Another "W" For The U-10 Warriors!

Matt Flynn on Defense makes sure a Warrior possession stays a "Warrior possession!"

The RED-HOT boys U-10 Warriors edged out the First Place team in their division - the Manhasset Blades - by a score of 2-1 on Saturday, June 2nd. The Warriors are now in 2nd Place, with 2 regular season games to go. A 3rd game, a make-up from a May 19th postponement, gives them an extra advantage to gain more points in the standings over their First Place rivals.

In the Manhasset game, it seemed "all Warriors" from the beginning. The Warrior Defense made it almost easy for the aggressive and talented Warrior Offense. Defenders Matt Flynn, James Walsh, and Matt Greiner have all come into their own, optimizing their unique talents and pooling them together to create outstanding Defense: The very tall Flynn is a "header-and-trapping" machine who usually wins the 50-50 air balls; Walsh is "King of the Big Boot;" and the super-speedy and agile Greiner beats his opponents to the ground balls and keeps them.

The Warrior Offense dominated possession, making endless shots on goal that were all saved by the Manhasset goalie. Jonathan Granville and Owen Fisher were instrumental offensively in bringing the ball down the field. Brogan Mahon and Kyle Brattan volleyed, and Kyle made the shot . . . Boink! Off the crossbar. Then John Simmons had a great hard-liner into the lower corner of the net . . . saved. Timmy Foxen and Gerard Smith came in: Foxen got near the goal and shot . . . saved. Smith bent a very cool shot from down on the left side of the field . . . Is it in? No, it's saved. So close!

John Simmons takes a breather after an exciting goal to tie the game.

Meanwhile, Manhasset got very few offensive opportunities, and the few shots on goal were saved by the Warriors very lonely goal tender, Chris Larkin. A perfectly placed Manhasset shot into the upper corner was simply un-savable, despite a huge jumping effort by Larkin. 1-0 Manhasset at the half.

The Warriors continued their offensive attack in the 2nd half, and scored 2 goals with outstanding teamwork and assists. Goal 1: James Walsh booted it from behind the center line, perfectly aimed at Jonathan Granville, who fielded it beautifully. Granville took it down further and crossed to John Simmons. Simmons dribbled around 2 defenders, got knocked over, got right back up - still with the ball - and kept going. Simmons shoots. He nailed it! Simmons scores! Tie 1-1.

Outstanding Defense! Matt Greiner blocks as James Walsh turns the ball; midfielder Jonathan Granville is in position to receive pass.

Late in the 2nd half Owen Fisher snatched the ball and broke away; he took it down to the goal with a hard shot, but a defender deflected it. Then Kyle Brattan brought the ball down; Timmy Foxen picked it up and passed to Grerard Smith. "Knock-Knock." "Who's there?" It's Gerard Smith, banging at the goal and he won't go away. Smith knocked it close 3 consecutive times; the goalie made 3 tremendous saves. (You'll get 'em next time, Gerard!)

Goal 2: This took about 4 seconds, and it was perfect soccer. Here's how it unfolded: Matt Greiner threw in, deep in Manhasset territory. John Simmons trapped it, kept it, and turned it. Brogan Mahon was able to ditch his defender and got open as Simmons crossed to him; Mahon drilled it into the high corner . . . GOAL! The Warrriors take the lead 2-1.

Brogan Mahon traps the ball, gets control, and turns it before shooting on goal.

The game whistle is a beautiful sound when you're winning, and that whistle signaled another victory for the Warriors. The boys can't wait to take on Albertson tomorrow, June 9th, at 11:10 at Nassau Haven. GO, Warriors! First Place is in sight!

Kyle Brattan keeps the Offensive pressure on. Gerard Smith (#3) had 3 consecutive shots on goal that kept the goalie busy; Owen Fisher is there to follow up. James Walsh's huge defensive boot resulted in a goal: Picked up by Jonathan Granville and shot into the net by John Simmons.