Standing, left to right, Bridget Shea, Julieanne Larsson, Lauren Gillespie, Elizabeth McKay, Eileen Farrell, Alyssa Yeboah-Kodie, Kneeling left to right, Dominique, Dragotto, Sarah Kaval, Hannah Ardito, Maura Mohan, Caitlin Etienne, Caroline Munn, Giovanna DeMoura, Front, Kaitlyn Larsson [not pictured, Meredith Aneser] The Girls U11 GC Shooting Stars Centennial Travel Soccer team traveled to Windsor Connecticut on Columbus Day weekend to participate in the Paul R. Cody Windsor Tournament together with their family, fans, friends and the GC Centennial Soccer League. The Stars played five games over 3 days and finished the Tournament undefeated, recording victories in all five games they participated in and earned First Place trophies in their bracket.

After completing Saturday’s games in fine fashion with two shutouts, the Stars knew their most challenging games were ahead. Finding time to pick pumpkins and enjoy hayrides basking in Saturday’s victories, the Stars then enjoyed a Centennials’ party at the Sheraton Hotel and danced the evening away to the tunes of a live DJ until it was time to retire to the Marriott and prepare for the games ahead.

Shooting Stars at the trophy tent in Windsor, Conn. Sunday brought bright skies and cool air, a perfect setting for the Shooting Stars to dominate the pitch. After decorating their hotel room doors and crafting team posters, they headed to the LP Wilson Fields for what would prove to be their most challenging game early Sunday afternoon. The game was a battle of will and nearing the end of the first half against a very skilled and quick Burlington Blizzard team the Stars persevered to score the only goal of the game. With determination, smart tactical soccer, strong defensive play and lights out goal tending the Stars shut down a frustrated and worn Blizzard attack.

Shooting Stars celebrating their finish back home at Coldstone Creamery In Sunday’s second game, the Stars were matched up against the Windsor Wild Cats who were a clear home town favorite. The Stars were unphased and despite a lightning quick attack by the Wildcats and dropping to 1-0 less than midway through the first half, the Stars quickly turned the game around scoring 3 unanswered goals. The Stars offensive attack could not be stopped scoring off of corner kicks, well calculated crosses and anchored by a defense skilled at open field tackles and clears to the outside. The game would end in a 3-2 victory for the Stars and gave the Stars a lock on First Place.

The Stars left the field at 6pm tired yet jubilant. They returned to their hotel with wide smiles and sparkling eyes and quickly prepared for a team party filled with music, laughter, blasting ipods, chocolate chunk cookies and swimming in the indoor pool.

Shooting Stars Pumpkin Picking at Brown’s farm, Windsor, Conn. Although win, lose or draw, the Stars were a lock for first place after having already beaten the second place Burlington Blizzard, it was lights out at 10pm as the team readied themselves for their final game at 8am Monday morning.

Columbus Day emerged with a clear, streaking sky, chilled air and two young Girls’ Soccer teams ready to battle, one team, GC Shooting Stars, battling for first place and a 5-0 record and the other, a home team, Windsor Wildcats, battling for revenge.

The Shooting Stars team of Meredith Aneser, Hannah Ardito, Giovanna DeMoura, Dominique Dragotto, Caitlin Etienne, Eileen Farrell, Lauren Gillespie, Sarah Kaval, Julieanne Larsson, Kaitlyn Larsson, Elizabeth McKay, Maura Mohan, Caroline Munn, Bridget Shea and Alyssa Yeboah-Kodie came to the field with determination and the desire to win, an incredible recipe for success when you add their skill, speed, soccer smarts and strength. The Stars were the victors in a 2-1 finish winning First Place with a 5-0 record.

The Shooting Stars are a team that plays with infinite determination and tremendous Sportsmanship. Their jerseys are decorated with Sportsmanship badges issued by the LIJSL which they earned in each of their first two seasons. The team left Windsor, Connecticut undefeated in two trips to the state.

They dedicated their Tournament play to a young 11 year old California girl battling cancer who they had viewed on a segment of Good Morning America. The morning they left for their tournament, the coach picked up pink and white tie dyed wrist bands which the girls proudly donned and wore to each game.

The Stars will take to the pitch home at St. Pauls on Saturday for regular league play against the Syosset Jazz. Thus far the Shooting Stars have two (2) 3-0 victories at home defeating the Mineola Mustangs and the Oceanside Rockets. The team is undefeated and looking to continue their winning ways.