On a perfect Sunday for soccer, the Blue Angels and the Strike Force had an epic soccer match for the U8 Intramural Spring Championship. From the kick-off you could see that this game was going to be a battle.
With Nicole Mrakovcic in goal and a defense led early by Emily MacKnight and Henna Nair, the Blue Angels kept the Strike Force off the board.
Led by midfielders Lily Becker and Jenna Neu and forwards Amanda Garcia and Michela Giura, the Blue Angels were on the attack early, but were stopped by good goal tending and good defense play. The game went into the half in a 0-0 tie.
The Blue Angels came out of the half attacking, several shots on goal were stopped or just missed the net.
MacKnight, playing midfield in the second half, had a great opportunity as she hit a blast just right of the goal post.
On defense, the Blue Angels continued the second half playing a fantastic game with great contributions by Nikki Maropakis and Rikki Cohen. Midway thru the half, Becker broke away from several defenders and put the Blue Angels ahead 1-0 with a blast to the back the net.
With a little less then five minutes left in the game, The Blue Angels were whistled with a handball in the box. The Strike Force were rewarded a penalty kick.
With Michela Giura in goal and Maria Poulus taking the penalty kick for the Strike Force this was the pivotal point in the game. Poulos hit a rocket that was going high into the net, Giura quickly reacted and knocked the ball down for a huge save.
The rebound trickled back out to Poulus and once again she blasted a shot that Giura saved again!
A huge roar of the crowd as they witnessed the best goal tending moment of the year and literally the save of the game!
The clock ticked down to zero a few minutes later and the Blue Angels walked off the field 1-0 winners and Champs!
Congratulations Blue Angels on a great championship spring season.
Starting slowly, going 0-2-1, the Blue Angels came on really strong the last five weeks holding their opponents scoreless in rolling to five consecutive wins and the championship. Coaches Tony Garcia and Anthony Giura could not have asked for a better group of girls and are very proud of what their Blue Angels were able to accomplish. Champs!
