The Strikers traveled, on Columbus Day weekend to Windsor, Connecticut to participate in the 19th Annual Paul R. Cody Memorial Soccer Tournament. The large tournament had 21 teams representing Garden City participating in this big event in various divisions.

Most of the Strikers arrived late Friday night. The Strikers were one of the first teams to start the tournament and most had a wake up call at 6 a.m. Saturday morning. Game time was 8 a.m.

The Strikers took the field hot off the heels on some excellent practice and scrimmage. Coach Bill Metzler and assistant coaches Chris Fuchs, Tom Trimmer and Jim McGuire led the Garden City Strikers U-11 Girls White division team against a tough bracket. Teams from South Windsor, Enfield, West Hartford, Ridgefield and Simsbury provided stiff competition and exciting games.

In game one, the Strikers took on the South Windsor Red Storm. About midway through the first half, Megan Martinelli received a pass from Maggie Comiskey and fired the ball in the goal for the Strikers' first score. At the end of the half the score was 1-0 in favor of the Strikers. In the next half of play, Jesse Stein dribbled down field with the ball and fired another score in the goal for the Strikers.

The Strikers defense played to perfection, utilizing drills done in practice and doing moves they were taught. The defense as well came on strong and shut down the Red Storm's offensive attack. The whistle blew and the Strikers won the first game by the score of 2-0. Could this be the start of something big for the Strikers?

In the second game of the day, at 10 a.m., the Strikers took on the Enfield Express. The Strikers, now pumped up from winning the first game, were ready to do battle with the Enfield Express. They came out in the first half pouring it on and dominating the control of the ball to their possession most of the time. Once again Jesse Stein took off with the ball and fired another goal for the first score of the half. Minutes later Jenna Fuchs put one in for another score.

At the end of the half, The Strikers were winning 2-0. In the second half, the Strikers came out on a blitz and Maggie Kiley took the ball from way down field and shot one in for the score. The Strikers led by 3-0. A few minutes later, Maggie Cominskey took a pass from Marisa Cameron and traveled a short way with the ball to put one in for another goal.

Again the Strikers could just do no wrong. With everything working for them, the passing, the defense and the offense shut down the Enfield Express with the Express only challenging to score a few times. Can the Strikers keep this momentum up?

That ended the first day of play. The Strikers had the whole afternoon off so they decided to release the stress by venturing out with some of the parents for a hayride at a pumpkin patch and pumpkin picking. They went out and all bought pumpkins they picked and went back and tried some apple cider and walked through a maze of corn stalks as well as some other amusements that were on the farm.

At night, there were about five or six teams staying at the Sheraton Hotel, where the Strikers were staying, and Bob Melhame organized a party for all the teams to attend and have dinner and dance to there favorite songs a DJ provided. A big thank you goes out to Bob for organizing the get-together.

Sunday started the next two games and the Strikers started at 2 p.m. In the first game, the Strikers took on Simsbury Streak. Once again the Strikers were ready and came out with a ball of fire. They shut the defense down and the Simsbury Streak had no chance to even attempt a score. What a job by the defense, led by Elizabeth Malhame, Maggie Kiley, Darcy McGuire and Marisa Cameron. This is the group known as the "Brick Wall Defense." They run hard, fast and read the plays well. As for the midfielders, they were all over the field looking for the forward to give the ball to. They too even got to score a goal. About midway through the first half, Kathleen Galgano took the ball away from a Simsbury Streak player and dribbled halfway down field and shot into the goal for a score. What a play it was.

In the second half, things started to get tough and the Simsbury Streak was knocking on the door. Several attempts at goal were made but Katie Trimmer was right there to make sure they didn't get through. When the half ended the Strikers came out winning their third straight game. All three games they won so far were a shut out. The Strikers had an amazing set of statistics so far in the tournament.

In the fourth game, the Ridgefield Firecrackers B Team Strikers challenged the Strikers. From the sound of the whistle at the start of the game caution lights started to light across the Strikers minds as they were up against some heavy competition this time. The running game was on and the ball constantly was changing hands. Many times the field of play was only several feet from the goal. The match was very exciting and the passing was sensational on both teams.

As it would turn out, the Strikers luck was about to change - on what has to be one of the most abnormal plays you could see unfold before your eyes. The ball was passed by a Firecracker fielder in the goal area and a Striker was there and somehow the ball hit the Strikers foot and the ball flew into the goal to score for the Ridgefield Firecrackers.

Now, the Strikers had to turn on the heat. Forward Taylor Hennig was doing her best running like there was no tomorrow with the ball and took several shots on goal. The Firecrackers' goalie was good and was able to stop the ball from scoring. It didn't stop Taylor; she just kept pouring it on and was determined to make a score. Unfortunately, time ran out and the Firecrackers won the game by a score of 1-0.

The scoreboard at the end of the day indicated however that the Strikers were still in a two-way tie for first place. The hopes were still alive and the following day would decide the tournament winners by the final game played by all the teams.

As the evening came down upon everyone, all ventured off and found restaurants to have dinner and some going back to the hotel to watch the Jets win their fourth game in a row! It was a relatively quiet evening for all. Most turned in early to get some rest.

How did the Strikers finish the tournament? They had an 11 a.m. start with the West Hartfield Hurricanes. The Hurricanes were the other team in contention for first place. So, if the Strikers knocked out the Hurricanes, first place was theirs, lock stock and barrel. If the Hurricanes won, first place was theirs. Second place would then be up for grabs against the Strikers and Ridgefield Firecrackers. If the Strikers lost the last game and the Firecrackers won their game then the Firecrackers would take second place and the Strikers would take third place.

At the start of the game everyone knew what was at stake. The Strikers tried taking an early advantage and the midfielders Colleen Metzler and Jillian Yoo ran some nice plays down field on the sidelines and across the center. Jenna Fuchs and Catherine Montgomery were taking the ball away from the Firecrackers and tried to turn it downfield. They played hard and they played with lots of determination and only to find that the Firecracker goalie was going to turn them away. The defense on the Firecrackers was well coordinated and kept applying pressure.

Toward the end of the first half, the Firecrackers shot a hard and high shot unable to be retrieve by goalie Maggie Comiskey. The Strikers now knew that the heat was as high as it got and a score by the Strikers was a must! Once again, Taylor Hennig and Kathleen Galgano were running the hard plays, tearing up the field. Their efforts were proving to be useless as the defensive team of the Firecrackers was applying the brakes to the Strikers. The half ends by the score of 1-0 in favor of the Firecrackers.

In the second half all were on the attack. The Strikers tried with everything they had to drop one in but anxiety and the constant running was starting to go against them. The Firecrackers then scored another goal and Maggie Comiskey made a fine play to block it but could not get a handle on it. The score, now 2-0, and time running out, the Strikers know it was almost over. With all the power that was left in them, they still were determined to try and get something going. As always the sound of the whistle told the final tale. So, the Strikers lost their second game and as a result placed them in third.

All in all, it was a fabulous weekend for the Strikers. It gave the girls another weekend to get to know each other even better than before. The Strikers returned home with a feeling of accomplishment, companionship and stronger respect for the game of soccer.