The Garden City Thunderbolts, boys U11, are out to a good start this fall season with a third place finish in the annual East Meadow Ref-Fuel Tournament followed by a win in the first round of the State Cup. The boys are also undefeated in division two of the LIJSL with two wins and a tie in the first three weeks of play.

As a primer to the fall season, the Thunderbolts participated in the annual East Meadow Ref-Fuel tournament, a three day event played in the dog days of August.

The Thunderbolts, strengthened this year with the addition of Michael Caravello, Ryan Costigan, Patrick Kehogh and Matt Leto, had a respectable outing with 3 wins and two loses overall placing third in their division.

On the first day of the tournament the boys were scheduled to face the Cold Spring Harbor/Huntington Eagles and a team from Mineola. Although the first game against Cold Spring Harbor was close, the boys pulled out the win by a score of one to nothing. However, it was evident the Thunderbolts were just getting warmed up in the first game coming out strong in their second game against an outclassed team from Mineola defeating them by a score of 6 to 0.

The boys again came out strong in their first game of the second day of the tournament defeating Sound Beach Arsenal by a score of 2 to 1.

However, the fourth and fifth games of the tournament would be tough ones for the Thunderbolts as they were scheduled to play teams from Merrick and Massapequa, expected to be tough opponents. Unfortunately, the Thunderbolts fell to the Merrick Lighting, 3 to 1; and then again on the following day to the Massapequa Avalanche by a score of 2 to 1.

Although the Thunderbolts had three wins and two losses; combined with their eleven goals for and just 5 goals against was good enough for a third place finish.

Following the Labor Day holiday, the boys began their LIJSL season on Saturday, September 10, 2005 against a team from Floral Park. The Thunderbolts parlayed the momentum from their Ref-Fuel success with a decisive win over their Floral Park rivals whom they easily defeated by a score to 4 to 1.

Jack Metzler broke the ice with the first goal of the regular season. Kevin Mercadente, Kyle Ritchie and Brian Badgett seemed to move the ball at will setting up the first goal. It didn't take long for Brian Pratt to add two more goals to the score board on persistent ball control and precise passing by Matt Leto, Patrick Keogh and Kyle Walsh.

Jake Menges and Brian Defliese proved to be a wall on defense preventing many offensive advances against Ryan Costigan who was tending to the nets.

William White added the insurance goal on a nice feed from Michael Caravello.

The second week of the season promised to feature a close match between the Thunderbolts and an evenly matched team from Jericho. True to the advance billing, the game was evenly plaed by both teams and the game ended in a 1 - 1 tie. The Thunderbolts' only goal came on a breakaway goal by Kevin Mercadente. Ryan Costigan again tending to the nets made some tremendous saves which were undoubtedly instrumental in preserving the tie.

On Sunday, September 18th, the Thunderbolts played in the first round of the State Cup easily defeating a team from North Port/Cow Harbor by a score of 8 to 0. Truly a team effort on offense, goals were scored by Brian Pratt, who had two goals; Jack Metzler; Kyle Ritchie; Kevin Mercadente; Jake Menges; Brian Badgett and Micheal Caravello on flawless passing from William White; Matt Leto and Patrick Keogh. Once again Kyle Walsh and Brian DeFliese proved to be a wall in front of Ryan Costigan who was virtually untested in the match.

Lucky for Ryan Costigan, Kyle Walsh has yet to be beat on a breakaway surely thwarting any attack which may have been mounted by the visiting team.

This past weekend on a picture perfect Saturday afternoon, the Thunderbolts out played their opponents from Franklin Square defeating them by a score of 6 to 1. Patrick Keogh and Michael Caravello were tireless in their drive for the goal providing many scoring opportunities for the Thunderbolts. William White was able to capitalize on such offensive drives early in the contest by scoring back to back goals in the first ten minutes of play. Jack Metzler added the third goal on some fancy footwork by Brian Badgett and Brian Pratt who set up the score. It didn't take long for Kevin Mercadente to convert making the score 4 - nil at the end of the first half.

Ryan Costigan, relinquishing goal tending duties, proceeded to score a beautiful goal to start the second half.

Maintaining control of the ball throughout the second half Matt Leto, Brian DeFliese, Jake Menges and Kyle Walsh moved the ball beautifully from side to side, back to front and back again. Consistently there to receive the passes and move forward were Kyle Ritchie and Michael Caravello.

In the waning minutes of the game Franklin Square got possession of the ball in front of Garden City's goal and was able to put one in the back of the net amidst of a mad scramble.

Brian Badgett could not be contained and quickly countered with a beautiful ending the game with a final score of 6 to 1.

Every single Thunderbolt, including Brian Badgett; Michael Caravello, Ryan Costigan; Brian DeFeliese; Patrick Keogh;

Matt Leto; Jake Menges; Kevin Mercadente; Jack Metzler; Brian Pratt; Kyle Ritchie; Kyle Walsh; and William White; has contributed to the success of the team thus far and should be congratulated. Coaches Metzler, Menges and Pratt are especially proud of the way the boys are moving the ball and the way they have come together as a team.

Go Thunderbolts!!!