The Sparks - Champions: Standing (left to right): Caroline Beaty, Sabrina Rodgers, Taylor Carpentier, Erin Connelly, Kayla Murphy, Katherine Malhame; Kneeling: Haley O'Hanlon, Annie Blanco, Sarah Rubino, Kate DeMarco; Bottom: Shannon Callahan Over the Memorial Day holiday weekend, the Garden City Sparks (Girls U-13) traveled to the Fairfax/Manassas/Springfield, Virginia area, just outside of Washington, DC, to play in the Virginian soccer tournament. Playing the entire Tournament in 85 degree weather without any subs, the Sparks took home the championship cup for the Premier Silver Division. The Premier Silver Division consisted of 12 teams, broken down into three groups of four teams each.

The Sparks, playing in Group B, opened the Tournament by playing the first 15 minutes of the first game with only eight players (against 11 players for their opponent, a local team from Springfield, Virginia named the SYC Xplosion). The Sparks kept the game scoreless until their other three teammates arrived. Although the Sparks pressured the Xplosion's goal, only Caroline Beaty found the net and the Sparks eventually fell 2-1. The Sparks rebounded in their second game, completely dominating their opponent and winning by the score of 5-0. Erin Connelly opened and closed the scoring for the Sparks, sandwiched around goals from Kayla Murphy, Sarah Rubino and Sabrina Rodgers. The Sparks remained on a roll in their third game, with goals from Kayla Murphy, Erin Connelly and Sarah Rubino providing the scoring in a 3-0 win. As the Tournament progressed, the Sparks became known as "the team with 11 players."

Sarah goes airborne After each team played the other three teams in its Group, the winners of each of the three Groups, along with the top-seeded "wildcard" team, advanced to the semi-final round. Based on their scoring barrage and outstanding defense in back-to-back shutouts in their second and third games, the Sparks earned the number one "wildcard" spot and played the winner of Group A in their fourth game, with the winner advancing to the championship game. The Sparks started off slowly, as fatigue temporarily took its toll, and quickly fell behind 2-0. However, the defense stiffened, Haley O'Hanlon and Katherine Malhame controlled the midfield, Caroline Beaty got the Sparks on the board, and the Sparks trailed 2-1 at the half. In the second half, Caroline Beaty scored again to tie the score, and the Sparks frustrated every attempt by the Group A winner to take the lead. Regulation ended in a 2-2 tie, and the teams had to play two 10-minute (non-sudden death) overtime periods. With just minutes to go in the second overtime period, Caroline Beaty completed the hat trick and gave the Sparks a 3-2 lead. Keeper Taylor Carpentier preserved the win with an outstanding save off of a direct kick with just seconds to go.

Shannon scores the game-winning goal in the Championship The Sparks' opponent in the championship game was the SYC Xplosion, their foe from the first game, and the Sparks were determined to avenge their only loss. Playing their fifth game in 48 hours, the Sparks controlled the game from the outset and pressured the Xplosion goal. The Sparks' defense, led by Kate DeMarco, Sabrina Rodgers, Annie Blanco and Sarah Rubino, continued their tough play and thwarted every scoring attempt by the Xplosion. Shannon Callahan gave the Sparks a 1-0 lead with a beautiful header with seven minutes left in the game. The Xplosion was desperate to tie the game as the clocked ticked down, but the Sparks kept control of the ball and the game ended in a 1-0 Sparks' championship victory. Each of the Sparks was presented with a championship trophy (and shirt), as were head coach Rob Malhame and assistant coach Dave Beaty. The long ride home immediately after the championship game was much more enjoyable because of the Sparks' inspired play.

Erin, Sabrina, Katherine, Annie and Kate celebrate with Shannon Playing for the Sparks in the Tournament were Caroline Beaty, Annie Blanco, Shannon Callahan, Taylor Carpentier, Erin Connelly, Kate DeMarco, Katherine Malhame, Kayla Murphy, Haley O'Hanlon, Sabrina Rodgers and Sarah Rubino. Teammates Emma Gallagher, Lauren Mixon and Kaitlyn Gorman were unable to attend.

Taylor makes a save in the Championship game Kayla drills a header for a goal