While arrival Friday saw temperatures in the eighties, the Saturday morning opening match with the former Tri-Valley Eagles was greeted by a cloudy fifty degrees and windy conditions at Deep Run High School. An early first half New England goal translated into a high scoring second half as Commack dropped the opening march, 4-2, in their first game in the Premier Orange Division at Jefferson Cup 2008.

Scoring opened at the seven minute mark as a corner kick from the Eagles was mishandled and dropped into the net for a 1-0 New England lead. A great breakaway save by Stephanie three minutes later kept the Eagles off the board until halftime.

Two minutes into the second stanza, Ashley scored on a well placed shot from the right side assisted by Saulty who was fed by Brooke to level the score at 1-1. Alyssa received a controversial yellow card in minute six and the game's intensity was magnified from there. New England scored from their second corner kick in minute sixteen to take a 2-1 advantage. Just three minutes later, New England again found paydirt as a well played offensive one-on-one beat the Commack defense for a 3-1 lead. In the twenty-fifth minute, the Eagles extended to a 4-1 lead before Jen brought Blasters back within two on an excellent, driven ball for a 4-2 score from Brooke in the thirty-third minute.

Good coaching attendance at the first match included Brandeis, Loyola, Bryant, and several others.

Date: March 29, 2008     Venue: Deep Run High School - Richmond VA