Xtreme Going To Third Round

Sam Derby gets ready to clear the ball

This past Saturday the Garden City Xtreme U10 girls advanced to the third round of the Waldbaums Cup after a nail biting victory over the Farmingdale Rockets.

The Xtreme came out cautiously, passing the ball around the field, in order to see the Rockets defense and what they would be up against. Quickly the players took control of their offensive zone getting two quick shots on goal and catching the Rockets off guard. Forwards Colette Seel, Lauren Miesemer, and Isabel McKeown kept the pressure on with passes from the midfielders Deanna DiPeirro, Cara Adams and Alison Holfester. Immediately after the second rally, the Rockets realized that the Xtreme came out to play. From that point on the intensity increased and stayed at high throttle throughout the game.

The first 15 minutes of the half, the Xtreme dominated the game with superb passing between the forwards and their defenders. The Xtreme were able to keep the ball in their offensive zone with four shots on the Rockets goal by Lauren, Joanna Sokolovic, Sam Miesemer and Isabel. Deanna had two exciting corner kicks nearly resulting in goals. However, in the remainder of the first half, the Rockets dominated with six strong shots on goal, keeping goal tender Sam Derby on her toes. Excellent defensive playing by Katie Roscoe, Cara Adams, and Jenna Codignotto, kept the rockets scoreless in the first half. After a heart stopping save by goal tender Sam Derby, Alison cleared the ball to Isabel who was able to drive past two defenders and score the first and only goal of the game.

Lauren Miesemer pressure the attacker

In the second half, both teams started with very physical plays and showed determination in their battle for possession of the ball. After a few exchanges, the Rockets started up field and Katie and Cara displayed their lighting fast speed in overpowering and denying the Rockets any scoring opportunities. The Rockets would continue to fight back throughout the second half. With 12 minutes remaining in the match, the Rocket striker broke through the Xtreme back line. What looked to be a certain game-tying goal, Sam Derby reached out and saved the blast from the Rocket striker. The Xtreme fans were ecstatic, the Farmingdale crowd in disbelief. Now the Xtreme again had the momentum. Quickly Sam M. drove the ball up field after a stunning intercept resulting in the Xtremes keeping the ball down field for the first time in the second half. Lauren and Joanna were able to keep the pressure on with the assistance of the defenders Jenna and Alison long enough to get two more shots on goal. Great teamwork and communication among Jenna, Sam D, Katie, Cara, Alison, Sam M. and Deanna in the last 10 minutes of the game kept the Rockets from scoring. In the final remaining minutes, the Rockets' goalie left her goal creating a frenzy in the Xtreme's defense zone. Once again the defenders were able to push back the Rockets and prevented seven of their shots on goal from scoring. Xtreme took one last drive up the field with an exciting shot by Colette. The Garden City Xtreme were elated at the end of the match with their victory.

Joanna Sokolovic shoots on goal

Deanna DiPierro gains control of the ball Isabel McKeown goes to goal Alison Holfester carries up the field