First Place GC Flash Undefeated At Covanta

Tianna ready for turnover (Photographs courtesy of Tyler Biscone). The U-11 Garden City Flash proved to be a force to be reckoned with at the Covanta Tournament last weekend. Last year's squad coached by Joe Galzerano, Charlie Cameron and John Derby had trained rigorously in anticipation of the highly competitive event and welcomed with open arms new teammates Tianna Biscone and Kelly Aneser.

The weather could not have been any better at Eisenhower Park on Saturday and Sunday as dedicated soccer dads sporting their Titlest, Mizuno and Taylor Made hats, having foregone weekend golf rounds, gathered with supportive soccer moms and the players' siblings to see the debut 2008/2009 performance of the mighty GC Flash as they battled in the most competitive bracket of the tournament.

In the 10 a.m. opening match against the Northport Extreme, the Flash played a tightly contested defensive duel in the scoreless first half. In the second half, the Flash experienced a distinct change in momentum scoring three unanswered goals by Isabel Klatt with a rocket to the back of the net, Tianna Biscone with a high arc curved shot that eluded the Extreme's keeper and a cannonball blast from Kerry Defliese.

Grace and Kelly on the run. Julia McGuire was the master cylinder in the midfield and together with Catherine Galzerano, Grace Cameron, Emily O'Neil, Kelly Aneser and Chloe Stapleford, the girls thwarted any and all offensive onslaughts to the extreme frustration of the talented Northport squad. Constant offensive pressure and numerous shots on goal by Michaela Bruno, Katie Muldoon and Grace Cameron wore the opposition down as the game progressed. The thrilling 3-0 shutout would not have been possible without "the Nicoles." Netkeepers Nicole Leto and Nicole Derby were flawless between the pipes as they rejected each and every scoring attempt.

At high noon the Flash faced an equally talented Bayport Thunder who had dominated the Flash last season. This was clearly the same Thunder but they faced a new and improved Flash. An incredible team effort and once again impeccable net keeping by the Nicoles ended with a zero-zero tie in what was a very exciting albeit scoreless game.

Chloe sweeps and Nicole L. Saves. On Sunday, the Flash was looking to extend their unbeaten streak as they faced the New Hyde Park Wildcats. The Flash struck early with the first goal scored by Klatt in the first two minutes followed by a second goal by Biscone. Once again, Bruno, Cameron, Galzerano and Muldoon pressured the New Hyde Park defenders. The Wildcats clawed back with a goal of their own leaving the Flash with a 2-1 lead at the half. Nicole Leto rejected a penalty kick and rebound shot at the end of the half and denied the opposition a tying goal. The Wildcats fought with desperation to even up the score but exemplary defensive play by Stapleford, McGuire, Aneser and O'Neil and diving saves by Derby caused them to come up empty handed. A powerful penalty kick by Defliese started a second half scoring barrage with additional goals being scored by Muldoon, Galzerano and Bruno as the Flash declawed the Wildcats by a score of 6-1. Nicole Derby blocked each and every shot fired by the Wildcats in the second half.

Catherine and Emily prepare for breakaway. The final game of the day proved to be the toughest challenge for the mighty Flash as they faced the POB Lightning. Although the Flash scored first courtesy of Muldoon, Lightning struck twice before the end of the half putting the Flash a goal behind at 2-1 for the first time in the tournament. While other teams may fold with adversity, the Flash struck back in the second half and Defliese evened the game up at two-all. The stalemate continued for what seemed like a nail-biting eternity until Biscone scored the go-ahead goal for a 3-2 lead. Defliese closed the deal with a safety goal leading to a tremendous 4-2 win against their toughest opponents yet.

The grand finale came on Monday when the Flash faced HBC at Soccer Park in Plainview. Another fine team effort put the Flash up two nil at the end of the first half on goals by McGuire and Bruno. Once again, the net keeping was flawless and the defense was awesome. Klatt wasted no time in the second half and scored the third Flash goal. The talented Huntington squad fought back valiantly but Nicole Leto sealed their fate when she found the back of the net for a 4-0 shutout. The Flash completed the tournament without a single loss to take the First Place Trophy and they did it with style!

Nicole L, Tianna and Julia warming up. Special thanks goes out to three dedicated coaches for getting the girls into shape for what promises to be an exciting season, to Tyler Biscone for his photography and to the Klatt family for providing between-game hydration and nourishment with fresh-cut watermelon.

Great job at Covanta Ladies! You have only just begun. Go Flash!!!

The Nicoles, Isabel and Michaela in post-game handshake.