Tough 3-0 Loss for GC Girls Soccer

Coach Mike Heedles knew his girls were going to be in a battle against conference rival Division High School but he felt the girls were coming off their best week of soccer in this young season.

Having played two tough opponents in Sacred Heart and Plainedge, and defeating both, Coach Heedles had a feeling that his team was ready to get on a roll in the conference.

Division had other thoughts as they pushed their conference record to a perfect 5-0-0 with a 3-0 victory on their home turf. Keeper Gina Fader made the saves when she needed to in keeping Garden City off the score sheet for her fourth shutout of the season.

On the Garden City side of the ball, first half keeper Kelsey Tierney was kept on her toes with numerous shots being fired from all angles and distances. Tierney came up with eight saves in the half while surrendering two tough goals. The first was a mix up on defense that Division striker Krista Fitzpatrick was able to take advantage of and put the ball in the net at about 10 minutes into the game.

Midway through the half there was a scary moment with a collision in front of the Garden City goal that Jill Yoo took the brunt of, as she came crashing to the turf. Midfielder Yoo was helped from the field by the trainers and thoroughly checked out on the sideline before being able to rejoin her teammates.    

Down 1-0 and trying to push the ball up field, the Garden City defense got caught with a quick counter attack and a chip into the box where striker Joanna Capetelli’s header hit nothing but net for a 2-0 lead.   

The second half was a different story in time of possession as Garden City started to mount an attack through the midfield. With pressure on the ball from midfielders Liz Stutzmann, Haley O’Hanlon and Catherine Malhame, the Trojans were pushing forward. But each time there was a run by Addie Zebrowski, Kayla Murphy or Yoo, the Division defenders stood firm and stopped the attack.

Christina Mangels and Caroline Beaty, with second half keeper Tracy Rendano, anchored the defensive end of the field, constantly driving the ball back up field.

The teams take the remainder of the week off in observance of the Jewish holiday and return to action on Monday, Oct. 3. Garden City travels to rival New Hyde Park, while Division goes to Skelos Park to play South Side in a battle of unbeatens.