On the heels of a very successful tournament in Windsor, Connecticut a week ago, the U-11 Garden City Demons versed the Great Neck Wolverines at home last Saturday and continued their winning ways defeating them by the score of 5-1. The Demons were looking to improve against a very determined Wolverine team who scored a last minute own goal en route to a 3-3 tie in the team's prior meeting last Spring. There were more own goals this time in addition to the old fashioned kind manufactured by the Demons who did a solid job this time around.

The Demons came knocking early peppering the Wolverine goalkeeper with several shots in the opening minutes. Carney Mahon, Kevin Mullin, Peter Escribano and Matthew Rogers moved the ball well inside the Wolverine half of the field with the assistance of Greg Vouzianas, Will Harrington, Jack Gillan and Mark DeSantis. It was Rogers who opened the scoring as he challenged for a ball to the near side of the goalkeeper. Upon winning the ball, Rogers fired a right footed blast that deflected off a Great Neck defender into the goal for a 1-0 Demons lead. Minutes later, Carney Mahon, displaying aggressiveness and hustle inside the eighteen headed home a beautifully crossed ball from Escribano and the Demons were up 2-0. The Demons controlled midfield forcing the Wolverines to play the ball up the sidelines and although there were quality passes, Great Neck could not penetrate the Demon fullbacks defending in front of Ray Leto. Matthew Rogers scored his second of the game on a tenacious play. Upon getting open inside the box, he shot the ball on net and the goalkeeper made the save. However, he couldn't control the rebound which Rogers dug out uncontested and tapped the ball into the net for a 3-0 Garden City lead. The Wolverines would get one back near the end of the 1st half as a shot at the goal by a striker from some distance deflected into the goal by a Demons player and the score was 3-1. The Demons shook this off and once again resumed their attack winning a corner kick for their effort. Dale Stasco's kick was headed out of danger, but not for long as Mark DeSantis, perfectly positioned at the top of the eighteen settled the ball and launched a shot into the upper part of the net. A terrific shot that the goalkeeper had no chance on and the half ended with the Demons on top 4-1.

As the second half commenced, the Demons realigned their lineup as Will Harrington took over in the net and made some nice saves including one on the goal line. Ray Leto was playing up front with Carney Mahon, Jack Gillan, and Mark DeSantis. The foursome showed some speed and nifty play making and were supported nicely by Vouzianas and Mullin who clogged the Wolverine passing lanes. The group won several corner kicks which created additional worry for the Wolverine defense. Fullbacks Mike Randazzo and Matt Rogers displayed patience as they did a great job of containing any attack that came their way. Great Neck did not quit and their players did a nice job of using the second half to work on their short passing game in order to figure upon ways to penetrate the defense. However, the Demons were on nearly every 50/50 and continued to push offensively. Carney Mahon scored his second goal of the game and the Demons had themselves a well deserved 5-1 victory enabling them to climb into second place in the standings, one point behind division leading Little Neck. Nice work guys.

The Demons travel to play the Merrick Mavericks this Saturday as they continue league play. Let's go Demons!