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Even though there was no scoring, there was plenty of exciting end-to-end action. Amy Greenberg was again spectacular in goal, notching her third shutout of the season. Helping out was the Liberty's sting defense led by Charlotte Barrett, Lindsay Shack and Chelsea Baldo, who were outstanding at their usual positions.
Jessica Civello and Christine Anerella helped out on defense and played midfield and forward. The loss of striker Kendall Baldo to injury late in the first half did not deter them from hanging tough on a hot sunny day in Valley Stream.
Melissa Prusak, Michelle Shapiro and Amanda Metz played a strong midfield. Melissa Weiss, Pipi Mani and Civello kept the pressure on, playing at forward.
The game ended in controversy when it appeared Anerella scored with one second left. Her right angle shot was airborne when the referee blew his whistle to end the match.
The officials claimed that even though the shot was taken before his whistle had blown, it did not count. Although the score did not indicate a win, the Liberty players showed a lot of desire and heart, and it was truly appreciated by those who saw it.
The Little Neck Blaze had an impressive 3-0 win over the Port Washington Stars. Rebecca Cushman, assisted by Ariel Levy and Stacy Pierre-Louis, scored the Blaze's first goal in the 11th minute.
Several minutes later, defender Ellen Peiser came forward to take a corner kick. The ball was perfectly crossed to Ariel Levy, who passed it to Stacy Pierre-Louis for the team's second goal.
Midway through the second half, defender Lauren Gross came forward to play a loose ball, passing it to Stacy Pierre-Louis. Pierre-Louis in turn crossed it to Michelle Baricevic, who one-touched it for the Blaze's third and final goal of the day.
Defenders Lauren Gross, Emma Hand, Hannah Fertig and Ellen Peiser effectively stopped the Stars' offense the entire game, resulting in minimal work for the team's three goalkeepers, Vivian Sze, Hannah Fertig and Rebecca Cushman.
