U-11 Demons Defeat Hewlett

The U-11 Demons played host to the Hewlett-Lawrence Blue Thunder last Saturday and enjoyed a hard fought 3-1 victory. Under warm, sunny skies, the boys took to the pitch in search of their first win of the season. It has taken the Demons some time this season to right themselves and the beginning of this match started with most of the boys appearing tentative to challenge against the aggressive Blue Thunder whom the Demons had not beaten before. The boys were in a defensive formation to begin the game with Mark DeSantis, Jack Tigh and Dale Stasco as fullbacks, Carney Mahon, Kevin Mullin and Peter Escribano in mid field with Greg Vouzianas, and Matthew Rogers up front as the lone striker. The Blue Thunder applied early pressure on goalkeeper Ray Leto and the defense in front of him seemed nervous after performing several miskicks on clearing attempts. At the ten minute mark the Blue Thunder scored on what looked like a shot that the defense should have managed to stop. The ball seemed to surprise Leto as it came through his defenders and bounced under his grasp over the line. Hewlett seemed to have the better of the play and once again, the Demons were locked in a physical contest. They were whistled for fouls often during the half which ended with Hewlett on top 1-0.

As the second half commenced, Coach Tom Gillan realigned the formation of players and started with Danny Simmons up front with Matthew Rogers and Jack Gillan. Back stoppers Jack Tigh, Mark DeSantis, Carney Mahon, and Dale Stasco came alive. They were first to the ball and the distribution was quicker. Mike Randazzo won the ball against his opponent numerous times and Simmons and Rogers worked well together to create chances at the net. The Demons finally broke through when a Danny Simmons shot found the back of the net and the score was level. Minutes later, Dale Stasco sent a gorgeous pass up the wing to Matthew Rogers who deftly cut to the middle, faked the goalkeeper and scored for a 2-1 Demons lead. At this point the Demon defense tightened up and Will Harrington, Mark DeSantis and Carney Mahon yielded very few scoring chances to Hewlett. Likewise, Ray Leto charged out of his net on several occasions to pounce on loose balls just above his eighteen. Stasco and Mahon played hard and upon winning a ball in their defensive half minutes from full time, sent a through ball ahead to Matt Rogers who had Jack Gillan on his right and Kevin "Money" Mullin making a run on his left. With a clear chance at the goal, Rogers slid the ball to Mullin who took it wide and fired a left footer into the goal to seal the Demons victory at 3-1.

The Demons have a fixture with the Port Washington Real this Saturday. Keep it going boys. Let's Go Demons!