Cara Adams gets control of the ball. On December 2, the Garden City Xtreme concluded their very successful fall season with a 3-0 win over the Plainedge Dare Devils. The Plainedge team was very physical, but the Xtreme did not back down for a second. Their skill level was better than the Dare Devils which lead to more possession time. Two first half goals, a goal in the second half and a defense that recorded its seventh shutout in nine matches, clinched the division title for the team.

A lot of the success the team has enjoyed this season was due to their fast starts. At the three minute mark of this match, the team took an early lead. Colette Seel and Isabel McKeown found Lauren Miesemer open in the Dare Devil penalty area. Lauren smartly moved away from her marker and had the time to set and then drive the ball into the goal to put her team up 1-0. Taking an early lead puts immediate pressure on a team's opponent, not to allow any more goals and to try to get the equalizer. The Dare Devils did have some worthy counter attacks, but the Xtreme had the ball in the Plainedge defensive end for most of the half, due to their ability to connect on multiple passes. Sam Derby was our first half keeper. Sam does an awesome job of taking charge and making sure her defenders are in the correct spots. Katie Roscoe and Alison Holfster were the outside stoppers, they defended well and gave perfect support to their forwards. The middle stopper, Deanna DiPierro used her speed to track down any forward who went in on goal. Deanna also created major problems for the Dare Devils with her pinpoint corner kicks. The Xtreme enjoyed lots of possession time because the backs saw the field well and played the ball into their target player. With nineteen minutes gone in the half, Isabel got possession and went one on one with the Dare Devils center back. Isabel went by her and blasted the ball into the corner for a two goal lead at half.

Loren Miesemer goes to goal. At the start of the second half, Cara Adams and Jenna Codignotto were on the outside of the back line and Lauren was in the goal. Cara and Jenna continued the strong defensive play, but were quite busy as the Plainedge team pushed forward in attempts to get a goal. Joanna Sokolovic and Sam Miesemer went up front for the Xtreme. Both players kept the pressure on the Dare Devils with speed and accurate passes. At the fourteen minute mark, the Plainedge striker got through the Xtreme defense and fired a rocket of a shot in the top of the goal. Lauren miraculously pulled the ball out of the air, making a spectacular save. This seemed to deflate the Plainedge team. About five minutes later Cara made a splendid run from the back all the way to the Dare Devils six yard box. As three defenders came to stop Cara, she played the ball to Sam D. who was open right in front and Sam put it in the goal for the final score.

Isabel McKeown shields the ball. The parents and coaches could not be prouder of the team. They came together in mid July and worked very hard at their game. The foundation for a solid soccer team is in the making. Congratulations to them for their 9-0-0 record and for winning their division, Nassau North. Also we would like to congratulate our sister teams, the Patriettes and the Power for their success this fall.

Alison Holfoster goes past the defender.

The Xtreme celebrating their win. Top row, L-R: Jenna Codignotto, Deanna DiPierro, Katie Roscoe, Colette Seel, Lauren Miesemer. Middle row, L-R: Cara Adams, Isabel McKeown, Alison Holfester. Bottom row, L-R: Sam Miesemer, Sam Derby, Joanna Sokolovic. Sam Miesemer putting up a great fight for the ball.