What a game! The finals of the Long Island Challenge Cup took place on Sunday June 15, Father's Day. It was quite the day for fathers, mothers and coaches of the Manhasset Lady Jaguars as they watched their girls defeat the Plainedge Extreme in overtime penalty kicks. The game started off quickly with a breakaway by Juliana Gallo. Jules tore down the sideline, cut into the center and scored the first goal of the game. Plainedge, aggressive and determined created an opportunity and nailed a high shot into the goal, from outside the box, to tie the game at 1-1. Determined to win, Extreme pressured the Lady Jaguars defense, but sweeper Christina Casa Nova directed defenders Anna Christine de Venoge, Rebecca Wolfe, Alicia DeMarinis, Caterina Anastasio, and Tally Smith to push up and so they made it virtually impossible for Plainedge to score. The Lady Jaguars midfield, anchored by Victoria Fink played a tight game and pressured the Extreme winning almost every loose ball. Unfortunately despite the many scoring opportunities created by midfielders Katie Wang, Hilary Quinn, Cristie Leondis, Corrie Riggins and the actual shots on goal taken by forwards Eliza Cougentakis, Angelika Iordanou, Christine Samela, and Juliana Gallo the score remained 1-1. The Waldbaum's ten minute overtime period didn't produce a sudden death victory for either team, so the Lady Jaguars found themselves in an incredibly suspenseful game situation. Five penalty shots, the first, a nice shot, taken by Angelika Iordanou was saved by the Plainedge goalie, who showed her skill by diving for the ball. Christine Maimone, the Lady Jaguar's goalie jumped and punched their first shot out, also making a great save. The second shot Victoria Fink packed it right into the corner and the Jaguars were up by one. The Extreme hit a nice high goal and scored on their second shot as well. The score remained until Plainedge scored on their fourth shot and the Jaguars had to score or the win went to Plainedge. Christine Samela confidently shot low and to the corner for the tie at 2-2. Both teams missed the sixth shot. The tension on the sidelines grew with each passing second. Eliza Cougentakis took the seventh shot and scored, the Lady Jaguars had the lead. Watching on the sidelines the nail-biting crowd cried tears of joy when Plaidnedge took their seventh penalty kick and Christine Maimone, the star of the day, punched the ball out of goal making the winning save to win the Waldbaum's Cup.

Besides winning the Long Island Challenge Cup, The Lady Jaguars had a winning season and placed second in their division this spring. They will go on to play in a higher division next fall. Congratulations and Good Luck Manhasset Lady Jaguars.