Cyclones Close Out The Spring Fighting To The Finish

It was another strong performance by the Cyclones as they fought until the final whistle playing the RVC Blasters to a 1-1 tie on Saturday afternoon. The 3rd place Blasters came into the game having won 3 in a row against the Cyclones including an evenly played 2-1 game in April. As they did in April it was the Cyclones grabbing an early lead on Dana's 5th goal of the season. Dana's goal was the result of both Rachel & Jenna fighting to keep the ball in and push it up the wing. Anchored by Kiera, Amanda & both Anna's the Cyclone defense was once again virtually impenetrable. Meanwhile the midfielders, Rachel, Jenna, Jordan, Lisa, Ravid, Marissa & Kathleen did an outstanding job keeping the ball deep in RVC territory feeding Alexa and Dana. The scored remained 1-0 at halftime, but as good teams do the Blasters came out strong in the 2nd half and kept the pressure on until getting the tying goal.
With their newly signed teammate observing from the players bench and determined to play for the win the Cyclones turned up the pressure and threw everything but the kitchen sink at the Blasters the rest of the game. There were many chances and many 50/50 battles won by the Cyclones as they gambled with 4 and sometimes 5 forwards pushing for the winning goal. At the same time the Blasters got several breakaways only to be snuffed out by a brilliant performance in goal by Diana. In only her 2nd appearance in net this season Diana was as sharp as she would have been playing all season. Definitely one of the most exciting games we've seen this season.
The final score 1-1.

For the Cyclones the final record of 3-3-3 was an indicator of so many positive things. The team played more aggressively and physical than we have ever seen. The camaraderie was once again as good as ever. The maturity and leadership of the girls showed up on the field and on the bench.
Here are the numbers...
- The 3 losses tie for the lowest in a season with our 1st season
- 12 goals allowed in 9 games a team record, congratulations to Deniz and the defense
- 4th place finish best ever in team history

Thanks to Lon & Vicki here are the pictures...
The 1st one is my favorite!

Cyclones Pitch Perfect Game Beating Syosset For 3rd Straight Time

Pay back is a...pleasure, at least it is for the Cyclones. After going winless in 12 previous games against 3 different Syosset opponents the Cyclones have made it 3 in a row increasing the margin of victory each time. Saturday's 3-0 win at Stillwell fields was the most complete victory the Cyclones have had in some time. From the opening whistle the Cyclones were in control. Goals by Jordan on a breakaway and Alexa off a great cross from Dana gave the girls a comfy 2-0 halftime lead.
When Anna L scored on a breakaway off a beautiful pass from Amanda the Syosset Infinity were done. Deniz was tested little on the way to her 5th career shutout as the Cyclone defense once again put the lock down on another opponent.

Whitewater Rafting Memorial Day Weekend

Things Get Hairy As Cyclones Tie Little Neck

If ever there was a sign that the Cyclones were turning a corner it was in Saturday May 8th's match up with undefeated, first place Little Neck. Coming into the game the Titans were 5-0, had allowed only 1 goal and were reputed to be the most physical team in the division. At 1-2-1 the Cyclones were hardly considered a threat to a team looking at a perfect record. But, these are not your mothers Cyclones. By halftime Amanda had scored 2 goals against the team that had only allowed 1 in their previous 5 games. Anna L had earned a penalty kick and her first career yellow card, the 2nd by a Cyclone player ever.
With the referee swallowing his whistle throughout most of the game and Little Neck's confidence turning into frustration the 2-2 game in the 2nd half got chippy. The Titans could not break through the Cyclones back 8, or Deniz's clutch goalkeeping and started to target the Cyclone goal scorer. After receiving a violent smack across the face and neck while trying to maintain possession Amanda's retaliation earned her a yellow card the Cyclones 2nd of the game and 1 more than they had in the previous 170+ games.
The Cyclones showed their mettle in the 2nd half, showing a conviction to fight to the finish as the Titans spent the final minutes appealing to the referee for calls against the more physical Cyclones. It is the first time in Cyclone history that they were not beaten by the eventual division winner.

Cyclones play a near perfect game, but lose 1-0

It was the 10th meeting between the LunaChics and Cyclones. The series dominated in recent series by the Chics has seen its share of close games and this was one of them.
The LunaChics got an early goal on a rare foray into Cyclone territory. But other than that and another shot that Deniz made an outstanding save on the game was played in the chics zone. The Cyclones had plenty of opportunities, Amanda wiyh at least 5 or 6 of her own. In the end the Levittown keeper got the shutout despite the Cyclone dominance.

Cyclones & Cheshire Cats Play Another Wild One

In a short period of time the Cyclones and the Cheshire Cats have built a healthy rivalry and Saturdays game was possibly the best one yet. Both Dana & Anna L scored 1st half goals to give the Cyclones a 2-1 halftime lead. The Cyclones came out strong in the 2nd half and when Anna scored her 2nd goal of the game from over 40 yards out the Cyclones had a 3-1 lead.
BUT, as the Cyclones know the Cheshire Cats never quit. The Cats scored 2 late second half goals and almost had a 3rd before the final whistle blew.
The 3-3 tie was the 1st in Cyclone History.