Murphy with the perfect corner... The GC Rovers got their first taste of Windsor Soccer Tournament and it was delicious. The boys played some of their best soccer of the year and took on some of best Connecticut had to offer. In their first game the Rovers were matched up with a Farmington team that was previously undefeated and one of the state’s top programs. Although the Rovers and parents heard the rumblings on how they were going to kick the Rovers butts, the hard nose play and unwavering confidence that starts with the coaches and ends with the players and parents, put an end to that statement as the Rovers prevailed 4 to 3. The boys had the Farmington parents shaking their heads in astonishment. For the boys next game they took on a very talented team made up of allstars from UConn and gave them a run for their money. The score was 0-0 with 15 minutes left in the game when goalie Justin “The Bloody Giant” Coppola took one to the face and had to leave the field with a face covered in blood(no tears though). The West Hartford team took advantage and put up 4 goals. With nothing to lose the Rovers pushed forward for 2 goals before running out of time and came up short 4-2. The boys then kept up their energy with a night of bowling with the other teams, great time was had by all, including the coaches and parents. On Sunday the boys took the pitch to play a Windsor Club just not on their level and even with no subs the boys came away with a 8-0 win and showed great class by passing and playing defense so not to rub it in on their opponents. REMATCH TIME came at 3pm on Sunday against a Farmington team looking for blood or just a win. The Rovers played again one of its best games of the tourney and went ahead 2-0 with some beautiful goals. Farmington was up to the task though and quickly came back with a goal on a controversial penalty kick(in head and assistant coaches mind’s at least). Farmington added another goal on a beautiful corner kick to even the score. The Rovers kept up the pressure and although were denied they left it all on the field as the coaches had asked for a 2-2 tie. After a night of video games, bumper cars, hallway tag, hallway football and great times with the other Garden City Teams at the DoubleTree the boys got up bright and early to take on the Suffield team and with the field covered in frost and temperatures in the mid 40’s(ball as hard as a rock) the boys finished as they started with a 3-1 complete team game win. The coaches would like to thank the parents(especially those who drove back to GC for Thunder and returned for the rest of the tournament) for all their help with activities the boys truly enjoyed. Well done boys and way to represent Garden City on the field and off. Nice job by Luke Connolly, Justin Coppola, Andrew Desantis, Matt Granville, Michael Handal, Will Honan, Liam Muldoon, John Murphy, John Skahill, Owen Wieland, Tyler Wuchte and Coach Janet (so much better then Steve) Wieland.

Coppola shot GOOOOAAAAALLLLLL... Desantis goal with a Handal & Muldoon assist... Skahill giving it everything for the gooaaallll...
Rovers come out and play... Pregame Routine...
Connolly in space