The Garden City Sparks (GU11) are peaking at the right time. The girls scored only 4 goals in the first six league games, but have netted 8 in the last 2 games. The 8 goals have come against two of the top teams in Division 1, two goals were spectacular. Last week, Garden City defeated East Meadow 4-2 and followed that emotional victory with a 4-1 victory over Massapequa.

East Meadow and Garden City have become a rivalry as these two battled in last season's championship match, which Garden City won 1-0. This season Garden City has been both inconsistent and snake bitten but the girls were 100% focused for the East Meadow match. Kate Demarco opened the scoring but East Meadow tied quickly. However, Shannon Callahan poked in the Sparks second goal and Haley O' Hanlon added another on a penalty kick. The fourth goal was a mix of determination, skill and beauty. Shannon hustled and trapped a long goal kick and passed to Sarah Galzerano. Sarah passed to Tara Deangelo down the wing. Tara took a touch and crossed into the box where Anne Blanco flew in and volleyed the ball into the goal. The final score was Garden City 4 East Meadow 2.

Massapequa was Garden City's soccerfest opponent and took the brunt of the Sparks' goalfest. The first half was back and forth but ended scoreless. At the start of the second half, Katherine Malhame produced the opening goal with an unstoppable rocket. Katherine drilled a shot that hit the underside of the cross bar bounced down but had enough power to spin back into the top of the net. Earlier in the season this type of shot somehow would have bounced out or hit both the crossbar and goalpost. Garden City continued to mount excessive pressure with Emma Gallagher pushing up from her left back position to win a corner kick. The corner kick caused havoc in front of the Massapequa goal and Garden City was awarded a penalty when one of the Massapequa girls handled the ball. Haley O'Hanlon once again converted the penalty kick with a low drive into the corner to give the Sparks a 2-0 lead. The third goal earned the girls a double-scoop of ice cream. Erin Connelly settled the ball out wide and sent in a cross where Taylor Carpentier flew in and on the run headed the ball into the back of the net - so far the goal of the season. Caroline Beatty would add a fourth before Massapequa struck to end the game 4-1. The victory put the Sparks into fourth place in Division 1 with one game to go. Garden City will end its season in Oceanside on Saturday. Keep it going girls!