Miller shoots on goal. It was a clear blue sky which greeted the Garden City Third Grade Girls Maroon team in Wantagh for a game against their Wantagh counterparts. This was a tough but well played game that went down to the wire. A goal by Wantagh in the last two minutes of the game, however, was the difference in a 6-5 game.

Both teams exhibited good passing skills early and were evenly matched. The early lead went to Garden City. Miller Overbeck got one of the three first half goals for team Maroon on a low and hard free shot. She was set up for that shot by passes from Claire Haggerty and Caroline Adams. Miller played on an effective line of midfielders including Julia Gabralavage, Melody, Anna Mandaro and Clare Hegarty (in the first half). Claire Haggerty substituted in goal for Clare Casey, the starting goal tender. Both had big saves on the rare instances when Wantagh was able to get past the tough Maroon defense and each also had a save on a free shot in the game. Among the leaders of the defense were Megan Slovensky, Amanda Nastasi, Julie Demarco, Julia Kaval and Deanna Weisenberger. Megan Slovensky had interceptions in both halves, and each of the defenders scooped multiple ground balls and each deftly ran the ball out of trouble through the game.

A goalie prepares Jenna Ruhl and Kerry McHugh both were effective on draws as were Miller and Claire. Jenna and Kerry also both had multiple ground balls, as did their line mate Caroline Rieger. Michaela McGovern and Gabrielle Meringolo each had nice runs after interceptions or ground balls with Gabrielle getting off a shot in the second half which just missed high. That shot was set up by a nice passing play starting with a pass from Megan to Jenna, who set up Gabrielle's shot.

The lead see-sawed back and forth through the first half and the game was tied 3-3 at halftime. Crisp passing and an attention to grounders kept the attack moving and Garden City took a 4-3 lead to start the half. Caroline Adams had two goals in the game, one in each half. On the latter, Julia Kaval made a long run up the field, cradling the ball well before passing to Jenna, who got the assist on a pretty backhand shot by Caroline Adams. Faith Kenny also earned an assist in the game. She, along with Andrea Sciscente and Noelle Sweeney rounded out the attack lines. Noelle, Andrea and Faith all contributed by scooping several ground balls.

Swarming defense The game was tight throughout, and with Clare Casey - a midfielder in the second half - also getting a goal, the score was tied 5-5 in the final minutes. A beautiful save on a free shot by Claire was not enough, however, as Wantagh was able to sneak one through with about 1:40 left in the game. The Maroons tried until the end but ran out of time as Faith was running upfield toward the Wantagh goal.

The coaching staff wants to thank all of the parents who help make the games fun for all. The next game is versus West Islip on the turf at Garden City High School at 3 pm, though players are to be at the field by 2:30.