Katie Gillan shifts from defense to offense, with star defender Kerry McCarraher in support. The Garden City Girls U-11 Force team faced the Bellmore Cyclones in their opening game this season. Both teams arrived at St Pauls with the threat of Tropical Storm Hannah overhead. The game began and the Force got off to a strong start with an offense led by Katie Gillan, Annie Walsh and Caroline Kenny, who each, had at least two shots on goal. Unfortunately, none found the net in the first half. At the other end of the field, Bellmore faced the same frustration, as the Force defense led by Lily Shannon, Caitlin Cunningham and Kerry McCarraher continually denied the Cyclones offense. Maddie McCabe, acting as goalie in the first half, was not interested in allowing the Cyclones to score either, as she tallied up six saves in the first half. In the second half, the Force midfielders including Lizzie Rieger, Erin Pasquale and Shelby Rivielle continued to apply the pressure on the Cyclones defense. Catherine Honan moved to goalie, and early in the second half, made two impressive saves, before the skies opened up, and the momentum of the game changed. The Cyclones scored on a cross kick to the opposite corner of the net. The Force tried to keep the pressure on with Janine Schwendemann, Alicia Cristoforo and Anne Randazzo working the ball down the field to set up the offense. But, every time, the Cyclone defense denied the Force. The Cyclones then scored twice in two minutes and the game ended with the the Force losing a tough home opener 3-0. Thought it was a tough loss to start with, the Force is looking forward to a better ending next week, when they travel to Merrick, to face the South Merrick Dynamite. Go Force!

Annie Randazzo, showing her incredible speed, overtakes the Bellmore Cyclones defender.

Brilliant defense from Caroline Kenny, as she clears the ball into Cyclone territory.Lilly Shannon executes a perfect kick to drive the ball to her waiting Force midfielders.Maddie McCabe thwarts another Cyclone attack, while Annie Randazzo provides defensive support.Kerry McCarraher, once again, shuts the door on another Cyclone break-away.