The Garden City Sparks (GU11) rallied after being down three goals but could not get the equalizer in the dying moments of the game against the Massapequa Stars. Like a heavyweight bout, both teams battled in midfield during the first 20 minutes of the game. However, around the 20 minute mark Massapequa began a push that saw them score to take a 1-0 lead. As the second half began the Sparks came to life and began to mount pressure. However, against the run of play Massapequa scored twice on the counter to take a 3-0 lead. The Sparks never gave up and continued to push forward. Deep in the Stars half Tara DeAngelo took a Emma Gallagher pass and crossed into the box where Anne Blanco's volley just went over the crossbar. Haley O'Hanlon pushed forward and blazed a shot on goal from 25 yards out that was caught by the keeper. Sarah Galzerano and Erin Connolly worked a beautiful give and go that forced the Massapequa defense to tip away a shot just in time. With about 8 minutes to go, Erin Connolly broke free and hammered a shot past the keeper to put the Sparks on the board. That goal lifted the players who began to sense a momentum shift. As Shannon Callahan, Katherine Malhame, Taylor Carpentier, Kate DeMarco and Briana Maglio began to win the ball and dominate midfield, Massapequa took a foul around 20 yards outside of the goal. Caroline Beatty took the free kick and promptly put it over the keepers head to make the score 3-2. Unfortunately, the Sparks could not find the equalizer in the last 3 minutes. The loss was the Sparks first of the season in league play and the three goals allowed were the first goals let up this season by Sparks standout keeper Kaitlyn Gorman. There will be no let up this week as the Garden City Sparks host the first place East Meadow Sparks. Good luck girls.