The Garden City Strikers (U10) have been busy over the past two weeks picking up six points in the standings of Division II play with wins over the Hicksville Tornados May 8 and the Garden City Freedom May 15. On May 8 the Strikers came from behind to beat a determined Hicksville Tornados team 3-2.

Although the Tornados played an inspired game throughout, scoring first and even getting an insurance to lead 2-0, the Strikers rallied in the last seven minutes of the game putting three unanswered goals in the net stunning their opponents.

The rally was sparked by the relentless determination of halfbacks Jillian Yoo, Megan Martinelli, Kathryn Montgomery and Katie Trimmer, who stepped up their game and kept the ball in the Tornados end, giving Strikers forwards Jenna Fuchs, Colleen Metzler and Taylor Hennig many opportunities to score.

However, with only seven minutes left in the game and the score still 2-0 the coaches made the decision to move their stopper, Marissa Cameron, up to add to the offensive onslaught. Maggie Kiley, Darcy McGuire, Elizabeth Malhame and goalie Kathleen Galgano on the defense met every challenge from the Tornados and prevented any further serious scoring threats from the opponents consistently moving the ball away from their goal and up field.

With the added offense the Tornados were feeling the pressure and fouled a Striker outside of their box giving the Strikers a direct kick. Although Marisa Cameron's direct kick was saved, the ball rebounded back out to her where she wasted no time in one timing it into the net. With less than five minutes left and the score at 2-1, it looked like the Strikers would need a miracle to even tie the game.

Moments later Kathryn Montgomery made a beautiful pass to a well positioned Marisa Cameron who then calmly dribbled past two Hicksville defenders to thump a shot in the net for her second goal of the game evening the score at two all.

With the momentum now in their favor but the clock still ticking, Strikers Kathryn Montgomery, Katie Trimmer, Jillian Yoo and Megan Martinelli kept the pressure on in the midfield and the whole team never gave up on the win.

Their effort paid off when a petite but feisty Megan Martinelli fought hard for a ball on the wing and sent it flying into the center of the box to a well positioned and waiting Katie Trimmer. Using her left foot, Katie calmly put away the winner, stealing the game from a shell-shocked Tornados team.

On Saturday, May 15 the Strikers came up against yet another formidable Division II opponent in the talented Garden City Freedom. It was a tight game from the start with both teams playing their hearts out in front of a packed cheering section.

The Strikers were able to get one by the Freedom's well-respected goalie, Tracy Randano, when Striker Megan Martinelli was fouled just outside of the Freedom's goal box early in the first half.

Maggie Kiley was brought up from the defensive end to take the shot and sent a beautiful direct kick into the net to put the Strikers up by 1.

That was all that was needed for the Strikers' win, but the game was a nail biter throughout with the Freedom pressuring to tie the game.

Defenders Darcy McGuire and Elizabeth Mahlame held their positions and prevented the Freedom from getting off very many clear shots. However, those that did get by kept the crowd spellbound but Kathleen Galgano and Kathryn Montgomery were flawless in goal and preserved the win for the Strikers.

Congratulations to both the Freedom and the Strikers on an excellent game, which was hard-fought on both sides.

In a show of good sportsmanship and Centennial pride, the teams and their families had a lovely picnic under the shade at St. Paul's after the game where a good time was had by the players, their parents, families and friends! A special thanks to Freedom's Coach Anne Marie Stutzman and all the parents who helped make the day so memorable.