Jackie Wisniewski controls the ball. The girls U15 Fireballs have really come out of the gate quickly this season, winning another match last Saturday against rival Albertson. The win advances the girls to the quarterfinals of the Waldbaum's Cup for the third straight year. The match against the Fury was played as expected - with a lot of intensity, a high level of skill and decided by one goal. Fortunately for the Fireballs they scored the lone goal of the game for the victory and now advance. This will not be the last time these two rivals battle it out as they take the pitch in two weeks for a regular season game.

With these two teams so evenly matched and playing every ball hard, much of the game was contested in the middle third of the field. As a team, the Fireballs stepped up to every challenge and played strong throughout the match. A tremendous effort was put in by keeper Joanna Matuza, who made several big saves, but none bigger than stopping a penalty kick with under 5 minutes to play to preserve the win.

The decisive goal came early in the game when the Fireballs counterattack was too quick for the Fury defense and an overly aggressive keeper was forced to come out of the goal. With a terrific ball over the top, Meaghan Walsh had Daniella Sampram making a run behind the Fury defense. With the keeper coming way out to play the ball with her feet, the clearing attempt hit Daniella and the momentum carried it through the box and into the back of the net. Getting a great game from the entire team, the Fireballs mounted several other scoring chances that were stopped by a formidable Fury defense. On their defensive side of the ball, GC played a strong team defense, with especially strong games from Christine Malhame, Amanda Murolo and Michelle Rotondo, to maintain their third straight shutout.

Monique Roberge turns with the ball. The Fireballs had to come back on Sunday morning and take the long drive out to Bayport for a 9:30 State Cup game against the Bayport Power, a top Region 1 Premier team. Knowing that they were going to have to not only duplicate their previous days performance but take it up a notch, the Fireballs took the field trying to shorten the match and keep the Power on their heels. GC did force the action early with their speed and tried to disrupt Bayport, but this was a quality team they were matched up against with a target striker better than they had ever seen. The Fireball defense managed the game well until at about the 20 minute mark when the Power forced a quick turnover off a throw in and chipped the ball into their target - and in what seemed like a second, took control, turned, gained a step and fired the ball into the net. A great play and finish. The Fireballs didn't back down and put some pressure on the Power defense only to be stoned by a very quick keeper. With less than a minute remaining in the half Bayport was able to capitalize on another turnover, and the same striker was able to bury her second goal of the game. In the second half the Fireballs tried to force the action and had a couple of good chances but again were stopped until late in the game Monique Roberge was able to find the back of the net for a GC goal.

Meaghan Walsh carries. So two games, both played hard and a very high level - one a victory to advance and the second, a tough loss and the end of the State Cup road. The girls take this weekend off but return on April 27 in a return match against Albertson out at the Soccer Park. Good luck!

Erin Dean is first to the ball.

Daniella Sampram at the top of the box.