The Auburndale Dragons entered the weekend knowing that if they won their three remaining games they would be crowned league champs. But in a 24-hour period of sweltering heat they suffered a double loss, in both games, and in personnel.
On Saturday morning the girls travelled to Rockville Centre to take on the Racers and Katie Mc Phillips gave the Dragons a 1-0 lead on 15 minutes. But Katie’s season would end abruptly a few minutes later when she suffered a double fracture of her left wrist.
The Racers came back and equalized just before the half and opened the second half with a goal to stun the Dragons. Amberly Cabral worked tirelessly, and was unlucky on a couple of occasions, but the Racers keeper was alertly off her line to smother her efforts. The Racers, though, put the Dragons under severe pressure and Deanna Lucci, Kristen Pulley, Celeste Trevellini in goal and particularly Ali Crocitto at left midfield were resolute in defense.
The constant pressure did eventually pay dividends for Rockville when they got an all important insurance goal with nine minutes remaining.
The Dragons were home to Syosset Red Bulls Sunday morning but just before the match Danielle revealed she had sprained her left shoulder the evening before. She actually started the match, but it was apparent from the outset that she was in a lot of pain. Syosset took the lead in the 20th minute.
Five minutes into the second half Gina Giraldi, who had moved into an attacking role played a nice through ball and Sabrina guided it beautifully into the net for a deserved equalizer.The conditions at this stage had become
Samantha Ubertini had a half chance but was unlucky as it went inches wide. Syosset retook the lead in the 14th minute, but back came the Dragons once again, and after Sabrina rattled the crossbar with a thunderbolt, Erin Mc Kenna followed up smartly and smashed the rebound into the net to make it 2-2.
Syosset, though, regained the lead and added a fourth goal to put the game away.
