The New Hyde Park Kool Kats kept pace, in the U-17 division of the LIJSL, with the first-place POB Lady Force, by pulling out a late victory 1-0 against a stubborn Hauppauge Heat team at Memorial High School this past Sunday.
The Kool Kats came into the contest with confidence after defeating the Heat on their home field back on Oct. 3 by the score of 4-0.
However the Hauppauge team that came to New Hyde Park were no pushovers. The contest was very even with the play going back and forth between the two teams.
The first half ended in a 0-0 tie. The Kool Kats tallied five shots on goal to the Heat’s four in the first half.
The inspired play ofgGoalkeeper Kaitlyn Biscotti, who was credited with six saves for the game, cut off many balls and was aggressive coming out of the 18-yard box to clear balls the entire game.
Midfielder Lady Abrikaram had to play defense for a second straight game and again played admirably in the Kool Kats victory.
Lady shored up a defense that was missing two starters and later lost another defender to an injury in the second half.
The entire defense stepped it up holding the Heat to only two shots on goal in the second half.
The Kool Kats offense was able to generate a number of corner kicks with their attack, nine for the game.
At the 59th minute Casey Naab (assist) lined up to take the Kool Kats sixth corner of the match. Naab launched the ball from the right corner with her left foot, as the ball was curving towards the net striker Alyssa Franco drove towards the net and headed the game winner past the Heats keeper.
The Kool Kats still had to hold their breath as the game continued on. The Kool Kats took control tallying seven shots on goal in the second half but were not able to add to the score.
Everyone was happy to get the 1-0 victory to set up the Kool Kats for what will turn out to be the deciding game for the division championship.
The game is Friday Nov. 19 against the POB Lady Force at Tully Field.
Warm-Ups are at 5:15 p.m.; kickoff at 6 p.m.
We hope that all of the parents, friends and families of the team will come out and support us on our quest to win back to back division championships.
