Megan Zarriello with perfect form With the rain finally ending the Fireballs had to deal with the heavy winds and the powerful Tornadoes from Plainedge. But deal with it they did, coming up with a tremendous 2-1 victory in the closing minute of the match. For the second week in a row, the Fireballs came up with the winning goal in the last minute of the game.

Last week, the girls were in Connecticut at the annual Windsor Columbus Day Tournament. The tourney was ultimately cancelled because of the inclement weather (that's an understatement), but they got their first game in. Playing in torrential rains, the Fireballs would not let their spirit get doused, and came up with a terrific goal at the end of the game as Megan Zarriello and Meaghan Walsh combined for the winner. Megan Z. worked the ball to the top of the box and was in position for a shot but had the ball get sucked into the mud. Quickly looking up, she saw a streaking Meaghan W. to her right and laid the ball out perfectly. Meaghan struck the ball on the run and put it into the upper ninety for the game winner. The entire team played terrific despite the conditions and got back to their winning ways with the 2-1 victory. Building on the camaraderie of playing together for the past three years, the girls enjoyed a night at the bowling alley, joined by four other girls teams and a couple of party crashers from Exit 49 (the Gladiators). Although they didn't get to have their team party on Sunday night, the girls enjoyed their time together.

Courtney Chmil is first to the ball - again! Keeping the momentum going the girls came back for their league match last Sunday against rival Plainedge. Top to bottom, the girls contributed in this game, playing from the first minute to the last. Knowing that they were facing a physical team that challenged every loose ball, the Fireballs had to come out strong and play to their strength - using quick ball movement, running the sidelines and a swarming defense. The first 15 minutes saw the game go back and forth with the Fireball midfielders Christina Cesarini, Kendall Alexander and Courtney Chmil and stoppers Christine Malhame and Shannon McWilliams working hard to maintain control of the ball. However, on a quick counterattack after a steal at midfield, the Tornadoes were able to beat the Fireballs and get the first score of the game. Our girls got right back into the match as their strong efforts was rewarded when Courtney was sent down the right sideline with a well played ball out of the defensive end by Kim Verderber. First making a move around the midfielder and then taking on the outside defender, Courtney was able to drive into the box and get off a hard low shot that eluded the keeper and put the Fireballs on the board. Continuing to press for the go ahead goal, the Fireballs continued to work the sidelines with Alex Rooney, Christina and Megan. The best chance came off the foot of Liz McDougal who fired a shot from the top of the box that was stopped by a terrific save by the Plainedge keeper. At the other end of the field, the Fireballs defense held strong in front of keeper Joanna Matuza, who came up with several good saves when she had to. Joanna also tried to ignite the offense with some booming punts past midfield.

Kendall Alexander & Paige Vincent work to clear the ball. The second half tested the Fireballs defensive game as the direction of the wind shifted and favored the Tornadoes. But standing strong were the GC defenders, with sweeper Michelle Rotondo turning aside numerous attacks by playing the ball out of the air or stepping up into the attack, Paige Vincent, Kim Verderber and Erin Mullins tracking any runs down in the corners and stoppers Christine Malhame and Adair Alexander pressuring the ball up the middle. With most of the second half played in the Fireball defensive end, GC looked for the opportunity to push forward. With under 3 minutes in the game they had successive throw-ins on the right sideline that Michelle was able to gain good yardage with her long throws. The last of which came from just inside the 18 yard box and she got the ball in the box onto the foot of Alexa Kentfield. With seemingly the entire Plainedge team in the box Lexi was able to turn and get the ball into the middle of the field where Christina sent the ball towards the net. As the ball sailed to the goal, Meaghan Walsh ran at the keeper and got to the ball first and flicked it to Megan Zarriello for the quick shot into the empty goal for the game winner with virtually no time on the clock. Immediately after the kickoff, the ref blew the whistle and the Fireballs had their second last minute win on two weeks. Megan and Meaghan at the finish once again! Conditioning, desire and teamwork have finally begun to pay off for the Fireballs. Let's hope they can keep it going with an away game against the HBC Fireballs this Sunday.

Christine Malhame with a little help from her friends.