Goalbusters:top row L-R: Kate Butcher, Lauren Williams, Coach Takach, Emily Winchurch, Mikaela Rix, Liz Mahoney, Coach Mahoney, "T"Takach, Coach Winchurch. Bottom row L-R: Colleen Mullin, Krysta Cento, Kelly Reis, Carly Cento, Christine Codignotto (not pictured: Katie McCarthy, Maria Sokolovic and Kara Zerille) The Goalbusters, a GU-14 Travel Soccer team, started off their new season by participating in the Ref-Fuel tournament on Saturday, August 26 and Sunday, August 27. The team welcomed their newest member, Colleen Mullin. Colleen played four years with the Blizzards before joining the Goalbusters. Her speed, tenacity, and keen field sense is a welcomed addition to the team.

Without the benefit of a full squad practice or the use of a regulation field, the Goalbusters took to the turf Saturday for the first match in several months. The schedule was tough, but was a good one as the Goalbusters had played 4 of the 5 teams before. The out come of this Ref Fuel tournament would be a fair indication of how the Goalbusters would compete this fall.

The field was in good shape considering it had rained overnight and most of the morning. The grass was cut short making it a little slick.

The first match was against the West Babylon Wildfire, a big physical team (one of the teams we had played in the past). As usual the Goalbusters started out slowly, but as they got their legs moving and confidence growing, they started to control the ball. Solid defense and goal play kept the WB scoring opportunities to a minimum. On the other side of the field, the Goldbusters middies, including Carly Cento, Elizabeth Mahoney, Mikaela Rix, Maria Sokolvich, Emily Winchruch, created many scoring opportunities by feeding the ball through the Wildfire defense. Solid play by the WB goalie kept the score tied at 0-0.

After commuting to a new venue, the Goalbusters took the field against the Northport Royal Blues, (the team that won Division I last season). This time it was the Goalbusters that started strong and Northport a little hesitant. Again solid defense by Kate Butcher, Christine Codignotto, and T. Takach, Lauren Williams, Kara Zerille allowed the Goalbusters midfield to control the ball and the tempo of the game. Many scoring opportunities were created and first half goals were scored by Katie McCarthy and Mikaela Rix. Going into the second half, the Goalbusters played with enthusiasm and energy. Frustrated, Northport started to resort to their physical game, one that the Goalbusters had experienced before. With only 3 subs and several injuries, the Goalbusters were wearing down and gave several scoring opportunities to the Royal Blues. Northport scored midway through the half, but the Goalbusters gutted it out an impressive and quite satisfying win, 2-1. A happy Goalbuster group went for ice cream.

The Sunday morning rain did not quell the enthusiasm or energy level of the Goalbusters. With the field holding up pretty well, the Goalbusters faced off against the Rockville Center Synergy, a well coached team that is always a tough opponent. The game went true to form, a defensive battle dominated by good goaltending. The Garden City scoring opportunities by the forwards, including Krysta Cento, Colleen Mullin and Kelly Reis, were again created by the midfield, but strong defensive play by RVC caused the Goalbuster shots to be rushed. At the end the game remained tied 0-0.

The rain started to come down a little harder as the Goalbusters took the field against the Hicksville Nightmare, a team known for its physical play. The Goalbusters came out hard, refreshed after their leisurely break for lunch. They dominated play on both ends of the field. A very strong Nightmare goalie kept the Goalbuster shots at bay even though the Goalbusters had the ball in their offensive half most of the game. A momentary lapse on the defensive side allowed Hicksville to score on one of their few opportunities in the first half. This did not stop the Goalbusters as they came back strong and continued to dominate. However with the weather and the lack of subs, the Goalbusters started to wear down and they could not put the ball in the net. Hicksville 1, Goalbusters 0.

Between games the Goalbusters hung out in a tent and watched the rain come down harder. The girls knew the last game was against their weakest opponent of the tournament. The field was now soggy and the goal areas muddy. The rain was not letting up, nor was the Goalbuster attitude.

The Goalbusters took the field against a short-pass teamwork oriented Riverdale Panther team. Although they played a tight possession game, the Panthers could not stop the skill and speed of the Goalbusters. With a good shot off a strong push up the middle, Kelly Reis got the Goalbusters on the board. Next Maria Sokolvich took the ball to the outside right and looped a high shot over the Panther goalie's reach. Riverdale did not give up and put together a strong drive which resulted in a hand ball in the penalty area. On the ensuing penalty kick, Katie McCarth stopped a point blank shot and the half ended 2-0.

The Goalbusters came out strong in the second half. Krysta Cento, who had th best shots all weekend, took a pass from Mikaela Rix and put the ball in the back of the net. The Goalbusters changed their formation to slow the game down. "T" now playing forward with Kara Zerille, took the ball past the Panther defender and put the ball in the lower left corner. The Panthers who did not give, could not penetrate the Goalbuster defense. Goalbusters 5, Riverdale 0.

The Goalbusters had a good showing all weekend. Strong defense and goaltending by Kate Butcher and Lauren Williams, a good transition game at midfield, and good forward play allowed the Goalbusters to be in control most of the tournament. Congratulations to the Blizzards and Fireballs for their very successful Ref-Fuel Weekend. Garden City U-14 Girls soccer has a lot to look forward to this fall.