Christina Cesarini battles for control of the ball The Fireballs took to the field last Sunday afternoon with one thing on their mind - get back on the winning side of the score sheet. And they did not disappoint their sideline as the girls came away with a well played 2-1 victory over a solid Bayport Mist team. Playing an energized game, the girls put pressure on Bayport and kept the flow of the game to their advantage with some terrific runs and good passing. The first goal of the game was created as Daniella Sampram made a nice move in the box and was taken down as she was in a position to take a shot. Christina Cesarini calmly stepped up to take the penalty shot and placed it into the corner of the net for a 1-0 Fireball lead.

Bayport did come back in the next 10 minutes, using the advantage of the wind to put the ball into dangerous territory for the Fireballs. With a terrific burst of speed, their forward was able to create some space and get a shot off past a diving Monique Roberge. Monique was filling in at the keeper position and doing a great job. With the score tied at one, GC continued to fight for all loose balls and gain control of the play. And with about 10 minutes left in the half they capitalized. After a corner kick from Cez was dropped into the box, Daniella was able to get her body and ultimately her foot onto the ball and push it past the Bayport keeper. And GC had a 2-1 lead! Playing out the remainder of the first half the Fireballs had a couple of chances off the feet of Megan Zarriello, Meaghan Walsh, Liz McDougal and Victoria Aldrich to increase the lead but were stopped by an aggressive keeper.

Courtney Chmil is first to the ball, again. As the second half started the girls came out with the advantage of the wind and a one goal lead. Playing to their strength of pushing their defense up even with the lead, backs Kim Verderber and Paige Vincent were able to control the outside of the attack, as Michelle Rotondo and Christine Malhame did yeoman's work in the middle of the defense supported by Shannon McWilliams and Amanda Murolo. And cleaning up any long balls that were sent towards the goal was Monique Roberge. Monique also started the offensive attack several times with her booming punts that cleared midfield with no problem. On the offensive side of the ball the Fireballs had a couple of good scoring chances with the best coming from the head of Courtney Chmil. Courtney went up for a corner kick from Cez and redirected the ball perfectly towards the net. But out of nowhere the Bayport keeper got a hand on the ball for the deflection, keeping the score at 2-1. The remainder of the half was played in the midfield with the Fireball's holding off Bayport and getting the 2-1 victory. The girls did an excellent job and are happy to be back in contention. The Fireballs travel to Valley Stream to face the Thunder on Sunday at 1:00 trying to stay on the winning track.

Liz McDougal goes by the defender

Paige Vincent clears the ball out of trouble Daniella Sampram follows through on the sho