Courtney flying after the ball. Welcome back Fireballs, and all of the Centennial soccer teams. On a blustery March Sunday with the winds whipping through the open fields, the Spring season got underway at St. Paul's with a Waldbaum's Cup match against Bayport. Not faring as well as they played, the girls took a tough 3-2 loss. Coming back after the winter break, the girls got back into the swing quickly with hustle, good ball movement and teamwork

Controlling much of the play throughout the game, GC had numerous scoring chances that went wide, over the bar or into the arms of the keeper and in the end they just couldn't come up with the tying goal. The first half started with the Fireballs defending against the wind, although that did not turn out to be a big factor. After coming up empty on three straight corner kicks that Christina Cesarini popped into the box, Bayport had a counterattack that resulted in a goal as a deflected clearing attempt ricocheted to an open wing who managed to convert over the outstretched arms of keeper Joanna Matuza. Fighting back, the girls kept the pressure in their offensive end with some good ball movement by midfielders Courtney Chmil and Kendall Alexander, as well as strong through balls by defenders Christine Malhame, Michelle Rotondo and Paige Vincent. Then as if to put an exclamation point on their bad luck in the half, Bayport was awarded a penalty kick on a very suspect call that they were able to put in for a 2-0 lead. Once again, the girls put it into gear and seemed to own the ball for the last 12 minutes of the half, keeping the ball in the Bayport end of the field. Continuing her terrific corner kicks, Cez served great balls several times that just could not find pay dirt. As the half ended, the words of a very wise man carried across the field - 'and that's why they pay professional strikers 10 million dollars'.

Maria is first to the ball. With the start of the second half, the Fireballs now had the wind at their backs and a desire in their bellies. Attacking relentlessly for the first 10 minutes, they were finally able to break the ice with a goal from Kendall from in front of the net, as Liz McDougal and Meghan Walsh helped to apply the pressure. But the excitement of the goal wore off quickly as Bayport was able to catch the Fireballs on their heels and quickly moved the ball up the field with a long ball into the corner. And then with a terrific cross that skimmed off the cross bar and onto the foot of an oncoming player, Bayport had gotten the goal back and led again by two.

Christine comes up with the ball as Cez pushes it through. The Fireballs now had about twenty minutes to overcome the 3-1 deficit and started pushing their players up the field and into the attack. It paid off as Paige moved the ball up the right sideline and found Christine about 10 yards outside the box. Christine turned on the ball and sent a great ball into the six yard box for Erin Mullins and Courtney Chmil, that Courtney was able to finish. Now down again by one goal the girls attacked and attacked and attacked some more. Leaving only one or two defenders back the Fireballs applied tremendous pressure, but the Bayport defense stood tall and strong and would not allow the tying goal.

The Fireballs walked off knowing that they played their hearts out but just couldn't get the ball to bounce their way for the decisive goal. They will most likely be working on their finishing this week and come back to St. Paul's next week against the Commack Spirit for a regular season match at noon.

Adair sets up to make the pass.