Let it be known from the hilltops : The Plainedge Blasters are the Waldbaum's Cup Champions in the GU/12 Major Division.

In what turned out to be the best soccer day of the Spring 2003 season with high cirrus clouds and temperatures around 80 degrees, the Blasters turned back the East Islip Red Runners in a shootout, 3-1 in four shooters, to lay claim to the division crown.

Regulation play was very balanced between the two squads with Plainedge having the better of the action in the first twenty minutes with East Islip having the better play in the closing third of the game. Good shots were played by both teams, but there were not any breakaways as both teams focused on their defensive formations. After two scoreless golden goal overtimes, we were back into our familiar "shootout" scenario.

The shootout order was set up to include Liz, BriAnn, Katie, Kristen, and Brianna. East Islip's first shooter went very high over the center of the net while in the bottom of the first, Liz returned the favor with a high shot of her own to hold the score at zeros. The second frame saw East Islip strike the crossbar hard and rebound away harmlessly. BriAnn opened the scoring in the bottom of the second with a shot to the left side for a 1-0 advantage.

East Islip scored their only goal of the shootout in the third frame as Sara got her finger tips on the high shot to the left, but just could not bring the ball down. Katie planted her shot to the left side in the bottom of the third to restore Plainedge's advantage at 2-1.

The save of the match took place in the top of the fourth as Sara made a diving save to her left and the finger tip grab, high to the corner, kept the ball out of the net. With the match in the balance, Kristen struck a beautiful shot, again to the lower left, to seal the victory for the Blasters, 3-1, after four shooters.

This victory was the team's fifth straight in Waldbaum's Cup competition, four of those wins taking place over current Division One competition. The Blasters have taken on some of the best that Long Island had to offer in securing this tournament victory.

Congratulations to all of the girls on the Plainedge Blasters - your coaches and families are very proud of your accomplishments.

Date: June 15, 2003     Venue: Stonybrook Soccer Park