Girls Soccer Defeats Rival South Side

Coach Mike Heedles had been looking for the right combination to get into the scoring attack and looks to have found his answer with a player that was always going to be a key contributor on the season, Isabel Klatt. Playing in the midfield the first half of the season, Klatt was looking to distribute the ball from the wing and play solid two way soccer. But for the last three games Heedles has implored his midfielders to get involved in the offense and not be afraid to shoot the ball. And that’s paid off for Garden City as they have scored eight goals in three games - three from Klatt to go along with 2 assists.

Against rival South Side the first half was all Garden City as they were able to capitalize on two set pieces. First it was Kerry Defliese putting the ball in the net off of a corner kick from Klatt less than six minutes into the match. Minutes later the Lady Trojans lined up for a free kick that Emma Wieland chipped into the box and Deanna Weisenburger was able to push through for the two goal lead.

The second half was more balanced with South Side getting several good looks at the goal and finally breaking through on a long shot that sneaked under the bar and just over the finger tips of keeper Caroline Peppard. Less than four minutes later the Cyclones struck again with the long ball. This time Peppard was able to push the ball up but it caught the cross bar and rebounded to the foot of a waiting South Side forward for the 2-2 tie.

Rather than hanging their heads, Garden City got back in the game with strong play in the midfield from Defliese and Katherine Galzerano to apply pressure on South Side that produced the chances GC needed. Pushing down the right sideline with Klatt taking on the Cyclone defenders paid off for Garden City as they struck twice in 90 seconds. First it was Kelly George striking a perfect one timer into the net on a ball from Klatt who had tracked down a ball into the corner, cut back against the defender and lofted a perfect cross into the box. To finish off the scoring it was Klatt hitting a perfect chip over the keepers head and into the goal from the right sideline for the final score.

The remaining 20 minutes were played between the 18’s as Garden City’s aggressive defense led by Megan Seel, flanked by Kelly Donovan and Kate Farrell, didn’t allow South Side another good look at the goal.

With the offense producing and the defense applying high pressure on the ball, Garden City appears to be gelling at the right time of the season. Next up is an away game against Island Trees on Thursday and a critical match on 10/14 at first place Wantagh.