The Garden City U-12 girl’s Shock finished their Fall season this past Saturday with a come from behind, last second tie versus the Levittown Breakers. This was another hard fought game between the number one offensive team (Levittown) and the number one defensive team (Garden City). Levittown struck first, midway through the first half on a point blank shot that eluded the sure hands of keeper Jane Stone. The Levittown shooter became one of only three players all season who could say they scored on Stone and the Shock.

The Breakers realized quickly how fortunate they were to score on the Shock. The Shock defense locked things down for the balance of the first half and kept players at bay and shots outside that were easily turned aside by Stone. The Shock defense is anchored by Kerry McCarraher and Alana McAndrews down the middle and by Maddie McCabe, Lily Shannon and Annie Randazzo on the wings. This defensive gauntlet has bent but not broken over 17 games (including tournaments) all season long and they were not about to end their season any other way. Multiple Breaker rushes were turned aside, giving the Shock offense the openings they needed to create scoring opportunities of their own.

The opportunity they were looking for came late in the first half when Emma Costello stepped up on the 18 and blasted a rocket that looked like it would tie the game. The ball struck the crossbar and sailed out of bounds, but the Shock offense drew inspiration from the near miss and poured on heavy pressure late in the first half. Juliana Kubler zipped a left footed shot just wide, Caroline Kenny had two great rushes and shots turned aside and Caitlin Cunningham had chances that the Breaker’s keeper turned aside.

At the half, the Shock huddled up and talked about their season, how hard they had worked, how much time they had spent and how they didn’t want to see the season end with a loss on their home field. As the girls took the field for the second half, there was a spring in their step and determination in their eyes as they sought to regain control of their last game.

They didn’t disappoint. Speedsters Tierney Minion and Brooke McDaid created two great open field rushes. Minion’s ended with a close offside call and McDaid’s with a save by the strong Breaker’s keeper. Olivia Giarraputo and Alana MacLeod controlled the middle and created some great rushes of their own while also controlling their opponents on the defensive side of the ball. Kathleen Vierengel continued her strong offensive and defensive played with some major battles along the sidelines in front of the Garden City faithful. Katie Gillan took the ball deep in the corner, midway through the second half and took 3 Breaker defenders with her. As usual, she came out of the corner with the ball and crossed it into the box, but again it was turned aside by the Breaker keeper.

Things looked bleak for the Shock as the last seconds of the game and their season ticked off the clock. Everyone in attendance knew this team would play their hearts out right to the final whistle, but it looked like things just weren’t to be for the Shock on this Fall day. One final clear by the Breakers would end this contest and the Shock’s season. Julia Forbes, however, was not going to let that happen. She took possession of the attempted clearing pass, dribbled past the Breaker defenders and crossed a beautiful ball right into the box. Forward Annie Walsh was right there to received the pass and bury it to the back of the Breaker net to tie the contest 1-1 in the final seconds. A hard fought and well deserved tie ended a great season by the Shock.

How great was their season? Consider these stats: over 17 games, the Shock lost 2 contests! Over 17 games (tournaments included), the Shock allowed just 6 goals! In their 9 division games, the Shock allowed just 3 goals (#1 in their division). The Shock was the only team to beat the division Champion Bethpage Supersonics.

Congrats to each and every Shock player!! They worked hard each and every week. They carried themselves with poise and with great sportsmanship and battled hard every minute of every game this season. While they finished in the middle of the pack of their division, they are truly champions in the hearts of their coaches and parents! Well done SHOCK!