No matter whether you've just come off a dream or a dreadful season, the start of a new season places every team at the same point in the standings..... tied for first. While wiping the proverbial slate clean is a good thing, every team is, in varying degrees, faced with the task of finding ways to improve their game in ways that will get them closer to that dream season. Unfortunately for the Breakers, the fall '03 season was not a dream season. Their record of one win, seven losses and one tie placed them dead last in their division. With nowhere else to go but up, the Breakers set their sights this spring season on improving their individual skill sets and developing a team cohesiveness that was clearly missing last season.

Opening their season with State and Waldbaum Cup games, interspersed between regular season games, the Breakers notched their first win of the Waldbaum Cup tournament in a close 1-0 win over the Albertson Alley Cats on a first half goal by Dana Klein. Continuing their State Cup successes from the Fall 2003 season the Breakers faced the Manorville Power. With both goals scored by Maryann Sanderleaf, the Breakers continued forward to the next State Cup round, with a 2-1 win. With a potential final round bid in State Cup competition looming on the horizon, the Breakers faced the West Islip Tigers. In a close defensive battle from the outset, West Islip scored on a late game clearing miscue between the Breakers goalie and the sweeper to end the Breakers' State Cup winning streak from last season and send them home with a tough 1-0 loss.

Opening their regular season against the very same Albertson team they faced in Waldbaum Cup competition, the Breakers dominated both halves of the game but came away empty-handed as they could not find the net as the game ended in a 0-0 tie. Looking to notch their first regular season win, the Breakers next faced the Jericho Cougars. With the Cougars playing a strong defensive game, the Breakers would see their offense stall, while the defense would allow two goals, in a 2-0 loss. Still seeking their first win, the Breakers next faced the Levittown Zap. In a close, intense game, Klein would score the game's only goal in a Breaker 1-0 win. Looking to build on that win, the Breakers faced the Plainview Fighting Tigers. With Plainview pressing in the offensive zone, and the Breakers defense having trouble clearing the ball, Plainview would score to take a 1-0 lead. Looking to get right back into the game, Callie Medlock scored an unassisted goal to tie the game 1-1 at the half. Opening the second half, Plainview would score off a deflection and add a second goal in the half to win going away 3-1. Looking to put the Plainview game behind them, the Breakers next faced the Bellmore Stingers. Getting out quickly, and with the wind at their backs, Klein scored the Breaker's first goal, and would go up by two, on a goal by Stephanie Falzarano. However, the Stingers would not give up. Opening with a goal only thirty seconds into the second half, followed by a second goal only a few minutes later, the Stingers would score a third unanswered goal to take the lead and the game 3-2. Having been "stung" by Bellmore, the Breakers were looking for a team on which to vent their frustration. They found that team in the Carle Place Frogs. With Sanderleaf and Falzarano each scoring two goals, and Klein adding a goal, the Breakers played their most complete game of the year in a 5-0 shut out. Clearly feeling better about themselves, the Breakers next faced the East Meadow Power. Clearly carrying over their confidence from the Carle Place game, Falzarano opened the scoring only thirty seconds into the game to give the Breakers a 1-0 lead. The Power never recovered from that goal as Mary Henry would score a second half goal to give the Breakers a comfortable cushion and a 2-0 win.

With their record at 3 wins, 3 losses and one tie, the Breakers clearly had an opportunity to rebound from their fall 2003 season and put themselves on a path to be a force in their division. However, their next opponent, the first place Oyster Bay Blizzard would have something to say about it. With the Blizzard opening the scoring early, the Breaker's would answer that goal on a Sanderleaf shot over the head of the goalie to tie the game at 1-1 at the half. However, the Breakers second half game broke down completely as the Blizzard scored four unanswered goals on their way to a 5-1 win. With one last chance to finish the season at .500, the Breakers next faced the New Hyde Park Soccer Cats for their last game of the season. First half goals by Klein and Sanderleaf put the Breakers in the lead 2-1 at the half. However, opening the second half, the Soccer Cats scored early to tie the score at 2-2. Looking to keep the momentum from swinging to the Soccer Cats, Medlock scored the go ahead goal on a rebound to put the Breakers ahead 3-2. However, New Hyde Park would not be deterred as they set the Breaker defense on their heels to score a last minute goal and salvage a 3-3 tie.

While their season, based on wins and losses, can be considered a moderate success, the Breakers have much to look forward to based upon a number of positive reasons. First, improving their wins from one to three. Second, spreading and increasing the offense amongst four players versus just one or two with fifteen goals scored this season versus just eight last season. Third, defensively the Breakers reduced their goals allowed from 26 to 16. Fourth, their positioning in the games that they lost. While they clearly were out of the games against Oyster Bay, Jericho and Plainview, their games against Bellmore and New Hyde Park saw them leading up to the last moment of the game. Obviously, a stronger defense would have an impact on their outcomes and possibly increase those three wins to five. With summer tryouts, practices and trainer sessions now a part of the off season, these Breakers will see their sport become more of a year round event rather than a seasonal sport. While they still have a long way to go, this opportunity to "eat, drink and sleep" more soccer than in the past will provide them with the opportunity to elevate their game above their peers. And bottom line....that's what it's all about.

This year's Garden City Park Breakers team consists of: 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, and Carly Sitzer.