Andrew Costigan wins the ball Last Saturday, the third grade boys blue lacrosse team traveled to Suffolk County to take on their opponents from Half Hollow Hills East. The Garden City offense got off to a quick start. Middie Andrew Costigan sprinted into the offensive zone and fired a shot at Hills East's net only to be denied by an outstanding save by the keeper. Brian Greene next released a powerful shot only to have the ball strike the post. Attack Ryan George then turned and fired a shot at the goal and was likewise denied by another fine save by the Hills goalkeeper. Ian Gallagher gained control of the ball and released a well-placed shot at the East net, and the GC team took the lead. Middie John Griffith was impressive taking tough face-offs, and Luke Solferino, Colin Crean and Liam Muldoon ran tirelessly up and down the field, gaining the ball and feeding it to the GC attack. Unfortunately for the boys from GC, several shots went wide. The Hills East team pressured our defense, and Pat Kavan, Kieran Paskewitz and Jack Tynan responded with aggressive defense and great checks. Kyle MacLeod made multiple productive runs through the midfield on offense and pursued the Hills East boys tirelessly on defense. Stephen Adams impressed with his tremendous efforts on defense, and Matthew Desimpliciis showed off his skills with hard checking. John Brennan, Brendan Fitzgerald and Liam Glynn kept up the pressure on attack. Despite John McDonald making several key saves in the net, the Hills East team was able to put two goals in the net with some fine stick work and powerful shots.

Colin Crean in furious pursuit In the second half, the GC boys came out strong determined to gain back the lead. Luke Solferino took his turn in the goal, and middie Colin Crean was determined to win the ball on face-offs. Matthew Desimpliciis continued to check his opponents frequently and fiercely. Andrew Costigan battled for ground balls and fed Liam Muldoon who quickly aimed and fired at the Hills East net only to be denied on another great save by his opponent's keeper. Patrick Kavan displayed his skills at winning loose balls and excellent clears. GC finally got a powerful shot past the Hills East goalie, and the game was tied at 2. Kieran Paskewitz was denied on his blistering shot at the opposing goal, but Kieran responded to the next opportunity with a crisp pass to John McDonald who blasted a shot into the Hills East net. GC 3, Hills East 2. GC gained a further lead when Jack Tynan won a ground ball leading to a ferocious shot into the back of the Hills East net. The GC boys continued to relentlessly fire shots at the Hills East net only to be denied any further scoring due to the outstanding play of the Hills East goalie. The Hills East team never quit, and play found its way into the Garden City end of the field. Along with the outstanding second half defensive work of Pat Kavan, Jack Tynan, and Brian Greene, goalie Luke Solferino made multiple key saves and fed the ball brilliantly back out to the GC middies. The tremendous efforts of the Garden City boys resulted in a 4-4 tie against a very talented Half Hollows Hills East team.

Ryan George marks his man

Great check by Liam Muldoonr