Xtreme Try To Tame The Panthers

Katie Roscoe shields the ball.

Last Saturday the Xtreme traveled to Soccer Park in Plainview to battle the Levittown Panthers. The Xtreme were looking to win their third match in a row. The Panthers were known for having lots of offensive fire power. Although both teams had multiple scoring chances, the Panthers capitalized on more of theirs and won the match 5-1.

Four minutes into the match, the Panthers scored on a corner kick to get the lead. Although Levittown now had the lead, the match was evenly played for the next eight minutes. Each team had effective runs forward, only to be stopped by the keepers. At the 13-minute mark of the half, Lauren Miesemer played a ball wide to a sprinting Colette Seel. Colette ran onto the ball and drove a well-struck shot past the keeper to tie the match. Th Xtreme were now back in the match. Unfortunately, the Panthers scored two more times in the half. Having staged some great comebacks this season, the Xtreme didn't give up. The team pushed forward, knowing the next goal was vital. However, a goal off of a quick counter attack by the Panthers ended the Xtreme hope of a victory.

Jenna Codignotto races to the ball.

Although the team was disappointed after losing Saturday's match against the Panthers, looking back it was a very successful season. It all started last June when the Xtreme added three talented players to the existing team. Alicia Mueller, Shannon Tierney and Kelsey Whitney became members of the Xtreme. They fit in perfectly right from the start. Shannon was quick with the goal keeping. Shannon and Sam Derby did a remarkable job for their team. Besides the team practices, Shannon and Sam spent countless hours working on their goal keeping skills. Under tremendous pressure at times, each keeper stepped up and played very well. Deanna DiPierro anchored a relentless and stubborn defense. Deanna took most of her team's free kicks, usually playing balls that caused havoc on the opposition. Sam Miersemer, Jenna Codignotto, Sam D, and Alicia played on the outside in the back. These outside stoppers marked, tracked down and denied many scoring opportunities by their opponent. Our midfielders, Cara Adams, Alison Holfester, Katie Roscoe, Colette, Shannon and Kelsey are all two-way soccer players. Each player showed a superb effort in getting back on defense, making sure no opponent had a numbers advantage on their team. On the offensive, the players hit their targets, made attacking runs and won the majority of battles for possession in the middle third. Match after match, our three forwards, Isabel McKeown, Lauren and Joanna Sokolovic did an awesome job of distributing the ball to the outside midfielders. All three players have a great touch on the ball and blinding speed.

Isabel McKeown goes by the defenders.

The reams 5-3-1 record was good enough for 4th place in division 1, up from 7th place in the past spring. The team looks forward to playing the fast and furious indoor game throughout the winter and hopefully continued success in the spring.

Colette Seel goes 1 v 1. Kelsey Whitney goes on the attack. Shannon Tierney carries up the field. Lauren Miesemer maneuvers around the defender.