The girls came out a little slow in their first league match against Clarke and didn't really get the ball moving until about 20 minutes into the game. With Clarke controlling much of the play in the midfield early in the game, GC saw limited chances on the attack. Conversely, the Lady Trojans were able to keep the Rams at bay with no scoring chances of their own as defenders Kerri DeFliese, Caroline Beaty and sisters Colette and Megan Seel put up a wall at the eighteen yard box limiting any shots on Nicole Chtchekine.
Garden City started to take control of the game midway through the first half and began to dominate the ball with midfielders Haley O'Hanlon, Katherine Malhame and the Meissmer sisters, Lauren and Sam moving the ball forward.
The first goal came off the foot of O'Hanlon as she moved through the midfield and let a shot go from about thirty yards out. The ball caught the keeper by surprise as the shot overpowered her and went through her hands for a 1-0 lead.
Keeping up the pressure GC had several more opportunities off of set pieces but failed to capitalize until Malhame crashed the goal and was able to get to a loose ball before the Clarke keeper. She got around the keeper and pushed the ball into the net for the 2-0 lead.
The second half started better for the Trojans and they had the play early on in the half. Pressing the Clarke defense with a good burst of speed, Joanna Sokolovic picked up a ball that was served from O'Hanlon's head to the edge of the 18 yard box. Sokolovic took control of the ball and calmly beat the keeper on the short side for the 3-0 lead.
Clarke did have several scoring chances in the second half but goalie Taylor Carpentier came up with two key saves before the goal by Sokolovic. The first was a pure reaction save low and into the corner and the second was on a high shot she pushed over the bar. The Rams were able to put one past Carpentier with about ten minutes left in the game but the Trojans held on for the 3-1 league victory.
Next week the girls have two matches with home games against Wantagh and Bellmore JFK on Tuesday and Thursday, respectively.
