Cara Adams passes to Joanna Sokolovic. On a brilliant fall morning, the Garden City Xtreme traveled to Rockville Centre to play the Rockville Center Rage. Both teams have been having success this fall in the division, so the Xtreme were looking forward to the highly contested match. It was a wonderful game to watch, both teams showing great skill and athleticism. But, three first half goals and very solid defense by the Xtreme sent them home winners, 3-0.

Going into the match, the Xtreme knew they would have to work very hard. The Rage had only let up one goal in their first five matches. When the whistle blew the Xtreme took immediate control of the game. They were more aggressive and quicker to the ball than the Rage. With continuous pressure on the Rage goal, the team was awarded two quick corner kicks. Deanne DiPierro played the corners into the six yard box perfectly and the forwards put quality shots on goal, but the Rage held the team from scoring. Unfazed, Lauren Miesemer, Isabel McKeown and Colette Seel maneuvered the ball around in the 18 yard box, causing havoc on the Rage defenders. Four minutes into the half, Colette was set up by Isabel and Lauren, firing a low liner into the left corner to put the Xtreme up 1-0. The Xtreme used their speed to set up their second goal. Katie Roscoe smartly sent Sam Miesemer forward with a throw in. Sam saw Joanna Sokolovic with space in the middle of the field and played the ball into her. Joanne pushed the ball past the sweeper and ran around her to go one on one with the keeper. With great poise, Joanna rolled the ball past their keeper for the second goal. Alison Holfester was instrumental to the offensive pressure to supporting both Joanna and Lauren on the right side. With seven minutes remaining in the half, the match almost took a bad turn for the Xtreme. The Rage were awarded a penalty kick. Conversion of this shot would have been momumental for the Rage, but our determined keeper Sam Derby superbly stopped the blast and kept the Xtreme up 2-0. Still relentless on the attack, with the half just about to end, Lauren scored the third goal on a beautiful weighted through ball from Isabel.

Isabel McKeown crosses the ball. As the Xtreme took the field in the second half, they knew they just had to shut down the Rage forwards. Cara Adams and Jenna Codignotto were in at outside back and Sam D. went in at center back. Lauren went in the goal. The match opened up quite a bit as the RVC team was determined to score. With each team counter attacking each other, the pace of the match was very entertaining. The Rage did have some very fast forwards but Cara, Jenna, Alison, Deanna, Sam D. and Katie always managed to track them down and turn the ball back on the offensive. Katie, Sam D. and Alison also took turns with the corner kicks all sending dangerous ball into the penalty area. When the Rage did get forward, Lauren handled all of the shots with great technique. Second half mission accomplished, the team held RVC scoreless for their fourth shut out. With three matches left against three worthy opponents, the team looks forward to continued success.

Colette Seel gets ready to score.

Lauren Miesemer and Joanna Sakolovic go on the attack.