Daredevils Win U10 Girls Tournament
The Garden City Daredevils - Top Row: Jane Frumberg, Maggie Bill, Kelsey Tierney, Carly Knowles, Jacqueline Jahelka and Lucy Donahue. Bottom Row: Victoria Piscopo, Taylor Pappas, Courtney Studdert, Elizabeth Furman and Brynne Murphy.
With parents in tow the Garden City Daredevils commuted to Massapequa for their annual Lincoln Page Memorial Day tournament. The Daredevils were registered to play in the highly competitive Gold bracket against teams from Brooklyn, New Jersey, Suffolk and Nassau County. As the ominous black clouds gave way to clear blue skies, everyone knew they were in for an enjoyable weekend of soccer.
The first game against the Dix Hills Extreme was a prototypical Daredevil game. They started out with an all out offensive attack that led to a goal by Courtney Studdert within the first couple of minutes. With the lead they fell back into a strong defensive posture. Fullbacks Brynne Murphy, Taylor Pappas and Bitty Furman along with stopper/sweeper Maggie Bill forced the play to the Extreme's side of the field. The Extreme eventually gave into the pressure and Carly Knowles fired in the second goal. With a 2-0 led and Kelsey Tierney in goal the game was in hand. The Daredevils went on the win the opener 3-0.
Jacqueline, Maggie and Carly celebrate Maggie's winning goal!
The second game was the highly anticipated match up against the N.J. Americans. After a three hour hiatus the girls were ready to play. As were the Americans who arrived with plenty of support that included model/actress Carol Alt. The Daredevils once again started out quickly. With the starting whistle they did a quick give and go that resulted in a Carly Knowles goal. After that the Americans settled down and played an outstanding game.
Brynne takes on Dix Hill's defender.
The pace of the game was very fast with both teams showing off their speed. Halfbacks' Courtney Studdert, Jacqueline Jahelka, Lucy Donahue and Jane Frumberg were working overtime to contain the Americans. Once the halfbacks released, the Americans were quickly picked up by Bitty Furman, Maggie Bill and Taylor Pappas who did an awesome job of shutting the Americans down. Even their efforts couldn't stop the Americans from getting off some shots on goal. One shot in particular was ripped toward the corner of the net where the Daredevils fearless goalie Kelsey Tierney blocked it away. The Daredevils went on to win the highly spirited game 1-0.
Jane heads down the field with the ball.
Sunday brought more sunshine and soccer. In the first game the Daredevils dismantled the Brooklyn Blizzards 3-0. The game was highlighted with goals by Jacqueline Jahelka and Lucy Donahue. For the third straight game the Daredevils blanked their opponent.
Bitty with a strong throw-in.
With a 3-0 record thus far the Daredevils needed to win the afternoon game to clinch the first place in the tournament. The Dix Hill Flash having tied their previous game was hungry for a win. Their defense played extremely well challenging a relentless Daredevil team that kept on bringing the pressure. On one play Courtney Studdert crossed the ball to Carly Knowles who fired a rocket from 20 feet out that the Flash goalie made an extraordinary play on.
Courtney stretches for a score!
With the action going back and forth and with time winding down it appeared the Daredevils were going to have to settle for a 0-0 tie. While that may have been the mindset of most, Maggie Bill knew she wasn't done. With less than two minutes left, she took a ball from about 35 feet out and launched it high in the air, as parents and players watched on, the ball floated into the upper right hand corner of the goal inches above the outstretched hands of the Flash goalie. With that goal the Daredevils went on to win the game and clinch first place in the tournament.
