Change in soccer, like the seasons, is inevitable. However, over this past summer, the Breakers seem to have had more than their fair share. Here's a quick recap. Over the summer, the Breakers saw four original players leave the team, looking for greener pastures. With this shortfall, the coaching staff recruited seven replacement players. This was done not only to replace the girls who left, but to meet the need for an expanded roster. The need for an expanded rooster coincides with the move to playing on a full size field. And lastly, based on a decision by the parents and coaches, the team moved to the Garden City Park Generals Soccer Club.

With all this on their plate, the Garden City Park Breakers opened their season at Tully Field versus the Port Washington Mustangs. The Breakers got out of the gate quickly taking a 1-0 lead on a Kalie Medlock goal. However, Port Washington quickly answered back with a goal of their own to tie the score at 1-1 as the half came to a close. The second half opened with Port Washington taking charge of their offensive zone. With their offense well in command, Port Washington kept the Breakers on their defensive heals and tallied three times in the second half to win going away 4-1.

With the disappointment of the Port Washington game still in their minds, the Breakers next faced the Oyster Bay Blizzard. In a close defensive game, the Blizzard took a 1-0 lead on a goal just before the half. The Breakers came out in the second half ready to play the Blizzard close. Stepping quickly to the ball, the Breakers played the Blizzard evenly, looking for that one break to tie the game. With time running out, (less than one minute left on the clock), and the Breakers swarming in front of the net, Maryann Sanderleaf got that break by threading the needle with a shot off her dribble which cleared just inside the post to tie the game at 1-1.

Having earned a tie, and a bit of momentum from the Oyster Bay game, the Breakers set their sights on the Baldwin Eagles. Playing their first game at Harbor Links Field, the Breakers looked to open the game with an aggressive tone. However, the Breakers came out flat in the first half allowing Baldwin to dominate the offensive zone as Baldwin tallied two goals to take a 2-0 lead at the half. While in the second half the Breakers picked up their intensity on both sides of the ball, their offense continued to struggle. Baldwin tallied just one second half goal to complement their defensive domination with a 3-0 win.

Looking to get back on a winning track, and jump-start their offense, the Breakers faced the Massapequa All Stars on the road. The Breakers, with a stiff wind in their faces looked to play a tight defensive game hoping to hold the All Stars in check until the second half. Playing their best defensive game of the season, the Breakers executed their game plan and held Massapequa scoreless at the half. Opening the second half with the wind at their backs, the Breakers looked to take advantage of the wind at their backs and score early. However, it was Massapequa that took the advantage of a Breaker defensive lapse to score the game's first goal. Massapequa wasted no time in drawing away as they tallied a second goal less than two minutes later and never looked back as they beat the Breakers 2-0.

Without a doubt, all these changes will require adjustment in varying degrees for every girl on the team. Clearly, this Breaker team suffered a setback with the loss of four experienced players. You just cannot replace their talent, experience and the familiarity built between and amongst these girls and their teammates. On the positive side, all the new girls, especially three players, Stephanie Falzarano, Samantha Cala, and Jessica Breslin, have shown the ability to quickly acclimate to their new teammates. While this adjustment process will no doubt take the rest of the season, the Breaker Braintrust will need to stay focused and keep this team moving in the right direction in order to bring them back to the competitive force they once were.

This years' Garden City Park Breakers team consists of: Jessica Breslin, Stephanie Cutrona, Samantha Cala, Stephanie Falzarano, Emily Glenn, Mary Henry, Catherine Hoban, Emily Kain, Dana Klein, Kalie Medlock, Kerri Medlock, Marissa Peralta, Muireann "Mo" Phelan, Ryann Pitcavage, Maryann Sanderleaf, Stephanie Sarno, Carly Sitzer, and Leigh Marie Weber.

(Note: This team was affiliated with Mineola but has since moved to

the GCP Generals Soccer Club.)