Xtreme At Covanta Tournament

Kelsey Whitney contains her opponent

This past weekend the Garden City Xtreme U11 girl's soccer team participated in the East Meadow Soccer Tournament, sponsored by Covanta Energy. The Xtreme were put in a division with a team from Manhattan, one from Suffolk and three teams from Nassau County. The team worked hard all summer on the new changes to the U11 format (9 v 9). With two extra players on the field, the team had lots to learn. As the tournament progressed, the Xtreme showed better understanding of the newly learned tactics and displayed great teamwork.

The tournament opened with a newly found rival, the Hicksville United. It was the second time the teams have battled. This match ended like the first, in a tie. The Xtreme dominated the match, out shooting the United by a large margin. Colette Seel scored the first goal of the season for the Xtreme. Alison Holfester played the ball into the box after winning the ball at midfield. Colette one timed it into the net to give her team the lead. The United tied the match on an indirect kick from 10 yards out. With plenty of time remaining, the Xtreme continued to win the 50/50 balls in the middle third and kept the United defense under pressure. With 13 minutes remaining, Lauren Miesemer took a cross from Kelsey Whitney and Lauren put the ball behind the United keeper to give the Xtreme the lead. Unfortunately, the United had one last counter attack and scored with less than a minute remaining.

The Xtreme players. Top row L ro R: Kelsey Whitney, Alison Holfester, Cara Adams, Sam Derby, Katie Roscoe, Deanna DePierro, and Alicia Mueller. Bottom row L to R: Joanna Sokolovic, Jenna Codignotto, Lauren Miesemer, Isabel McKeown, Sam Miesemer, and Colette Seel.

The second match had the Xtreme playing against the Manhattan Hotspur. Sam Derby was in goal for the Xtreme. Sam and the defense worked hard, shutting down a talented Hotspur team. Alicia Mueller, Deanna DiPierro and Jenna Codignotto were the back line for the team. Each marked well, won numerous balls and sent the halfbacks and forwards on the attack. With 12 minutes remaining in the match, Cara Adams carried down the right side and sent a ball into the 18 yards box. Joanna Sokolovic fired the ball immediately over the keepers head for the match winner.

Katie Roscoe sends the ball away from the attacker

Sunday's first match was against the West Islip Shooting Stars. The West Islip team was big and physical. An early goal by the Shooting Stars had the Xtreme behind within the first few minutes. The Shooting Stars went on to score two more goals early in the second half for what seemed to end any chance the Xtreme had of winning. But with 15 minutes remaining in the second half, the Xtreme was awarded a penalty kick. Lauren Miesemer drove a perfectly placed ball into the goal to get her team back in the match. Kelsey Whitney, Katie Roscoe and Sam Miesemer were in the halfbacks. Their determination and quickness to the ball turned the match around in the Xtreme favor. Under pressure with 7 minutes remaining, the West Islip team fouled an Xtreme player. Deanna DiPierro then buried a free kick into the upper left hand corner of the goal to give the Xtreme tremendous momentum. With relentless determination for the balance of the match, time ran out and the Xtreme lost the match 3-2. Although it was a loss, the team displayed awesome offensive and defensive capabilities.

Jenna Codignotto puts pressure on the attacker

Sunday's second game had the Xtreme battling the Lynbrook/Rockaway Lady Dragons. In a match where the Xtreme were faster than the Lady Dragons, the Dragons sat back on defense to try to minimize the Xtreme speed. The strategy worked as the Xtreme were only held to one goal. The Lady Dragons scored first on a drive into the goal. Seven minutes later, Jenna Codignotto won a 50/50 ball and found Isabel McKeown on the top of the penalty area. Isabel quickly spun and sent a low drive into the goal to tie the score. With five minutes remaining, the Lynbrook team was awarded a penalty kick, which they converted to win the match.

The fifth and final match on Monday had the Xtreme up against a local rival, the RVC Rage. The Xtreme had played excellent soccer all weekend and were looking to leave the tournament on a positive note. With a brilliant 50 minute effort, the Xtreme won a very exciting match 2-1. The first two minutes of play had the Rage putting pressure on the Xtreme defense. Soon thereafter, the Xtreme starting winning possession of the ball and went on the attack. Moving the ball to the corners, the Xtreme forwards and halfbacks sent quality crosses into the RVC 18 yard box. At the 14 minute mark, Katie Roscoe got possession of one of the crosses, drove to space and blasted the ball into the net to put her team up 1-0. Ten minutes later Alicia Mueller played Joanna in on goal. Joanna put one touch on the ball and then sent a rocket of a shot into the goal for the team's second goal. Being up 2-0 at half, the Xtreme knew good defense would secure the victory. Sam Derby, Deanna DiPierro and Alison Holfester were in at halfback. Dominating the middle third prevented the Rage from mustering many quality attacks. Sam Miesemer was in goal for the Xtreme in the second half. Sam did splendidly, stopping all the Rage shots on goal. The only goal scored by the RVC team was on a penalty kick late in the second half.

Sam Miesemer races to win the ball

Overall it was a very worthwhile weekend for the Xtreme. Their 2-2-1 record put them in a tie for third place. More importantly, the had an enjoyable weekend and laid a good foundation for hopefully a very successful season.

Deanna DePierre sprints to win the 50/50 ball

Colette Seel goes past the defender Joanna Sokolovic fires a shot on goal Isabel McKeown shields the ball