Thunderbolts Advance To Waldbaum's Cup Final

Jake Menges and Brian Defliese fight for possession as Kyle Ritchie waits for the pass

The Thunderbolts, GC's 6th grade A soccer team, advanced to the Finals of the Waldbaums' Cup, Intermediate A division, this past weekend with an exciting win over Hauppauge by a score of 1 to 0.

Matt Leto converted the winner in the first half on a nice passing combination between Brian Pratt and Kyle Ritchie and the Thunderbolts never looked back.

Kyle Walsh took control of the ball in the defensive zone using his usual explosive speed to beat his opponent to each ball to prevent many shots on goal. Brian "Defo" Defliese, Jake Menges, Christopher Thomas and Michael Lemonda were flawless in keeping the Hauppauge forwards off balance and out of contention throughout.

Brian Pratt, Matt Greco, Michael Caravello, Patrick Keogh, Kyle Ritchie and Brian Badgett, who rejoined the team from the disabled list, worked tirelessly in the midfield to transition the ball from the defensive end to the offensive end of the field.

Defo, Keogh, Badgett, and Chris Thomas made some long throw-ins in the offensive end and some nice steals to set up Pratt, Marc Schwendemann and Stefan Hugel on offense and to keep the pressure on the Hauppauge goalie. The boys worked the triangle passing well making Coach Metzler especially happy.

Brian Pratt, Brian Badgett and Jake Menges work the triangle.

Ryan Costigan was awesome in goal preserving his second shutout in an as many days.

In other action the Thunderbolts defeated Plainview on Saturday by a score of 2 to 0 on goals from Jack Metzler and Brian Pratt.

It is no small accomplishment in reaching the Waldbaums Cup finals as there are twenty teams in each division vying over the course of the spring season, starting in March, for the chance to compete in the prestigious event. The Thunderbolts work together as a team and have worked hard all season to get there. Way to go boys!

The Thunderbolts are proud to continue Garden City's soccer tradition and look forward to bearing Garden City's banner at the Waldbaums Final on Father's Day at Stony Brook University where they will take on a perennial soccer powerhouse from Hicksville.

Michael Caravello receives pass from Chris Thomas

Good Thunderbolts!!!! Go Garden City!!!!