Can You Name That Cyclone???

Cyclones Pull Rabbit Out Of Hat Vs Magic

The Cyclones headed out farther east then they ever had before to Hauppauge for their 3rd game of the season. Despite an extraordinary first half effort the Cyclones trailed the Hauppauge Magic 1-0 as the half time whistle blew. The quality scoring chances seem to come in bunches in the first 35 minutes, but as much as the Magic bent, they would not break.
At halftime the girls were commmended for their efforts but they had dug a small hole that they needed to climb out of.
The Cyclones stepped it up in the second half and with Dana, Jamie & Anna L up front it was only matter of time before they would break through. With a play starting out in their defensive zone, by Jenna, the Cyclones got their first break. Jenna found Dana wide on the wing, Dana sent an excellent pass up the wing to Anna who broke through the defense before being fouled in the box. Anna then deposited the ensuing penalty kick in the left corner to the game.
The Cyclones kept battling and with seconds remaining, Jenna once again found an open player, this time it was Jamie who scored the game winner.
It was a well earned victory against a spirited opponent. Deniz shut down the chances the Magic mustered in the second half and there was outstanding play across the board. Anna's goal was her 3rd straight of a penalty kick. The Cyclones are currently tied for 2nd place going into week 4!

Cyclones Open with a Win

The Cyclones opened their 7th season at home against the team that eliminated them from Waldbaums Cup contention just 6 months earlier, the Copiague Blue Angels. Despite the warm feelings the 2 teams had for one another based on the Cyclones memorial day festival in which the Cyclones & Angels teamed up to take on their parents, both team meant business at game time.

The game was played evenly in the first half, a good sign for the Cyclones who had been outplayed in the cup match which they had lost 1-0. But, the complexion of things changed in the second half as the Cyclones started to control the tempo. As the half wore on the Cyclones seem to be in control and finally found the finishing touch off the familiar foot of all-time Cyclone goal scoring leader Dana, off a pretty feed from Marissa. Despite the 100% effort the Angels could not break down the stubborn Cyclone defense which seemed to really build off the tournament from the week before. Jamie finished the complete game shutout and the Cyclones had only their 2nd season opening win a 1-0 thriller.

Cyclones Labor on Labor Day Weekend

Playing shorthanded against stronger competition the Cyclones put in a full weekend of work in honor of labor day. Wearing the black jerseys in the heat against Floral Park, the Cyclones put in their best effort of the weekend. Scoreless at the half the Cyclones were hanging tough against the Mahicans from 2 divisions higher even after a goal midway through the 2nd half. Floral Park scored 2 more times in the waning moments to walk away with a 3-0 victory.

The Cyclones wore the white in their next match against Hewlett-Lawrence, that was the good news. The bad news was that the girls fared no better this time than they did a year and half ago when they lost by the same 4-0 score. The girls worked hard on Saturday and would no doubt get some reward down the road.

If things were tough on Saturday, there were comparitively rosey compared to Sunday. With Emily "Hyper" back in the lineup for a cameo appearance the Cyclones were prepared to take on 2 teams that had given them a tough time in their previous meetings Syosset & Plainedge. But, with Jordan sidelined with a cold that had hampered her the day before the girls would again be playing with a short bench on a long, hot summer afternoon. Despite numerous breakaways and close offsides calls the Cyclones had kept Syosset in their sights in game one. Trailing 3-1 late in the 2nd half the Cyclones suffered what will be their worst loss of the season when Lisa S went down after a collision just outside her own 18 yard box with an arm that was broken in 2 places. The game was suspended while the officials awaited the ambulance that would take Lisa to the hospital. To her credit Lisa got up on her own power and got on to the stretcher and into the ambulance her self. The Cyclones had lost one of their most valuable players and team captains likely for the season. Final score Syosset 3-1.

Despite the distraction of seeing one of their team leaders carted off the field an hour earlier the remaining Cyclones did their best to battle their old nemesis from Plainedge the Magic. Despite their best efforts the girls were short on numbers and ran out of steam falling 5-0.

Whatever benefit was gained by playing tougher competition in the tournament was tempered by the loss of suck a key player. How the cyclones would bounce back for next weeks season opener was anybody's guess.