Kyle Lynch on the attack". Sunday's 5-1 victory for the Garden City Gladiators over the Oyster Bay Tsunami will be remembered both for the high score count and for the large number of attempts at goal by the Gladiators. Michael Escribano was the first to draw a cheer from the crowd with a shot that missed the Oyster Bay post by inches. The Tsunami pressed back undeterred, but Gladiator keeper Danny Miller's firm block thwarted their attack. Garden City's defenders kept possession of the ball with short clean passes and soon delivered the ball into the Oyster Bay half where Kyle Lynch and Sebastian Macias supported PK Thorstenn who broke away and scored with a calculated and unflustered shot past the Tsunami keeper.

PK Thorstenn presses forward with support from Michael Escribano". The spectators were treated to some wonderful movements by the Gladiators, many of which resulted in exciting attempts on goal. In one memorable movement Brandon Badgett carried the ball forward before passing to Alex Sapuppo whose shot was deflected resulting in a corner kick. Shortly thereafter Kyle Lynch received a good cross from a combination play by Alex Sapuppo and Sebastian Macias, but the Tsunami goalie was relieved when Kyle's hard shot crossed the line inches to the outside of the post. However, the Gladiator attempts at goal were again rewarded when, 30 minutes into the first half, Michael DiRusso delivered a wonderful cross to Sean Bingham who made sure that his shot soundly beat the Tsunami goalie.

The second half started with a shock to Garden City players and spectators alike - Oyster Bay moved quickly and decisively through the Gladiators from their kick-off and scored before many of the players on the field had moved from their initial positions. True to their name, the Gladiators fought back harder than before, and scored their third goal after Alex Sapuppo passed to Brandon Badgett who broke away with Michael Escribano close behind. As he crossed into the Tsunami goal area Brandon realized he was not well positioned to beat the goalie and neatly tapped the ball to Michael Escribano who made certain of the goal.

The fourth Gladiator goal belonged to Vincent Tavernese alone; he moved quickly to intercept a Tsunami goal kick and, after a few steps towards the goal, lifted the ball over the keeper's head and into the upper left-hand corner of the net. His speed and precision under pressure drew extended applause from the crowd.

The Gladiator defense shone throughout the game, and dominated the middle of the field in the second half by anticipating the movement of play and carefully retaining possession of the ball with short passes instead of responding with long and less predictable clearance kicks. Excellent footwork also kept the Tsunami off balance; in one instance Sebastian Macias outwitted a larger defender to cross the ball to Mark Pallai who narrowly missed scoring. The Gladiators were rewarded with a fifth goal shortly before the final whistle when a sure shot by Sean Bingham was deflected by the goalie and netted by an acrobatic kick from Costa Trikas.

The Gladiators remain unbeaten after their third league game, and meet North Shore in an away game on Sunday October 1st.