Patriettes prepare for their first game of the spring season This past Saturday the Garden City U12 Patriettes completed their season with a match against the Stony Brook Elite. The two teams had played each other in the fall where the Elite beat the Patriettes 3-0 game. The game started out with the Elite in a very offensive mindset. For the first 5 minutes of the game Stony Brook had control of the field and the ball was constantly in the Patriettes defensive end. However, as they had all season the Patriettes defense lead by Julia Biscardi, Christie Pflume, Maddy Stone, Jillian Curtin and Isabel Balady in goal kept the opponents at bay. As the half progressed the Patriettes began to win more 50/50 balls and began to move the ball towards the opponent's end of the field. The midfield of Laurel Nothel, Erin Rode, Becky Reifler, Jillian Gregory and Margot McTiernan began to control the midfield and allow the Patriettes to make a number of strong runs towards the goal. The whistle blew to end the half with the score tied 0-0. Both teams knew the 2nd half would be a tightly contested battle. The Patriettes started the half with the ball and worked hard to try to get that all important first goal. The forwards lead by MaryKate Kenny, Caitlyn Kaczynski , Annie Kane and Kelly McDonnell put a tremendous amount of pressure on the Elite goal. There were a number of opportunities inside the 18 and a couple of corner kicks. However the stingy Stony Brook defense did not allow a goal. The last 5 minutes were a nail biter as the Elite put a tremendous amount of pressure on the Patriettes goal. As they had all season the defense, with midfield support kept the opponents from scoring earning the Patriettes a well deserved tie.

Patriettes get instructions for the last game of the season As the Patriettes look back on their spring campaign there are a lot of highlights. After starting the season with a tie and loss the girls had a 5 game winning streak. Additionally, there was the Manhasset game where the team battled back to win the game in the last 3 minutes with a well executed shot from the top of the 18. Not to be forgotten should be the Patriettes ability to shut down opponents from scoring. The Patriettes ended up allowing only 7 goals and 6 of them occurring in 2 games. The Patriettes had 6 shutouts to go with a +11 goal differential the best in their division. Lastly, a number of opponent coaches had told the Patriettes coaches that they saw how much the team improved from the fall season. Even thought a few teams still have games to play the Patriettes are assured at least a 3rd place finish in their very competitive division. CONGRATULATIONS girls on a wonderful season.