The Third Grade Girls Maroon team bounced back with a big win this past Sunday. After a tough loss to Manhasset in their last outing, the girls played with renewed determination and skill and defeated Huntington Hills, 9-5 with a true team effort.

The attack players were effective throughout the game with their short passing game and accurate shot-making and scored on a very high percentage of their shots. The Attack players had a great game and Caroline Adams, Noelle Sweeney and Faith Kenny scored 6 goals amongst them, with Caroline getting three. Of course it was the work of the defenders and midfielders scooping ground balls and running the ball out of trouble that put the attack in position for all of those great shots. Goalkeeper Melody Pompay was hot early and kept the Huntington team off of the scoreboard with two great saves in the opening minutes and was steady throughout, with 5 saves for the game.

Once the offense revved up, Garden City did not look back. Faith's goal on an assist from Miller Overbeck opened the scoring for the Maroon. Anna Mandaro scooped a ground ball and after a long run, fed Miller, whose pass set up Faith's low bounced shot. An outlet pass by Melody to Anna set up the second goal. Anna then passed to Caroline in front of the goal and she put in her first of the day. After Huntington scored on two straight possessions to tie the score at 2-2, the goal tending and defense set up the next two goals. Twice, after saves by Melody, Deanna Weisenberger scooped the rebounds and ran the ball up to the offensive restraining line. First, she passed to Katie Turbidy, who scooped the ground ball and then assisted on Noelle's first of the game. Then, she passed up field to Miller and Miller, Caroline and Claire Haggerty worked the passing game until Claire put home a high shot to give Garden City a 4-2 lead. Kerry McHugh had a big part in the last two goals of the first half, first assisting on a goal by Caroline, then taking a pass from Noelle before putting home the low hard shot that made the score 6-3 at the half.

The midfielders kept control of the ball by aggressively defending the opponents and snaring the grounders. All of the midfielders contributed to the team effort. Julia Kaval, Jenna Ruhl, Julia Gaberlavage, Michaela McGovern, Regan Padala, Gabrielle Meringolo, Kaitlyn Randazzo and Caroline Rieger controlled midfield by fighting for ground balls and playing tight defense. Among the defenders, Amanda Nastasi was very effective with 4 ground balls and by running the ball out of the defensive zone, particularly in the second half. Her run and outlet pass to Faith lead to Faith's assist on the seventh goal for the Maroon. Megan Slovensky, Clare Casey and Deanna all had key ground balls and interceptions and played their typically physical brand of defense. In the second half Kerry also helped on defense.

Julia Kaval's pass to Claire allowed Claire to set up Noelle's second of the game, which made it 8-4. Even then, when forced to make 3 complete passes (catches in the air) because they were up by 4 goals, the Maroons still scored, with Katie making it a 9-4 game before Huntington's late goal made it a 9-5 final score.

It was certainly a well-played and satisfying win. The coaches appreciate the hard work by the players in preparing for the games. Also, the coaches would like to extend a special thanks to Tom Nastasi for keeping statistics and being timekeeper at home games. Next week's game is at home on Sunday against Wantagh at 4:30 at the Garden City High School field.