Megan Zarriello stretches out to make the pass. The Fireballs took a trip out to South Huntington for a league match against the Lightning last Sunday morning. On a beautiful sunny morning the girls did not disappoint their fans and came away with a well played 2-1 victory. Playing an energized up tempo game, the girls got to almost every loose ball, controlled the play and made some terrific passes to dominate for most of the game. The first goal was scored by Kendall Alexander on a great feed from Megan Zarriello. Megan fought through the Lightning defense on the left side and pushed a ball through to Kendall. As she split the defense, Kendall put a quick shot on goal that handcuffed the keeper and found the back of the net for a 1-0 lead. Continuing to keep up the pressure on offense, the Fireballs began to push up their defense trying to add to their lead. GC had a couple of good chances opening up for forwards Alex Rooney, Megan Z. and Kendall, as well as a terrific free kick from Christine Malhame that the keeper grabbed out of the corner of the goal. Then on what seemed like the tenth corner kick of the half, Christina Cesarini was able to send a beautiful ball into the box. With the ball getting through a maze of bodies, Courtney Chmil was able to get to the ball, shield it from the defender and lay it off to an onrushing Paige Vincent, who had stepped up from her outside defense position. Paige leaned into the shot and drove the ball through the keeper for the all important second goal of the game with less than a minute left in the half. It happened to be Paige's first goal of her travel career, as she has week in and week out been an important part of our stalwart defense partnered with Michelle Rotondo and Kim Verderber.

Meghan Walsh carries down the sideline The second half started much the way the first half ended - with the Fireballs in control of the match. The girls forced some early corners and had several scoring opportunities in the first 15 minutes of the half. It was either Meghan Walsh or Erin Mullins using speed to beat the defense down the left wing and firing crosses into the box. Or it was Courtney, Cez and Megan Z. working give and go's and overlaps to perfection on the right wing. Or it was stoppers Shannon McWilliams or Adair Alexander getting to balls at the top of the box and firing them back in for forwards Kendall and Alexa Kentfield. With about 15 minutes left in the game it looked like the Fireballs hit a bit of a wall (as well as fighting the wind) and started to slow down. Sensing this and the fact that time was not on their side, the Lightning started to attack with everyone and put the pressure on the Fireballs. With the pressure turned up a notch South Huntington was able to break through for a goal. On a turnover in the midfield and a quick counterattack, one of their midfielders fired a long shot that just got over the outstretch hands of keeper Joanna Matuza. Although S. Huntington continued to push everyone forward, the Fireballs were able to fight off the Lightning for the remainder of the match and come up with the hard fought 2-1 victory. This weekend they play two games at home - tomorrow at 5:00 against Mineola and on Sunday at 1:00 against North Shore. If you're a soccer fan you should come out to St. Paul's and watch a good match. Good Luck girls.

Michelle Rotondo sends the ball up field.

Christina Cesarini fires another corner kick Courtney Chmil gets around the defender, again!