After waiting for what seemed like months, hey it was, the soccer season finally kicked off. And the weather was very accommodating. For the past three seasons, the Fireballs have continued their march to always take their game to the next level - both individually and as a team. So this season is like each of the others they have played, bringing with it much stiffer competition in a new division. The girls lined up on Saturday against the Commack Starz, an opponent that they had only faced once before in a tournament. The girls had the GC sideline smiling after a hard fought 2-0 victory.

The match was a fierce battle for most of the 60 minutes, with both teams creating chances throughout. The first half was evenly played with Commack having their best chances early on. The Fireball defense held strong, forcing the Starz to shoot from outside the box. Containing Commack and not giving them much room were outside backs Paige Vincent, Shannon McWilliams, sweeper Michelle Rotondo and stopper Christine Malhame. And when the shots got through, Joanna Matuza was there to grab them.

Christina Cesarini carries through the midfield. At the other end of the field, GC was working the ball deep into the corners and coming up with some terrific crosses that were just missing their target and the goal. Shots came from Liz McDougal, Kim Verderber and Kendall Alexander, with probably the best chance coming off the foot of Courtney Chmil that had the sideline cheering because they thought the ball was in the net. Unlucky, the ball had struck the Starz goalie and caromed out of the box. The girls also had several chances off of Christina Cesarini corner kicks but were denied by an active Commack keeper.

Kendall Alexander with plenty of support. As the second half started the Fireballs picked up the play and kept the ball in their offensive end of the field for most of the 30 minutes. Working in the middle of the field, Christina, Maria Danza and Adair Alexander continually forced the ball deep or played the ball to the outside for runs down the sideline. With about 10 minutes left in the game and the Fireballs swarming, the girls finally broke through. Getting a call for a free kick just outside the box. Lining up for the kick was Christine Malhame who fired a shot over the wall and keeper but into the crossbar. The ball looked to have gone over the line as it came down, but to ensure the call of a goal, Liz McDougal buried the ball into the back of the net for a 1-0 Fireball lead. Not letting up the girls looked to add to the lead and did so about two minutes later. On a nice series of passes that had Christina freeing up Megan Walsh on the left sideline for a strong run into the box and a beautiful cross, Alexa Kentfield was in position to play the ball off of a defender for the 2-0 lead. Another second half victory continues to demonstrate the success the girls have had because of their training regime. Even they have to believe that those suicide drills at the end of practice are working in their favor.

Maria Danza works the ball out. On Sunday the Fireballs came back for another great day of soccer against a familiar rival - the Valley Stream Liberty in a Waldbaum's Cup match. This game did not have the same ending, although the girls played a very strong game and had numerous chances to put it away. In another very strong showing the Fireball defense held the Liberty to very few chances in the game. Containing them on the outside were the duo of Paige and Shannon, while Michelle and Christine tracked down any through balls in the middle of the field and turned them back up field. As in Saturday's game, the game breaker came on a direct free kick, only this time it was awarded to Valley Stream just outside the box. The Liberty player struck a perfect ball over the Fireball wall and the outstretched arms of keeper Joanna for a 1-0 lead with about 8 minutes left in the first half.

Paige Vincent goes airborne for the ball. The second half saw the Fireballs come out with something to prove and they gave it their all for 30 minutes. Controlling a significant amount of the play, the girls pressed forward, often times adding their midfielders to the offensive mix and leaving their defense exposed. But the tying goal would not come. Christine fired several shots that either the keeper made the save on or just missed tucking in under the cross bar. Courtney and Cez continually fought through the midfield only to have the attack thwarted by a packed in Valley Stream defense. Pushing everyone forward for the last five minutes of the game, the Fireballs thought they had the game tied as it appeared the Liberty keeper reached into the goal to pull a ball back across the line and used the left goal post for support. However the ref signaled play on and the game continued. As the final whistle blew, the girls were disappointed - but only by the final score, definitely not the way they played. As we have learned watching this team, they leave it all on the field and battle together right up until the final whistle. Their next match is back at St. Paul's at 10:00 against another solid opponent, the Lake Grove Storm. Good luck with the regular season.