NEWSS Game Two pitted the Commack Blasters against the Connecticut United, a team that has just been formed using the top players from both the Connecticut Wildcats and the Connecticut Arsenal, both U/16 premier teams in the CUFC program. In short, CUFC is a talent-laden group that showed they can move the ball well in their 3-0 victory over Blackwatch in their first game of the day. Using the goals-for tie-breaker, Commack needed a win here to move onto the semi-finals.

Commack came out well prepared here and went toe-to-toe with CUFC throughout the first half. United played many balls back to their defense throughout the game on Tully Park's wide turf and often tried to push the ball through the middle of the field as opposed to playing the flanks which we had seen them do against Blackwatch.

Commack scored the match's only goal in the fourteenth minute as a pass from Alyssa landed at the six yard box where Meghan was perfectly positioned to drive home a rocket for the 1-0 lead. Defensively, Ashley and Alyssa again anchored the action in back in front of some very aggressive keeping by Sara and all three deserve recognition for their efforts. As left defender, Jen's speed was an tremendous asset as she continued her dynamite play from the opening match.

Knowing that a tie would not help Commack's cause, the girls came out in the second half playing a quality possession game that we saw in the first half. CUFC was still winning their share of 50/50 balls, but both teams were playing excellent soccer as the ball was moved from side to side. In the midfield, Nicky and Meghan played another great second half with Meghan really putting some quality time into the middle. Up top, Saulty, Tori, and Liz pressured the ball forward and Liz's second half cross found Saulty's head resulting in a terrific save by the CUFC keeper with only ten minutes remaining.

Gina played very aggressively and impressively on the outside midfield taking on players during the course of the game and winning balls down the line. Meredith's lethal throw nearly led to another goal in the second half while on the field she took on all challengers. Brooke, just back to the pitch, gave fifteen excellent minutes in the second stanza while Campy took a well needed breather after chasing the speedy outside forwards for CUFC. Carly played the lines exceptionally well and pressed inside the eighteen on three occasions in the second half.

In winning their second 1-0 match of the day, the Commack Blasters earned the NEWSS Semi-finalist title for winning Group B and will play in the Champions Bracket on Sunday. The story remains the excellent defensive play throughout the first day's tournament action.

Date: November 25, 2006     Venue: Tully Park - New Hyde Park NY