The Garden City Strikers (U10) looked to improve their record this past weekend with a third straight victory in Division II play but were denied by the Liberty of Rockville Centre (RVC) in a heartbreaking 2-1 loss.

Although they were against the wind, the Strikers worked tirelessly in the first half and maintained control of the ball throughout. Their offense seemed to be clicking as Colleen Metzler and Jenna Fuchs worked well together, pushing the ball forward. Taylor Hennig created much confusion in the RVC end going in on some exciting breakaways only to be denied by the Liberty keeper.

However, the Strikers finally broke the ice with a great goal by Megan Martinelli off of a rebounded shot by Jenna Fuchs. Jenna had taken a beautiful shot from 10 yards out which the RVC goalie did well to stop. Megan, anticipating the rebound, did not stop and vollyed a rocket into the net for a 1-0 lead.

Garden City continued to keep the pressure up throughout the first and second halves with a top-notch midfield presence. Stellar performances by Kathryn Montgomery, Maggie Kiley, Marisa Cameron, Jillian Yoo, Katie Trimmer and Kathleen Galgano enabled the Strikers to dominate play in the midfield. RVC could not sustain any pressure in the Strikers end throughout the first half.

When the Liberty did get a shot off during the first half, goalie Kathleen Galgano in net for the first half was on top of them all maintaining the Striker's lead.

Although Garden City again controlled play throughout the second half, RVC created a few chances with runs on the outside uncharacteristically breaking through the Strikers' tough defensive line of Darcy McGuire and Elizabeth Malhame who worked hard throughout the game minimizing the Liberty's offensive chances.

However, about midway through the second half RVC scored two goals and took the lead, 2-1.

Even in the grueling heat, the Strikers never gave up and worked hard to the end running their hearts out trying to tie the score. Katie Trimmer had the crowd on the edge of their seats with a great shot from the top of the box with just moments left in the game, but the Liberty goalie was able to get her hand on it for the save.

Although their persistence produced a string of chances for the offense in the waning minutes of the game, the Strikers were unable to put one in the net and ended up on the short end of the score when time ran out.

The Strikers will hit the field again against last season's rival, the New Hyde Park Kool Kats, on June 5 at St. Pauls.