Goalbusters Are Undefeated And Division Champions

Emily Winchurch and Katie McCarthy outrun the Commack defender toward the net

The Goalbusters, a GU14 Garden City travel soccer team ended their 2007 Spring season as Division champions. Although their win/loss record (5 wins, 0 losses and 4 ties) tied with another team in their division, the Goalbusters lead the division with giving up just five goals the entire season, which secured the championship title.

The Goalbusters played two league games on Father's Day weekend. On Saturday, they won their match against the Commack Spirit with a score of 4-1. The Goalbuster defense once again kept their opponent out of scoring range by blocking offensive drives. This helped the Goalbuster offense by feeding the ball into Commack's end. With excellent teamwork and great passes, the Goalbuster middies and forwards worked the Spirit goaltender over by taking good shots-on-goal.

On Sunday, the much anticipated match against the Garden City Fireballs took place at Community Park. It was hot and sunny for the 8:30 am. start. The two hometown teams went head-to-head for the first time in league play. Since many of the girls are friends, it made for an interesting contest. However, friendships put aside, the two teams battled every minute, both teams desiring to place that "W" in their column. The Fireballs drew first blood in the early part of the second half. However, their jubilation didn't last too long as the Goalbusters answered with a goal of their own, quickly evening the score to 1-1. In spite of the physical tactics being used on the field, the Fireballs were no match for the skills and speed of the Goalbuster squad, winning most of the 50-50 balls and maintaining possession. The Goalbuster offense took many shots-on-goal, keeping the Fireball goaltender busy and being forced to make excellent saves for the Fireballs. However, the technical skills and tenacity of the Goalbusters helped put them over the top when they scored their second goal late in the second half. At the sound of the referee's whistle, the Goalbusters were once again victorious. Head coach Walt Winchurch had the pleasure of telling the girls that with this win against the Fireballs, the Goalbusters were Division II Champions, which resulted in an outburst of screams of joy. The team celebrated their success with bagels and donuts at the field and later for ice cream.

The Garden City Goalbusters, Division Champions

This 2007 season proved to be a great season for the Goalbusters. They went undefeated, scored a total of 17 goals, and their defense gave up only 5 goals for the season.

Carly Cento and Christine Codignotto put pressure on Commack's offense

Goalie Kate Butcher, defender Carly Cento, midfielder Krysta Cento, defender Christine Codignotto, midfielder Elizabeth Mahoney, defender Katie McCarthy, midfielder Colleen Mullin, midfielder Cate Murphy, forward Kelly Reis, midfielder Mikaela Rix, forward Maria Sokolovich, defender "T" Takach, forward Caroline Tarzian, defender Lauren Williams, midfielder Emily Winchurch, defender Kara Zerille played a flawless game with skill, teamwork and determination and deserve the success they achieved over the past Spring season.

Head coach Walt Winchurch and assistant coaches Bill Mahoney and Pete Takach helped keep the girls focused on the thing they do best; compete. Trainer Penny deserves a big thank you for running the practices in which many of the skills were learned. She made the practices fun for the girls and worthwhile. As a result, the girls are better players because of those practices.

The Goalbusters look forward to their first travel soccer season next Fall as high school athletes. But this season will undoubtedly be the one that will be talked about for a long time.