This past Saturday, on a beautiful fall day, the Garden City Thunderbolts, boys U11, took the field against a tough squad from Hewlett Lawrence winning by a score of 4 to 1 and extending their undefeated streak in division two play to 4 games.

Although the Thunderbolts fell behind 1 to 0 on an early goal by the Hewlett attack the boys quickly regained control of the ball and countered on a beautiful goal by Brian Pratt who stealthfully moved the ball up the right side after recieving a perfect lead pass from Kevin Mercadente. Brian sent the ball flying into the bottom far corner to even the score at 1.

Although the Thunderbolts had several additional scoring opportunities in the first half, the Hewlett Lawrence goalie came up with some nice saves and some really big clears to keep the Thunderbolts at bay and the score tied.

Jack Metzler and Michael Caravello had some nice shots on goal and worked tirelessly intercepting passes and then converting to their teammates maintaining the pressure on the HL defense and goalie.

Kyle Walsh, Jake Menges, Matt Leto, Brian DeFliese and Patrick Keogh were instrumental in keeping the ball out of the defensive end for the first and second halfs. With endless energy they always beat their opponents to the ball and then found their outlet pass creating the offensive opportunities which followed.

The determined and consistent defensive play of these boys along with the exceptional goal tending of Ryan Costigan thus far this season accounts for the team's low goals against tally of just four goals.

An impressive statistic considering that the first and second place teams have each given up 9 goals already.

When the Hewlett Lawrence squad did break through, Ryan Costigan was in goal to make the save. In fact, a few of his saves had him diving or puching at the balls which looked to be certain goals for Hewlett. The GC crowd was on their feet cheering and the Hewlett Lawrence fans were left scratching their heads in wonder. `

No doubt, the score would have been closer had it not been for the terrific goal tending of Ryan Costigan.

The Thunderbolts came out swinging in the second half with two unassisted goals, the first by William White and the second by Kevin Mercadente, with an insurance goal on a line drive by Brian Badgett.

William White took a pass on a throw in from Brian DeFliese on the right side of the field about mid field and dribbled his way into the corner where he turned the ball and took a rocket shot on goal. Unable to stop the shot, the goalie deflected the ball into the net making the score 2 to 1.

It wasn't long before speedster Kyle Walsh, who had stripped a HL player of the ball in our defensive zone, found Kevin Mercadente in the midfield setting the Thunderbolts up for their third goal of the game.

Kevin took the ball and despite three very physical HL defenders hacking at his heels was able to pound a shot on net scoring the Thunderbolts' 3rd goal.

Patrick Keogh, Brian Defliese and Jake Menges, with Kyle Walsh sweeping, worked hard to keep the ball out of the defensive zone thwarting any counter attacks by the HL offense.

Late in the second half Matt Leto challenged a HL player taking the ball away with seemingly little effort and found an open Brian Badgett. Brian took a few steps faking out an HL defender then letting one rip from the top of the box scoring the insurance goal.

The Thunderbolts maintained the pressure on the visiting team throughout the second half and kept them from mounting a serious offensive strike throughout the game.

The team missed the stand out play of Kyle Ritchie who always serves as a anchor for the Thunderbolts in the attack. He will return to the line-up this week after participating in a weekend baseball tournament where he is also one heck of a pitcher and slugger.

This weekend the Thunderbolts are off to Connecticut for some soccer excitement and fall fun with their Connecticut rivals in the annual Paul R. Cody Columbus Day Tournament hosted by the Windsor Soccer Club.

Good Luck and Go Thunderbolts!!!