The U-11 Demons have gone through their toughest stretch of games during the past several days against the top clubs in Nassau Division I. Last Saturday, they traveled to Massapequa to play the second place Scorpions, one of the most accomplished U-11 teams in the country. Having been together since U-7, the Scorpions demonstrated text book soccer at its best using the one and two touch passing game with precision. To their credit, the Demons stayed with them for nearly three quarters of the game, but never really got possession for any length of time in order to mount their attack.

Minutes into the game, the Scorpions scored from distance a few yards from midfield to go up 1-0. Their squad used the open spaces of the field and for most of the game, the Demon defenders yielded too much space giving the Scorpion mid fielder's plenty of time to either make a play or fire at will at Ray Leto between the sticks. The score became 2-0 early in the second half and then 3-0 minutes later. Moments from time, the Demons finally broke through as Peter Escribano won a ball to the left of the Scorpion net and fed Greg Vouzianas who scored to ruin the shut out. The game was a lesson in ball control. More than that, the Demons saw first hand the quick distribution necessary to form an attack, but such lessons have been taught to the boys all season long. The star of the game for the Demons certainly was Ray Leto who turned aside a barrage of quality shots throughout the match yet yielded only three. Well done Ray.

Spoiling Plainview's

Perfect Season

This past Tuesday, the Demons played host to the first place Plainview Piranha, winners of the State Cup and Waldbaum's Cup semi-finalists. Entering this match, the Piranha was undefeated and untied at 7 wins against zero losses scoring 30 goals and yielding just 9. With a light rain sprinkling the pitch, the Demons came out strong knowing that a solid effort on their part could jeopardize the Piranha's chances to win the division outright. The Demons, led by Matthew Rogers up front along with Mike Randazzo were quicker to the ball thanks to the tenaciousness of midfielders Carney Mahon, Peter Escribano, and Greg Vouzianas. Defenders Jack Tigh, Mark DeSantis and Dale Stasco were tough in front of Ray Leto but the pressure was intense as the Piranha midfielders used one and two touch passing to the wings to create scoring chances. Nearly 10 minutes into the game, a Piranha striker was fouled above the Demon eighteen and awarded a free kick. The kick resulted in a goal to put the division leaders up 1-0.

The Demons battled back and minutes later won a corner kick. As the forwards set themselves to charge the net, Greg Vouzianas served a beautiful kick to the far side of the goal where Matthew Rogers out leaped everyone to score on a wonderful header to level the game. This shocked the Piranha and the momentum shifted to the Demons as they increased the pressure leading up to halftime. After the intermission, the Piranha began with the ball and quickened their attack. Ray Leto made numerous daring saves on the wet surface and immediately returned balls up field. The Demons took the lead on some terrific work in midfield as Carney Mahon won a 50/50 and touched it up field into the Piranha corner where a streaking Mike Randazzo outmaneuvered his mark. Randazzo sent a cross pass to Matt Rogers who made a move on his defender outside right and right footed the ball passed the goalkeeper giving the Demons the 2-1 advantage. The goal was Roger's 10th of the season. The Piranha, not used to this close a match began to panic. Their coach implored them to keep their cool but the clutching and grabbing game began. The referee buried his whistle amidst the rough play and the Demons time after time shut down a scoring chance. Midfielders Danny Simmons, Jack Gillan, and Greg Vouzianas sustained some punishment and kept the opposing forwards at bay. However, the great teams get the breaks and the Piranha to their credit kept pressuring Tigh, DeSantis and Will Harrington. With less than four minutes remaining the Piranha won a corner kick which was subsequently headed away out of bounds by the Demons. Given another chance, the Piranha did not waste it. As the ball was lofted into play, everyone converged on Ray Leto and the loose ball bounded about in front where no one could control it. A Piranha striker nudged it into the net to tie the game and for the remaining minutes did everything they could to try and get the game winner which did not come. The tie was a huge point for the Demons on several levels. They took the division leaders to task and made them work harder than perhaps they have in any contest this season. The Demons also spoiled the Piranha's perfect season leaving it open for this final weekend game to decide the division winner.

The lessons are being learned and although the Demons are headed for certain Division 2 relegation at season's end, the boys deserve high marks for achievement in this first season in division 1.

The Demons will close out their Spring season this Saturday at home versus Syosset. Let's Go Demons!