Flash Best Second Place Port Washington

Nicole Leto heads down the wing.

On October 27, the Garden City Flash remained undefeated, beating the second place Port Washington Pumas 3-0 at St. Paul's to solidify their hold on the top spot in the division. The Flash began the game steadily pressuring their opponents, moving the ball around the field and generating several decent chances. Although the girls delivered some good shots, the Port Washington keeper was up to the challenge. A third of the way through the half, the team broke through. A Katherine Galzerano corner fell kindly to Katie Muldoon in the center of the box, who popped the ball past the goalie to put the Flash ahead. Several minutes later, Julia McGuire capitalized on scramble in front of the net to punch the ball off the left hand post and past the keeper for a 2-0 lead. While multiple forays down the wings by Michaela Bruno, Nicole Leto and Emily O'Neill produced dangerous shots, the Flash were unable to beat the goalie again and the half ended with the Flash up by two.

The second half brought more of the same, with the Flash regularly penetrating the Port Washington defense on the wings and generating multiple high quality shots. Continuing sterling play from the Pumas' keeper kept the Flash from enlarging their margin until halfway through the final period. Then, a Julia McGuire corner skipped through a congested area to the top of the box on the left side. Left back Chloe Stapleford alertly pushed forward and belted a low drive into the side netting on the right hand side to make it 3-0. Despite continued pressure from Nicole Derby and the rest of the second half forwards, however, the team was unable to tally again.

Julia McGuire pushes upfield with support from Chloe Stapleford.

The defense, consisting of Grace Cameron, Kerry Defliese, Isabel Klatt, and Chloe Stapleford completely smothered their opponents. Not only were the Pumas unable to manage a single shot on goal the entire game, but keepers Nicole Derby and Nicole Leto did not even have to touch the ball until late in the second half.

For the second week in a row, the girls played well despite difficult conditions. A slight drizzle at the outset of the game grew steadily worse and large portions of the second half were played in a driving rain. Fortunately, it was warm and, far from being upset, several of the girls pronounced the experience "really cool." While their soggy parents were less enthusiastic, all are looking forward to next Saturday, when the Flash will look to extend their unbeaten streak at Great Neck.

Kerry Defliese hurdles past a Port Washington defender