It took a sequence of events that occurred during a short period in the second half of the Cyclones 1st game in the Covanta Tournament to notice that something special was happening.
The Cyclones were trailing 2-0 to eventual tournament winners Merrick with about 10 minutes to play when star guest player Kelly Iovino sent a harmless looking shot at the Merrick keeper. The keeper misplayed the ball and then fell down. As she reached back to recover the ball, it was too late, the ball had crossed the goal line and the Cyclones were back in the game. Just minutes later a Merrick forward found herself in a situation that strikers can only dream about, all alone with the ball, facing only the goal keeper Lisa Soehngen from 6 yards out. The striker blasted the ball, but the shot was sent directly into the reliable arms of the waiting keeper to keep the Cyclones within a goal.
Following Soehngen’s punt and with literally seconds remaining the Cyclones other star guest player Ali Gungor took a shot that the Merrick keeper did well to keep out, but Gungor emphatically blasted the rebound in to the net to tie the match. By the time Merrick regrouped and lined up for the kickoff the final whistle blew.
Trailing 2-0 late in the second half against a U-13 team, the U-12 Cyclones had come back to tie the game, yes something special was happening.
In the second game against fellow U-12 Floral Park, the Cyclone jumped out to a 2-0 lead on the very familiar left leg of the teams all time leading scorer Dana Mass. After Gungor, who ended up scoring a goal in each game, added a 3rd goal the Cyclones controlled play trying to work some of the other players into to offense. After closing it out with a 3-1 win the Cyclones were tied for 1st with Merrick after day 1.
Day 2 started out with a bang, 2 quick Dana Mass goals put the Cyclones in front of the NHP Pantherettes. The score was 4-0 at halftime after Jordan Allen & Maureen Bradley tickled the twine later in the half. After Ali Gungor scored early in the 2nd half the Cyclones pulled back and worked on their passing and possession game. The Pantherettes were able to get 2 goals back, but they never really threatened and the Cyclones cruised 5-2.
Game 4 would end up being the most critical game of the weekend as the Cyclones went up against the U-13 Oyster Bay Eclipse, the largest and most physical of all the opponents they would face. Ali Gungor gave the Cyclones the early 1-0 lead, which lasted until the final seconds of the 1st half when the Eclipse tied it.
What stood out most throughout the second half of this fiercely contested match was the high level of determination and skill on display from the entire Cyclones roster. Lots of credit goes to Jamie Reich and Lisa Soehngen for solid goalkeeping in this 1-1 tie.
Although the tie in game 4 meant that the Cyclones were virtually eliminated from a shot at the Covanta Cup, second place fell well within their grasp if they could take care of their nemesis from Levittown, the Levittown Lunachicks.
The Lunachicks were clearly not the same team that they were in the past and the Cyclones were a team on a mission, The Cyclones saw Dana Mass score 2 goals a game for the 3rd time in the tournament increasing her all-time team leading career total to 26 goals, Kelly Iovino and Ali Gungor also added goals. But more team highlights were to come.
In the second half both Marissa Hauser & Rachel Trueman scored their first Cyclone goals causing the sideline to erupt with joy. Both players had outstanding weekends playing the best soccer of their Cyclone careers.
The 6-1 win over Levittown meant that the Cyclones had finished the weekend in 2nd place, the highest tournament finish in team history.
There were many heroes who did not score during the tournament, but were no less instrumental in the success of the team. Anna Lin had her best games as a Cyclone, simply dominating the play in the midfield, with her ball control and pinpoint passing.
Jenna Malamud played a smart tournament playing with courage and an abundance of energy while also playing under control and being smart. Lisa Rosenstein had her best tournament as a Cyclone, playing with the edge that elevates her game. Lisa came very close to tapping home her second career left foot goal.
It has now become common place to expect Ariel Harned to shut down opposing wingers from her right fullback position. She once again demonstrated her coolness under pressure, steering many possible chances for the opponents to safety for the Cyclones. Ariel came close to scoring as well during a reluctant cameo appearance on offense on Sunday.
The tandem of goal keeper and field players Jamie Reich and Lisa Soehngen have also become a great weapon as both players continued to prove to be factors in goal and on offense for Jamie and defense for Lisa.
Deniz Harned’s Cyclone debut was a solid one. Deniz barely missed her first goal on Saturday against Floral Park. Meanwhile she was one of the few Cyclones to play at Forward, Midfield & Defense playing well in all 3 spots.
Hard working Kathleen Donovan also made her Cyclone debut. Kathleen had some great moments including some extended time on forward pressuring the Levittown defense in the tournament finale.
In contrast Ravid Granov made her farewell performance with the Cyclones a memorable one as she set up Jordan Allen with a beautiful thread the needle pass leading to a breakaway and a Cyclone goal. Ravid has improved greatly in her one year as a Cyclone and the team honored her achievements after the game.
The Cyclones left the Covanta Tournament proudly clutching the 2nd place plaques that they had worked so hard to earn. With a little help from their friends, Ali & Kelly, the Cyclones have kicked off the Fall season in outstanding style. Maybe something special is happening.
The Cyclones were trailing 2-0 to eventual tournament winners Merrick with about 10 minutes to play when star guest player Kelly Iovino sent a harmless looking shot at the Merrick keeper. The keeper misplayed the ball and then fell down. As she reached back to recover the ball, it was too late, the ball had crossed the goal line and the Cyclones were back in the game. Just minutes later a Merrick forward found herself in a situation that strikers can only dream about, all alone with the ball, facing only the goal keeper Lisa Soehngen from 6 yards out. The striker blasted the ball, but the shot was sent directly into the reliable arms of the waiting keeper to keep the Cyclones within a goal.
Following Soehngen’s punt and with literally seconds remaining the Cyclones other star guest player Ali Gungor took a shot that the Merrick keeper did well to keep out, but Gungor emphatically blasted the rebound in to the net to tie the match. By the time Merrick regrouped and lined up for the kickoff the final whistle blew.
Trailing 2-0 late in the second half against a U-13 team, the U-12 Cyclones had come back to tie the game, yes something special was happening.
In the second game against fellow U-12 Floral Park, the Cyclone jumped out to a 2-0 lead on the very familiar left leg of the teams all time leading scorer Dana Mass. After Gungor, who ended up scoring a goal in each game, added a 3rd goal the Cyclones controlled play trying to work some of the other players into to offense. After closing it out with a 3-1 win the Cyclones were tied for 1st with Merrick after day 1.
Day 2 started out with a bang, 2 quick Dana Mass goals put the Cyclones in front of the NHP Pantherettes. The score was 4-0 at halftime after Jordan Allen & Maureen Bradley tickled the twine later in the half. After Ali Gungor scored early in the 2nd half the Cyclones pulled back and worked on their passing and possession game. The Pantherettes were able to get 2 goals back, but they never really threatened and the Cyclones cruised 5-2.
Game 4 would end up being the most critical game of the weekend as the Cyclones went up against the U-13 Oyster Bay Eclipse, the largest and most physical of all the opponents they would face. Ali Gungor gave the Cyclones the early 1-0 lead, which lasted until the final seconds of the 1st half when the Eclipse tied it.
What stood out most throughout the second half of this fiercely contested match was the high level of determination and skill on display from the entire Cyclones roster. Lots of credit goes to Jamie Reich and Lisa Soehngen for solid goalkeeping in this 1-1 tie.
Although the tie in game 4 meant that the Cyclones were virtually eliminated from a shot at the Covanta Cup, second place fell well within their grasp if they could take care of their nemesis from Levittown, the Levittown Lunachicks.
The Lunachicks were clearly not the same team that they were in the past and the Cyclones were a team on a mission, The Cyclones saw Dana Mass score 2 goals a game for the 3rd time in the tournament increasing her all-time team leading career total to 26 goals, Kelly Iovino and Ali Gungor also added goals. But more team highlights were to come.
In the second half both Marissa Hauser & Rachel Trueman scored their first Cyclone goals causing the sideline to erupt with joy. Both players had outstanding weekends playing the best soccer of their Cyclone careers.
The 6-1 win over Levittown meant that the Cyclones had finished the weekend in 2nd place, the highest tournament finish in team history.
There were many heroes who did not score during the tournament, but were no less instrumental in the success of the team. Anna Lin had her best games as a Cyclone, simply dominating the play in the midfield, with her ball control and pinpoint passing.
Jenna Malamud played a smart tournament playing with courage and an abundance of energy while also playing under control and being smart. Lisa Rosenstein had her best tournament as a Cyclone, playing with the edge that elevates her game. Lisa came very close to tapping home her second career left foot goal.
It has now become common place to expect Ariel Harned to shut down opposing wingers from her right fullback position. She once again demonstrated her coolness under pressure, steering many possible chances for the opponents to safety for the Cyclones. Ariel came close to scoring as well during a reluctant cameo appearance on offense on Sunday.
The tandem of goal keeper and field players Jamie Reich and Lisa Soehngen have also become a great weapon as both players continued to prove to be factors in goal and on offense for Jamie and defense for Lisa.
Deniz Harned’s Cyclone debut was a solid one. Deniz barely missed her first goal on Saturday against Floral Park. Meanwhile she was one of the few Cyclones to play at Forward, Midfield & Defense playing well in all 3 spots.
Hard working Kathleen Donovan also made her Cyclone debut. Kathleen had some great moments including some extended time on forward pressuring the Levittown defense in the tournament finale.
In contrast Ravid Granov made her farewell performance with the Cyclones a memorable one as she set up Jordan Allen with a beautiful thread the needle pass leading to a breakaway and a Cyclone goal. Ravid has improved greatly in her one year as a Cyclone and the team honored her achievements after the game.
The Cyclones left the Covanta Tournament proudly clutching the 2nd place plaques that they had worked so hard to earn. With a little help from their friends, Ali & Kelly, the Cyclones have kicked off the Fall season in outstanding style. Maybe something special is happening.
