"Michael DiRusso jumps to intercept a corner kick as Sean Bingham, Brandon Badgett, Danny Miller and Sean Proctor prepare to cover the goal". Before the end of the first ten minutes of Sunday's battle between the undefeated Garden City Gladiators and the North Shore Xtreme, each of the teams' keepers had been called upon to handle the ball several times, an indication of each teams' desire to score early in the contest to remain undefeated atop of Division 3. The Xtreme's keeper just stopped a solid shot from PK Thorstenn, off a pass from Michael Escribano, right on his goal line. Shortly thereafter the Gladiator's keeper Danny Miller was called on to save a high ball from an Xtreme attack.

"Vincent Tavernese heads a ball to Sean Bingham with a dramatic leap". PK Thorstenn had a second attempt on goal from a well-positioned pass by Sean Bingham whose accurate kick sailed over the heads of several of the Xtreme's defenders. Shortly after this attack PK Thorstenn was again involved in a hard drive forward when he chipped the ball over the Xtreme midfield to Michael Escribano who carried the ball well into the opponent's half of the field, passing it back to PK who had kept pace to support the attack. A corner kick was awarded at the end of this drive, and Sean Proctor delivered the ball into the Xtreme goal mouth where Garden City and North Shore heads were lifted in an effort to deflect the ball into or out of the goal.

"Michael Escribano breaks away from the Xtreme defenders". Garden City continued to control the game for the middle fifteen minutes of the first half, as mid-fielders Kyle Lynch, Michael DiRusso, Mark Pallai, Sebastian Macias and Alex Sapuppo led the attack, distributing the ball to the outside of the field and carrying it deep into the Xtreme's territory. North Shore recovered and fought back, periodically aiming long opportunistic kicks at the Gladiator goal. One particularly long and hard kick originated over 22 yards from the Gladiator goal, and required that keeper Danny Miller jump high into the air to prevent an otherwise sure goal. The Xtreme used their advantage to keep the Gladiators on the defensive, and Garden City struggled to clear the ball or keep possession beyond the middle of the field. Several dangerous Xtreme corner kicks had prompted sharp intakes of breath for the Garden City supporters, but none resulted in a goal as the Gladiator defense of Double "B" Brandon Badgett, Nick Fusco, Sean Callahan, Yohei Yamauchi and Sean Proctor fought back resolutely.

"Costa Trikas prepares to block a clearance kick while Sean Bingham remains close to provide support". Once Garden City was able to press into the North Shore half of the field they were rewarded with their first goal. It started with one of Brandon Badgett's renowned deep throws from the side line to PK Thorstenn, who dribbled the ball deep into the Xtreme's right corner before crossing it neatly into the Xtreme goal mouth where Vincent Tavernese was well positioned to chip the ball into the net to applause from the crowd.

As in their previous game however, the Garden City lead was short-lived. North Shore struck back immediately after some confusion at the time of the center kick, and were soon tied with the Gladiators after a remarkable jump for a header by a Gladiator defender was unfortunately unable to clear the ball from the entrance to the goal. The Gladiators were not discouraged, and moved back into the attack to dominate the remainder of the first half with their now characteristic mix of short, controlled passes and chips over their opponents' heads to their strikers.

The Xtreme started the second half deep in Gladiator territory. Sean Callahan and Costa Trikas were called upon to diffuse different North Shore attacks by kicking the ball out over the side-line, and Gladiator keeper Danny Miller had to push into a seeming throng of Xtreme jerseys to recover the ball on more than one occasion. Garden City's forays into the Xtreme half were quickly diffused, and the Gladiator defenders were kept busy by their opponents. However, some exceptions to this flow of play drew cheers from the crowd. In one instance, keeper Danny Miller cleared the ball to the middle of the field where Vincent Tavernese deftly tamed the bounce and lifted the ball to a spot just ahead of a fast moving Michael Escribano who drove into the Xtreme goal area. Michael's kick went just to the right of the North Shore goal, much to the relief of the Xtreme's supporters.

Garden City's perseverance was rewarded ten minutes into the half when Costa Trikas and Sean Bingham partnered to bring the ball into the corner of the North Shore goal area. Costa Trikas's nimble pass back and to the center of the area found the again well positioned Vincent Tavernese whose second goal of the day returned the Gladiators to the lead.

Defenders from both teams were repeatedly called upon to perform remarkable feats to prevent further scoring. The Xtreme keeper had to dive on two separate occasions to stop otherwise sure goals by Sean Bingham and Michael Escribano. And in one tense Xtreme attack, Sean Callahan stretched his leg further than seemed possible to deflect a particularly dangerous play in the Gladiator goal area.

A little over twenty minutes into the second half the emotions of Garden City supporters were again tested when a penalty was awarded to North Shore after a ball deflected from the elbow of a Gladiator defender on the edge of the goal area. A collective sigh of relief was heard from the Garden City supporters and coaches alike when the Xtreme kick passed harmlessly over the Gladiator goal's cross bar.

With about five minutes of the game remaining, the Gladiators' determination was again rewarded after a display of remarkable reflexes by Michael DiRusso, Costa Trikas and Vincent Tavernese. After a barely blocked shot at the goal from Michael DiRusso, a ricochet off the Xtreme's left upright, several headers and kicks by both Garden City and North Shore players, Michael DiRusso ended the play by twisting to drive the ball hard into the Xtreme's net to the prolonged applause of the Garden City supporters.

With a 3-1 lead Garden City dominated the remainder of the game, keeping possession of the ball and continuing to pressure the North Shore defense. The game ended with a victory for the Gladiators, their fourth win in as many league games.

The Gladiators travel to Windsor, CT, this weekend for the 20th Anniversary Paul R. Cody Columbus Day Tournament where they will face teams from the northeast in five games over three days. The Gladiator parents and supporters wish the players and coaches - Vinnie Fusco, Mike Lynch and Dave Pallai - a successful and fun-filled tournament.1