The Garden City field hockey team nearly completed a perfect season in 2010 but fell short of a New York State title with their lone loss of the season. On Wednesday afternoon, the Trojans began another quest for the title with a narrow 1-0 win against Massapequa at home.
Garden City midfielder Victoria Piscopo put in the only score of the game off a rebound with just over eight minutes remaining in the first half.
“We had a lot of opportunities in the first half, but just didn’t put them in. The defense played well today,” said Garden City head coach Diane Chapman. “It is good to get this pressure to see what you need to work on but we stepped up and did a good job.”
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Massapequa had a tough time creating much offense in the opening minutes against an experienced opponent. Their first shot attempt on goalie Laura Fanning, who finished with a pair of saves, came over 13 minutes into the game.
The Trojans’ constant pressure in the offensive zone paid off with the goal from the junior Piscopo. The team was short-handed in their season opener with the absence of seniors Alexandra Bruno and Catherine McTiernan.
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Massapequa had a handful of opportunities late in the second half, namely a shot by Kelsey O’Brien that rolled just left of the goal with five minutes remaining, but the first-half goal was able to hold up until the final buzzer.
“I think it was tough without our players that weren’t able to play, but we came together and pulled it out,” said Piscopo. “Overall, we played as a team and just kept it up. We get better every single game and every day of practice.”
Chiefs’ goalie Jacqueline Harrison finished the game with 12 saves for her team that has now lost their first two games, both by a score of 1-0 to Manhasset and this Garden City team.
“I thought we played great. To keep them to one goal is amazing and if we keep playing better each game of the season, we would be unstoppable,” said Massapequa head coach Barbara Lowell. “We need to improve on bringing the ball up the field more out to the wings. We have to make sure everyone is communicating in front of the goal as well.”
Garden City plays Cold Spring Harbor on the road Friday at 4:30 p.m. Massapequa also plays on the road Friday against Friends Academy at 4:15 p.m.
