Patriots 99 Advance to the Sweet Sixteen
Sparked by three goals from Samantha Coffey and a stellar defensive effort anchored by Gabriela Picciano, the Patriot 99s opened their Challenge Cup competition in impressive fashion under the lights at Tibbetts Brook Park on Oct. 3, scoring a 4-0 victory over the Rockville Center Wildcats.
Playing a U-12 opponent and competing in an 11 v. 11 game for the first time, the 99s dominated the game despite having a roster reduced by injury and illness to only 12 players. Midfielder Mason Warble played a superb game and scored the fourth goal on a wicked blast into the left corner after getting a long ball from Coffey and making a great run on the right flank.
"It was an impressive way to begin the Challenge Cup," coach Jeff Fleischmann said. "I’m proud of how the girls played, and how we got great contributions from everyone on the field. Every substitution had time to get a drink and jumped right back up to relieve another player."
The shutout was earned by the fine work of goalkeepers Delaney Coppola and Hayley Hall, who were well protected by the splendid play by Taylor Cvern, Julia DiRusso, Erin Nelson and Isabel Grant. Midfielders Warble and Beth Finley were tireless on both ends, orchestrating the offense and working with forwards Willow Bailon and Caroline LaGumina, both of whom made spirited runs and kept the pressure on the Wildcat defense.
When the Wildcats pushed their own attack, Picciano repeatedly turned them away with stellar play and booming clearing kicks that carried to midfield.
In the second round of Challenge Cup - a season-long tournament presided over by the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association - the 99s will face Sound Beach on the weekend of Oct. 17 at 12pm at Tibbetts Brook Park.
