U10 Wildcats Defeat Farmingdale

Celia on the attack...

The Garden City Wildcats won their 5th straight game last Saturday as they defeated the Farmingdale Shamrocks by the score of 5-2 at St. Paul's. The Wildcats have been an offensive machine during this inaugural season and they proved relentless once again. In the 2nd minute of the match, Kelly George stepped into an attempted clearing pass by the Farmingdale defense and blasted a 20 yard shot into the net for an early 1-0 lead. Farmingdale awoke from that mistake and mounted pressure on the Wildcat defense and tested goalkeeper Marlee Rich. She made a brilliant save on an in-close shot but when the defense couldn't clear the ball, a Shamrock striker scored to tie the game 1-1. But that was as close as they would get as the Wildcats controlled the game with their passing and speed. Jacqui Brattan, working up front with Kelly G and Emma W, scored to put the Wildcats up 2-1. Minutes later, Emma weaved her way inside the Shamrock defensive area and shot the ball into the goalkeeper. Celia Concannon likewise blasted a shot from inside the area which the goalkeeper made a fine save on. However, the Wildcats were undeterred and after making a run with the ball, Megan Seel was tripped inside the offensive penalty area and was awarded a penalty kick which she converted and the Wildcats lead was 3-1. The Shamrocks stepped up their physical play but the Wildcats were all-in for some tough tackling Defensive partners Devon Heaney, Gabriella Rogers and Kelly Donovan were terrific in shielding off opposing Shamrock attackers. The same could be seen from the Wildcat midfielders and upon winning a ball during one sequence; Kelly George made a nice one-touch pass to Kate Farrell who scored to put the Wildcats up 4-1 at halftime.

Kate moving in for a goal...

With some room to breath, the Wildcats showed no letup and out-worked their opponent. In the early minutes of the second half Celia Concannon took the ball and headed up the sideline toward the opposing corner. She passed the ball to Taylor Gladd who then dished it to Jacqui Brattan for a shot that the Shamrock keeper saved. Moments later Megan Seel unloaded a shot which was saved by the keeper. The girls showed tremendous support for each other in the forms of communication, overlapping and ball distribution. The Shamrock defense were on their heels midway through the half as once again Megan Seel carried the ball up the far side to the goal line and pulled her pass back to the near post finding Devon Heaney who one-timed it beautifully for a goal and a 5-1 lead. The Wildcat defense tightened up and Maggie Casey and Kate Farrell were brilliant in front of Kelly Donovan, the Wildcats second half goalie who also made a couple of fine saves in addition to clearing the ball away via punting or coming off her line to complete a pass. Farmingdale did get one last goal in the closing minutes of the game, but it was Garden City once again who came away with a well deserved win. The Wildcats now stand tied with Albertson Red Fury 98 atop the Nassau Major division as the girls head into their Columbus Day weekend tournament in Windsor, CT. Well done Wildcats !

Marlee re-starts the attack after some nice D...