The U-11 T-Bird Travel Soccer Team Coached by Bob Hugel faced Manorville last Sunday afternoon in an intense State Cup game that ended at dusk. Garden City had to recover from two uncharacteristic Saturday outings in which the T-Birds failed to play up to their potential as a team. They flew into high gear and sent a message to the talented east-enders that this was their house at St. Pauls Field and they were determined to shake off any demons of weeks past.

If successful, the T-Birds would ironically face the Garden City Jaguars coached by Janice Bruno who were undefeated in regular season games last Spring.

Five of the current T-Birds (Tim Halaby, Marc Schwendemann, Tom Holbrook, Chris Thomas and net keeper Tyler Biscone) were members of that incredible Jaguar team last season that made it to the finals of the single elimination Waldbaum's Cup Final!

Coach Hugel took some drastic measures to elicit top performance from the T-Birds and his strategy paid off as his team played not just as a bunch of talented individuals, but rather as a cohesive unit. The defense shined as they broke up numerous scoring opportunities created by Manorville. Biscone had some key saves and powerful punts mixed with some precise hand passes to feed his middies and strikers. Mike LeMonda was outstanding, as usual, with a powerful and precise boot that halted numerous Manorville attacks. LeMonda continues to be the backbone of the T-Bird defense. Mike Perotta also demonstrated great hustle and ability and was instrumental in breaking the opponents rhythm.

Huge defensive contributions were also made by Stefan Hugel, Marc Schwendemann and Chris Thomas. They are three tough and determined players.

On the offense, Matt Greco was supercharged with speed and superior ball handling. He seemed to come up with the ball nearly every time there was a challenge and demonstrated his ability to find the back of the net as well. Greco scored two goals, one on a perfectly placed low- flying blast to the lower left corner of the net. The Manorville net keeper didn't even have time to flinch. Chris Thomas scored a goal of his own with a kick so hard that it looked as if the ball was going to penetrate the net! Dan Smith had some nice shots on goal that looked destined to score giving the visiting team quite a few scares. Perotta and Hugel were also responsible for keeping the offensive pressure on, as was Jon Kramer who demonstrated some incredible passing skills. Kramer is yet another T-Bird that showed big hustle and high intensity.

Despite the lead that the T-Birds had in the final minutes of regulation time, Manorville tied at 3-3 tie forcing a double overtime. Dan Smith relieved Biscone as net keeper giving him the opportunity to strut his field skills at offense. Smith stopped some powerful Manorville shots on goal and had some big punts of his own. Biscone came up with some awesome headers and had an opportunity to demonstrate his offensive prowess with all-out physical style of play. Likewise, Hugel, Kramer and LeMonda refused to be pushed around.

While this writer is completely biased and would love to tell you that the T-Birds will be facing the Jaguars in the next cup game, it simply did not happen that way. The painful truth is that Manorville scored in the final moments of the second overtime to avoid the shootout and win the game. All was not lost as the malaise is clearly over and the T-Birds played to a much higher level showing their true potential and foreshadowing great things to come as they prepare for the Columbus Day Weekend Tournament in Windsor Connecticut. Good luck to the Jaguars both in Windsor and as they face Manorville. Once again, keep up the hard work T-Birds and fly high!