The NHP Kool Kats came away with a much needed road victory this past Sunday as they defeated the Hicksville Tornadoes by a score of 3-0.
Registering the shutout for the Kool Kats was goalkeeper Kaitlyn Biscotti who turned away seven shots for the contest. Biscotti’s performance gave the Kats the opportunity to win the game.
The first half was made up of New Hyde Park attacks that were thwarted by the Tornadoes.
Whenever a Kool Kats player had a scoring attempt it appeared as if every shot was directly at the Hicksville keeper. Although the Kool Kats dominated play, the Tornadoes put up a fight and generated several scoring attempts. Two such attempts were breakaways that Biscotti snuffed. The first half ended in a 0-0 tie with Hicksville generating five shots on goal to the Kool Kats seven.
Coach Wheeler took control at the half and challenged the girls to pick up their game. And that they did, shutting down the Tornadoes, limiting them to just two shots on goal in the second half.
Hannah Fertig filled in beautifully at the stopper position. Fertig’s slick moves and ball handling prowess was a big part of the victory. Darting in and out around defenders in order to maintain possession of the ball and quarterback the offense was a game changer.
Also on the defensive side of the ball Brianna Higgins put in an excellent performance, defending against some of the fastest forwards in the league. At one point making a save on a rebound that was heading for the net.
Solid performances by Emma Innella and Lisa Famularo also contributed to shutting down the Tornado attack and preserving the shutout.
On the offensive side of the ball the Kool Kats, controlled the game in the second half, tallying 13 shots on goal and placing three in the net.
The first goal of the game came on an assist by defender Brianna Higgins who pushed the ball up the right wing to Emily Bunyon who struck the ball, on a high arcing shot, that found the back side of the net for the game winning goal.
On one of the better plays of the season Lady Abikarim (assist) drove up the right wing and crossed the ball in front of the goal mouth.
Midfielder Elissa Mejia (assist) just got her foot on the ball enough to deflect it to a waiting Kerry Neubert, who struck the ball, as Wheeler called it, decisively into the back of the net.
With time running out on the clock the Kool Kats started another charge up field. Midfielder Victoria Lofaro dribbled the ball up the left wing. Once she reached the 18 yard box she drilled a hard shot that deflected off of a Hicksville defender past the Tornadoes keeper for the final goal.
With the victory the Kool Kats guaranteed a winning season for their first season in Division 3.
Their current record is 4-2-2.
