On Saturday, Oct. 27, when all of the LI soccer games were washed up due to severe rain the Tornadoes traveled to Burns Park in Massapequa for a 7:20 p.m. game against the Plainedge Spirit for their sixth game of the fall season.

The field condition was good. The Town of Oyster Bay has installed beautiful new fields with lights. However, the weather conditions were cold and the wind was so rough that after 10 minutes of play, the wind blew off the ground the Tornadoes bench and injured one of our players Marissa Matarese, causing her to be brought to the emergency room of Syosset Hospital.

The Tornadoes had the harsh wind on their back during first half when the incident happened. Unknown to the coaches, the referee did not stop the clock during the incident and blowing the whistle to end the first half after playing only 15 of the normal 30 minutes of regular play. This put the Tornadoes in a bad situation, having to play with one less player and fighting the second half against the harsh wind.

At halftime Coach Albanese reminded the Tornadoes on how to play against the wind and that they must win for Marissa and for them to continue the undefeated season. Erika Eisenberg was having her usual game on left fullback shutting down the left side, Julia Cranz had the toughest task on defense defending the Spirit's toughest player on the right side. Kristen Maggi and Melissa LaCorte had the center defense in control, while Gabrielle Albanese demonstrated her powerful shot clearing the defense and giving opportunities for breakaways for the forwards. Mollie Sullivan, Allison Bliven, Katrina Capiello, Alessandra Puccio were superb in midfield. Erin Allen being in the right spot always reading the game very well created several attacks for the Tornadoes.

Half way through the second half, the Spirit goalie punted the ball stepping outside the goalie box giving the Tornadoes an opportunity at the goal. Gabrielle Albanese took the shot going for the top right side of the goal, but the wind was a factor, bending the ball in the goalie's hands. Melissa Albanese had a blast from the right side and Mollie Sullivan hit to the left side of Plainedge's goal. But the Tornadoes were not about to settle for a tie. When Kristie Kelly took a shot on the ground going for the right side of the goal, the goalie attempted the save, but Emily Siringo was there for the rebound for a Tornadoe goal. Madison Fressle recorded another shut out game on goal. The Tornadoes win 1 to 0 to take on first place in their division and dedicated the game to Marissa Matarese.

Eclipse played super team defense on Oct. 21 to beat New Hyde Park Stormcats 4-0. Goals were recorded by Courtney Cartwright and Amanda Kalan with key passes coming from Marissa Venuto. The defense was spearheaded by Brianna Cornacchio, Jennifer Cruz, Daniela Garcia and Noelle Daversa. Sarah Lewis was solid in the net and the middle of the field was well controlled by Cindy Maldonado. On the 28th the Eclipse weathered through a 40-minute downpour at halftime to complete this game against Cold Spring Harbor Rockets. We lost a well-fought battle 4-3. Goals were recorded by Courtney Cartwright and Amanda Kalan with assists coming from Claudia Ratner. Solid play at midfield was displayed by Riane Woodman. The girls played tough in the difficult weather which seems to be a pattern with the Eclipse. The Raptors returned to their winning ways by beating the East Meadow Panthers 6-2 on a blustery day. The Raptors were coming off of a 0-0 tie against the Commack Blizzard which was highlighted by goalie Peri Ipiotis making one phenomenal save after another. The defense against the Blizzard, anchored by Rich Podpirka, Thomas Sweeney, Niklas Helmick, Joey Giunta, Jesse Marksohn and Yorman Velasquez, was flawless in recording their second shut out of the season. It was all offense against East Meadow as the two forwards Willie Treiber and Jonathan Ramirez shredded the defense for 5 goals. Thomas Awad chipped in with a goal on a rebound after he struck the post. The forwards were supported by the relentless midfield play of Alex Petrillo, Cole Spivak, Thomas Regan, and Alex Carchietta. The midfield controlled all of the 50/50 balls and pushed the ball up field to allow the forwards to make plays. As usual it was a total team effort. Next week the Raptors take on the undefeated Mineola Storm. Oct. 29, West Babylon - The Oyster Bay Titans arrived on one of the windiest days of the year in West Babylon to take the first-place Cyclones. The Titans knew the importance of this match and they were prepared. The wind was a factor the Titans could not ignore and it became a distraction. After losing the toss they would have the wind in their faces for the first half. While the boys played well at 20 minutes into the first half the Cyclones launched a shot from the 20 that swirled its way into the net. The coaches hoped to get to the half just down 1- 0 and they did. For the second half the Titans would have the wind and they had chances but could not convert. The last three minutes was a flurry at the West Babylon goal and the coaches stood in amazement that none off their players could put it in. Their shots went wide over the net. Over-taking West Babylon for first place will take a miracle. The Titans must win next week in Newfield and the following week (their last home match) against Farmingdale for a chance to move up a division. The season ends on the road in Bohemia.

On Saturday, Nov. 4, the Tornadoes return to Burns Park, this time to face the Massapequa Mischiefs. The game conditions were much different than the prior week, but the result was the same, with the Tornadoes coming home with another win beating the Mischief by the score of 2 to 1. This brings the Tornadoes record to 6 wins and one tie.

The Tornadoes took the lead early in the first half with an Alessandra Puccio goal taken from within the Mischief's penalty box. Massapequa responded with a goal of their own just before the half.

The Tornadoes scored a nice goal from outside the box only to be called offside by the referee, a very questionable call. The final goal was scored by Emily Siringo on a rebound shot from Erin Allen.

The Tornadoes will face Levittown Killer B's at Vernon School on Saturday at noon.

Nov. 5, Selden - After losing one - nil to first place West Babylon and the wind the Titans again went east to play the Newfield Nitro. Games versus Newfield have always been close and the spectators are far from hospitable. Our Oyster Bay Titans would have their hands full this day. The Titans would strike first when Alex Selesky sent a lose ball into the net from the right side at the four minute mark. The Titans were on attack. Six minutes later it was Colin McKay's turn as he carried a pass from Justin Zeth and took the ball wide right and scored. Newfield wasn't ready to give up and with six minutes left in the half Nitro forward Scott Carey streaked down the side and the Titans defense was crossed up and Carey and the ball got through and he sent a bullet into the Titan net. When the half arrived the Titans were again reminded of what trainer Dave Bond has told them, "Don't worry about the referee, if he makes a call you don't agree with drop it and play on." This has been a problem for the Titans. Granted the officiating has been worst than any year, today would be no exception.

The second half got more physical and Newfield was able to tie the score 2-2. The momentum was shifting and Newfield wasn't finished. At the 21st minute the Nitro sent a ball from midfield as the netkeeper Gavin Esernio raced out to the top of the box to grab it, as he cradled the ball the Newfield forward kicked Esernio and from the impact released the ball which was the kicked in the net. Esernio was down for some time. The protest of the Oyster Bay coaching staff fell on deaf ears. The referee had been officiating the match from the half all game and was out of position for dozen of calls for both teams. Esernio was determined to play on as the Newfield fans cheered. After the Nitro had the lead a rash of injuries ensued. Six players went down all but one stayed in to play and as the coaches asked about injury time, their queries were unanswered.

The midfield was fighting hard-Jose Lopez, Thomas Treiber, Colin McKay, Andy Rubio and Daneel Reif. It was Reif who chipped a ball into the box as he was hit hard by a Nitro player who found out what Daneel is made of, solid stock and the player folded on the ground. As the ball moved on Jonathan Leonardo got it and his attempt was blocked, but Christian Petersen got it and tied the game at 3 a piece with who knows how much time was left. The Newfield fans shouted threats at the Oyster Bay players and the official did nothing, play continued.

Oyster Bay had a chance to pull ahead but their communication with each other was clearly strained. As the coaching staff wondered when time would expire Newfield broke in and raced with Titan defender Ivan Bonilla at his side, Bonilla shouldered him off the ball and the attacker for the Nitro went down. The referee blew the whistle for a foul but what happened next shocked many. The ref called for a penalty kick, the foul was clearly outside the penalty area and the ref was clearly not in a position to make that call. Adding to the drama the Newfield coach stated to the Titans coaches, "We got a gift here, he wasn't in the box."

The shot was deposited in the net past as banged up, bruised and courageous keeper, Gavin Esernio. Less than a minute later the ref whistled the match over. As the Titans packed up for the long ride home one could only hope they learned that you cannot let the ref get you off your game. It was known but unspoken that when the Titans tied Merrick, Thomas Treiber was clearly knocked to the ground in the box and the PK was not called as the ref said there's only seconds left.

That tie should have been a chance for victory and the Newfield loss should have ended in a tie. A promising season has the Titans chances of moving up all but lost and not entirely in their hands. Please come cheer on the Titans and share our pride Sunday, Nov. 12, 1:30 p.m. at Portledge School for their last home match for the fall season.