Happy Maroon players The third grade lacrosse season ended on a positive note for the Maroon girls as they fought to a 5-3 win over Half Hollow Hills at the LAX Jamboree in Farmingdale this past weekend. The girls played great and enjoyed an end of year celebration with family and friends after the game.

As has been the case this year, the Maroon girls got a great effort from their goaltender, Melody Pompay, who made eight saves throughout the game and started the offense with some great clearing passes. The Maroons also were the more adept team at scooping ground balls and were on the top of their game with their passing. The excellent passing and catching skills of the girls were exemplified by Julia Kaval and Julia Gaberlavage, whose "give and go" play in the second half nearly resulted in a goal, but for the great save by the Half Hollow Hills goalie.

As she has done so often this year, Faith Kenny sparked the offense and put the Maroons up with the first goal of the game. Megan Slovensky, who had a strong game along with her defense counterparts of Deanna Weisenberger, Amanda Nastasi and Clare Casey, scooped a ground ball and after a strong run during which she dodged a number of defenders, passed the ball to Caroline Adams. Her feed to Faith was rewarded with Faith's goal. Faith, who had a three goal effort the week before against Wantagh, shot over the goalie's head for the first goal of the game for Maroon, to make the score at 2-1. Claire Haggerty made the score 2-2 after working a nice passing play with Noelle Sweeney and Anna Mandaro. Then, when Kaitlyn Randazzo scored to put the Maroons up by a goal on an assist from Julia Kaval, the Maroon girls did not look back.

Gabriella gets tough At midfield, Claire, Miller Overbeck Julia Kaval and Kerry McHugh all were effective handling the draws and controlling the ball for the Maroons. Claire Haggerty, Clare Casey and Julia Kaval lead the team in scooping ground balls. Kerry's defense lead to a three second violation on the goalie and she chipped in with three grounders as well. Regan Padala, Andrea Scicente, Gabriella Meringolo each played solid defense in the midfield and scooped ground balls to contribute to the win. The attack, including Katie Turbidy, Caroline, Noelle and Faith controlled the ball with the lead and kept the Half Hollow Hills team off balance. The first half ended with Garden City holding a 3-2 lead.

Melody makes outlet pass The Maroons got on the scoreboard first in the second half after a defensive interception by Deanna Weisenberger. As she has all year, Deanna ran the ball up into the offensive zone before passing the ball into the corner to Katie Turdbidy. Katie made a nice pass to the front of the goal to Anna, who placed a low shot passed the opposing goalie, to give the Maroons a 4-2 advantage. After Half Hollow Hills scored to make the score 4-3, another defensive play by Megan set up the final goal. Megan made a long run and pass to Anna. Anna, in turn found Caroline for a shot. Though the goalie made a great save on Caroline's effort, Kaitlyn scooped the rebound, went to the net and put into the net, to make the final score 5-3.

Clare for the defense After the game the Maroons, along with the other Garden City third grade girls team, were joined by family, friends and coaches to celebrate an enjoyable and successful season all enjoyed a wonderful buffet. The coaches would like to thank the parents, grandparents and friend who all contributed to making this a fun and exciting season for all. Special thanks to the Kenny family for their photos, the dads who helped with the scoring throughout the year and all those moms and dads who got the players to practices and games. Finally, the coaches want to extend a great big thanks to all the players who gave it their best all year long and who were a delight to coach. You are a truly special group of girls.

Noelle on attack Deanna on the run Faith scores! Miller awaits a pass