U-11 Demons Tie Port Washington

Over the course of the last several weeks the U-11 Demons have built tremendous momentum by putting together the teamwork and efforts required to play with the elite teams in their division. Last Saturday versus the Port Washington Real the boys took another important step by digging deep within themselves late in the game and snatching near victory away from a very good team that gave them a drubbing a year ago.

The Demons are no strangers to adversity. They've played in inclement weather; played on fields that haven't been properly maintained. They've even played shorthanded and came away with a point. Well, last Saturday was no different. When they took to the pitch they had no subs, the grass they were playing on was too tall, they contended with a referee whom they couldn't understand and, as previously mentioned, they were facing the Port Washington Real, who soundly defeated them last year 7-0. They were even playing without Coach Gillan there to cheer them on (but his presence was felt). However, the Demons were undaunted. Assistant Coach Chris Vouzianas outlined his pre-game plan, a plan that involved saving their energy. The Demons began the game with Matt Rogers up front with Peter Escribano, who played his finest game of the season. Mike Randazzo and Greg Vouzianas were in midfield with Carney Mahon, and Jack Tigh, Mark DeSantis and Dale Stasco comprised the defense in front of Ray Leto. The boys displayed patience along with some fine passing. The Real came at them and tested the defense early. Ray Leto made some terrific saves and the first 15 minutes was evenly played. Matthew Rogers had the Demons first scoring chance as he received a through ball from Escribano and darted toward the goalkeeper only to have his shot hampered by the long grass. The Keeper made the save. The Real scored first on a nice passing play but minutes later Matt Rogers returned the pretty set up by Escribano earlier by sending him in alone on the Keeper. Escribano's first shot was saved and he immediately buried the rebound to tie the game. There were many battles in mid field and Carney Mahon along with Greg Vouzianas stood their ground and by the end of the half, the Demons were a tired bunch.

With light rain continuing to fall, the second half commenced with the Demons on the attack. Mike Randazzo, another stand out was tough on his wing side working well with Vouzianas up front along with Rogers. The boys created several scoring chances that were denied by the goalie. Likewise, the Port Washington attackers used a short passing game and their coach implored them to shoot from distance which they tried to do. Port Washington scored again to take a 2-1 lead but the Demons would not wilt. With Vouzianas having possession of the ball in mid field, he found Rogers with a through ball and Rogers spotted Randazzo making his run up wing. Randazzo, shielding off the defender launched a beautiful cross that was initially saved by the goalkeeper who knocked it down in front of himself however, as he went to grab it, Matt Rogers gained possession and shot it into the net to once again tie the game. From this point the Demons seemed to get stronger as they won a couple of corner kicks shortly thereafter. During one set piece sequence, a Real fullback was locked in an elbowing contest with Carney Mahon in the box and the ref had to warn both players to settle down. Both players accepted the warning, but the chippyness continued. With less than 10 minutes remaining in the game Port Washington was awarded a direct kick to the left of Ray Leto's net just outside the penalty area as a result of a defensive hand ball. As the Demons were aligning their wall, the Real shooter saw some daylight and his shot found the back of the net for a 3-2 lead. If the Demons had any thoughts of giving up, they did not show it and went right back to work as time was running out. Greg Vouzianas had possession of a ball in mid field and was fouled as he tried to make a pass. His resulting kick to the right upper 90 was saved by the goalie, who once again dropped the rain slicked ball. Peter Escribano rushed to him, took the ball and scored into a wide open net to tie the game at 3-3. Port Washington had one last chance to win the game as a striker had a step on Carney Mahon in the Demon half of the field. Mahon took his man down giving the Real a direct kick but Ray Leto made the save and punted the ball back up field as the whistle blew ending the match. This was a terrific game played by Garden City. As the game progressed, it was the Demons who appeared to have the energy reserves to carry them on while the Real seemed to slack off in the late going. The boys can not only give themselves a pat on the back for a fantastic effort, they can thank Coach Gillan who tends to their conditioning by running them hard and often during practices. Nice job guys.

With points in consecutive games now, the Demons will play host to the league leading, undefeated, Plainview Piranha at home in mid June. Let's Go Demons!