LI's Eagles Claw Brooklyn's Bears in thier First Women's Soccer Tilt

Patchogue, N.Y.— For the first time on Thursday evening the St. Joseph's-Long Island Lady Eagles (5-2-2) took on the St Joseph's-Brooklyn Lady Bears (1-1-1) in a women's soccer match that can be best described as a sibling rivalry.  The Eagles came away with the 3-0 win as their Brooklyn counterparts, equipped with only eleven players, struggled to keep up.  This is the inaugural season for the Brooklyn women's soccer team.

While Eagles goalie Kayla Flowers (Patchogue, N.Y./Patchogue-Medford), who was named ECAC Metro defensive player of the week recently, didn't see much action on Thursday, Bears goalkeeper Nicole Farinella kept busy, saving 20 out of 23 shots on goal.

The Lady Eagles came out with fire under their feet, scoring two consecutive goals in the second and third minute of the game. Forward Michelle Barclay (Holbrook, N.Y./Sachem North) scored first off of a rebound at the 1:42 mark.  Approximately one minute later, midfielder Elizabeth Pulaski (North Babylon N.Y./St. John the Baptist), put in a cross from Jennifer Martino (East Patchogue, N.Y./Bellport).

For the next forty minutes of play the game slowed down but the Lady Eagles were sure to keep the ball on the offensive end of the field.  By the forty-third minute of the game the Golden Eagles had amassed 18 shots, including 12 shots on goal. The home team found the back of the net again when forward Caitlin Halloran (Medford, N.Y./ Patchogue-Medford) scored the third and final goal of the game off of an assist from Allison Fabrizio (Islip, N.Y./St. John the Baptist) at 42:27 in the first half.

The Lady Eagles maintained their offensive presence in the second half of the game, however, of the 14 shots taken in the final 45 minutes, none met their target. Jessica Cordano (Oakdale N.Y./Connetquot) finished with seven shots, Cait Halloran had six; Gina Guardino (Lindenhurst, N.Y./Lindenhurst) and Julia Tomlinson (Smithtown, N.Y./Smithtown Christian) each came away with four shots.

The Lady Eagles will challenge Skyline-foe Maritime Friday (9/21) in their first conference game of the season on the road at 5:00 p.m.  They will then return home to face arch-rival Farmingdale State on Wednesday at 4:00 p.m.

(Game recap by Caitlynn Webber)