At the L.I.J.S.L. Spring Convention in early March, the Manhasset Bullets 16-year-old girls' soccer team learned what challenges the spring 2001 season would bring. The league placed the team in Division One to compete against the best 16-year-old girls' teams on Long Island. The team was awarded the Sportsmanship Award for the fall 2000 season, in which they also won the Division Two championship and were given a bye in the first round of the State Cup, due to their divisional ranking. The players knew this would be their toughest season to date...so how are they doing? Through the early season's wet, cold weather, the team won its opener against New Hyde Park 2-1 and lost a squeaker to Rockville Centre by the same score.

In the State Cup this past Saturday, the Bullet teammates battled through 80 minutes of regulation and an additional 30 minutes of double overtime to qualify for the round of 16 by beating the strong, physical West Hempstead Thunder team 4-3 in a fiercely contested competition.

After taking an early lead 1-0 as left striker Nicole Abbondandolo hit the left post, the Bullets defense of Amy Torpe, Venice Bruno, Sabrina Fitzig, Lauren Taylor and Lexi Maruca, in front of keeper Kendra Bernard, shut down the West Hempstead Thunder attack with smart step-up play and cover support defense. Just before the half, the Thunder converted a direct kick from 20 yards out to end the half 1-1.

Early second half action saw West Hempstead take a 2-1 lead. This was matched by Genelle Taney finding the net by throwing her body into a crossing pass by right wing Brittany Garel. In the 72nd minute, center striker Katie Donoghue received a smart pass from Cindy Laplaige and then the Bullet center striker beat the inside stopper, cut to the left, turned and fired a shot to the low far corner for a 3-2 lead. Throughout the game, Bullets midfielders Ashley Devins, Brittany Garel, Farah Visslailli and Cassie Pond were stretched to the limit with full field transition and physical play. In the 78th minute of regulation time, West Hempstead's left striker found a seam in the Bullets defense and drilled a shot inside the close post for a 3-3 tie at the end of regulation time.

State Cup rules require two 15-minute overtime periods with no sudden death. The Bullets players looked at each other before overtime and knew everyone was stretched, but it they pushed themselves and played as a team, they could prevail. As the rain started to fall in the first overtime period, with bodies flying and jarring tackles, the Bullets defense held and midfield played ballside, while the strikers tried to penetrate West Hempstead's physical, doubling defense. With one minute remaining in the first overtime period, Katie Donoghue received a laser pass from Keegan Forte, turned, split two defenders, and saw nothing but daylight 45 yards to the net. The foot race was on with the West Hempstead sweeper shouldering the Bullet player, trying to win possession and stop the breakaway. With arms outstretched, bodies fully extended, exhaustion and intensity running through the competing players and both sidelines screaming, the Bullets striker sent a missile from the top of the 18-yard box, that found the upper right corner of the net as the West Hempstead keeper dove and came up empty.

As the shot was fired, the Thunder defender, in a last desperate attempt, took out the legs of the attacking Bullet center striker and both players went down in a tangle of bodies. The ensuing minutes found a yellow card to the defensive sweeper and a red card to the West Hempstead coach, while Bullets players and fans celebrated. In the last 15-minute overtime period, mental toughness and great individual effort from every Bullet player preserved the 4-3 win at the end of 110 minutes of play. Although the season is still young, games such as this define a team at this high level of youth soccer competition. Congratulations, girls!

Looking ahead, the team has qualified for the USA Cup in Minnesota this summer and has been accepted to the Virginian Cup over Memorial Day weekend to compete against topflight Division One teams from states across the country. For players trying to improve their game and realize a national dream, competing and traveling on a regional and national level is costly. In order to raise necessary funds to defray expenses, the Manhasset Bullets have teamed up with ESPN The Magazine for a fund-raising program. Manhasset Bullets and coaches are selling subscriptions to ESPN The Magazine to help raise much-needed funds. Headed by Coach Michael Donoghue, the Bullets are selling two-year subscriptions (52 issues) for $40. The Bullets team of young female athletes represent Manhasset as they compete nationally this summer and are hopeful that the parents of other young athletes who are competing now, and all athletes who ever wanted to play at a national level of competition, will help the team in its quest for excellence by subscribing to the magazine. The team and its players appreciate your support of their fund-raising program. Please see a player or a local merchant for a subscription form.