Students at Charles Water Karate & Fitness recently enjoyed using their focus, concentration and balance with a new challenge. Beach Ball Day was an innovative idea for students to test the skills that they have been developing in their training. The curriculum did not change however part of the class utilized a beach ball, working on partner techniques. On the weekend of Aug. 25-26, the East Meadow Soccer Club held the 13th annual American Ref-Fuel/East Meadow Soccer Tournament. Over 5,000 youngsters and 380 teams from all over Long Island and New York City and Westchester, including Garden City's Blue Devils, participated in three-day tourney. Don't delay! All orders for the PTA/SEPTA sportswear sale are due Oct. 5. No exceptions. Order forms are available at each school and the items are on view at www.gardencity.k12.ny.us/sportswear. On Saturday, Sept. 29, the boys varsity soccer team played Wheatley. The boys played an aggressive game but weren't able to come out victorious. They lost 0-2. Rob Bryant played strong defense with his fast feet. As Bryant tried to control Wheatley's offense, Mark Wenzel tried to push the ball the other way. For the majority of the second half, GC kept the ball near the Wheatley goal. The boys kept the ball at the other end of the field but could never convert to any goals. The boys had many attempts on goal. For example, a corner kick by Janeczko skimmed the top of the goal post. Wheatley scored their second goal with less than 10 minutes left in the game. Goalie Chris Torino went to stop the ball but the Wheatley offense slipped the ball by him into the far end of the goal. The boys had a great season last year, with a final record of 12 wins, two losses, and four ties. Let's see if the boys can pick up their game as they play Cold Spring Harbor, home, Tuesday, at 4:15 p.m. Can they be L.I. Champions again? The girls proved themselves as they won against Great Neck North with a score of 2-0. Brittany Barnet had a great game, scoring the two goals for GC. Only 10 seconds into the game, Barnet scored the first goal. Both Amie Roe and Caitlin O'Brien, the goalies for the girls, didn't have to do much as the GC strong offense and defense kept the ball away. GC kept the Great Neck North defense busy as the goalie had to block eight shots. The proud coach, Diane Chapman, is eager to see what the younger girls will do. Can they keep up the legend of GC field hockey? Find out Wednesday as the girls play at Friends at 4:30 p.m. Go Red!

Last week, the girls played two strong games against Cold Spring Harbor and Plainedge. Garden City had a strong victory over Plainedge with a final score of 4-3. Goals were scored by Allie Holland, Kaitlin Kambrowski, Allie Lloyd and Maura Casey. Tara McKennett played an excellent game, saving 10 shots. The girls had many shots on goal, keeping Plainedge on their toes.

Garden City suffered a loss against Cold Spring Harbor with a final score of 2-4. Once again, Allie Holland scored for GC as well as Kerin Boghosian. Together, McKennett and Norniella had nine saves. With the history that the soccer team has, we are looking forward to yet another great season. Cheer on the girls as they play at Baldwin on Monday at 4:30 p.m.

On Monday, Sept. 24, the Garden City Volleyball team played Carey. Even without many seniors, including Laura Colan, Katie Kimball, Christine Klein, Liz Ladner, Mary Tighe and Diana Wierbicki, the girls still played a great game. They won all three games in a row making it a short and sweet victory. The score of the first game was 30-27, the second was 30-28, and the third 30-21. Key players for the team included juniors Jamie Lardner, Kristen Kraff and Katherine Pastrana. Jamie Lardner led the team with 17 assists and Kristen Kraff followed shortly with nine assists. Jamie also had five kills and six aces, Kristen Kraff had six kills and four aces and Katherine Pastrana had nine kills. With the great support of their captain, Abby Adelman, the girls seem to be on the right track for a great season. Even though Carey seemed to have an advantage over them due to their ability to block, Garden City proved them wrong by winning the games. The girls also showed great team spirit by wearing ribbons in their hair to symbolize unity and pride to be part of the team. The girls' next game is Friday at Clarke at 4:30 p.m., come show your team spirit by supporting them.

After winning their season opener over New Hyde Park in the closing moments, GC came out and dominated play against the Port Washington Vikings, winning 28-0. With 11 minutes and 23 seconds left in the second quarter, GC opened the scoring on a beautiful 23-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Conor O'Brien to wide receiver Chris Gumiela. The touchdown pass came after a 25-yard run by O'Brien. Late in the second quarter the GC defense set up the Trojans' second touchdown of the game when Greg Pando recovered a Port Washington fumble on the Vikings' 10-yard line. Three plays later GC pounded the ball across the goal line on a Dan Oppedisano one-yard run. Before Pando's fumble recovery some fine defensive plays by Trevor Wells and Dennis Hannan had backed up the Port Washington offense. So GC went into the locker room at the half with a 14-0 lead.

Early in the third quarter the GC defense once again came up with a big turnover as Ben Ginsberg recovered a Port fumble on the Vikings' 27-yard line. GC kept the ball on the ground and scored their third touchdown of the game on a pretty, 12 yard run by senior Dan Flannery, making the score GC 21 Port Washington 0. Dan Oppedisano capped off the scoring with 8:37 left in the fourth quarter to make the final score 28-0.

The story of the game was the great play of the GC offensive line led by seniors Mark Gallucci and John Watras and the stingy GC defense, which held Port Washington to 73 yards of total offense. The Trojans' defense was led by the fine linebacker play of Brendan Flanagan and Dan Oppedisano and the tough line play of Mike Sarcona, Greg Pando and Mark Gallucci. Come see the Trojan's next game Oct. 6 as they play Mepham at home at 2 p.m.