Thunderbolts Continue Winning Ways

Coaches Pratt, Metzler and Menges congratulate the boys on the big win.

The Thunderbolts, Garden City's 6th grade boys travel soccer team, took on the North Shore Vipers this past weekend and notched yet another victory, their seventh this season in League and Cup play, by a score of 2 to 0.

GC clearly had their "A" game working for them and took it to North Shore from the start. Matt Greco put GC on the board early in the first half with a beautiful strike on a cross from Brian Pratt who had worked the ball up the middle of the field on a passing combination with Matt Leto. Marc Schwendemann had several nice shots on goal keeping the North Shore keeper on his toes throughout the game.

Brian Pratt and Pat Keogh, at center half back, dominated the middle of the field throughout the game working the triangle passing game with Jack Metzler, Brian Badgett, and Michael Caravello on the outsides to perfection. The halfbacks were tireless in their effort breaking up North Shore's mid-field passing game and transitioning from defense to offense with ease.

Patrick Keogh and Brian Badgett work the ball up field.

Jake Menges was troublesome to North Shore's skillful forwards stopping many offensive drives. Kyle Walsh with his tremendous speed and ball control swept away the balls that found their way deep into GC's defensive zone.

The outside backs, Kyle Ritchie, Chris Thomas and Michael LeMonda were awesome in keeping the ball on the outsides and working passes to the midfielders and forwards and breaking up North Shore's offensive effort. Chris, Kyle and Micheal made some long throw-ins to their waiting half backs to maintain possession. Kyle Ritchie used his power and precision and placed several corner kicks squarely into the middle of the box.

GC tallied for a second time on a beautiful Brian Pratt goal after a nice passing combination between Matt Leto and Jack Metzler. Leto picked the ball up in mid-field and worked the outside with Jack making the overlapping run for the pass. Jack seized the moment and made a nice cross into the middle of the box where Stephan Hugel used his body to move the ball to a waiting Brian Pratt who hit a rocket near post into the back of the net.

Christopher Thomas, Marc Schwendemann and Brian Pratt working the offense.

Goalie Ryan Costigan made a series of outstanding saves punching the ball out and then saving a point blank shot with a kick save to preserve the shut-out. He was outstanding in goal and notched his sixth shut-out of the season.

Brian Defliese, sidelined with a shoulder injury, was missed on "D" but is expected to return to the lineup this weekend when the Thunderbolts take on Bayside premier at Fort Totten.

Way to go Thunderbolts! Go Garden City!!!!

Matt Greco and Kyle Ritchie Stephan Hugel after a run on goal.