In the first Epoch Game of the Week this season it featured two powerhouses with the Ward Melville Patriots traveling to Garden City to take on the Trojans in the opening game of the season for both teams. Last season when these two teams squared off, it was an 11-10 comeback win for the Patriots. This time around it was also another one goal affair, but no comeback was needed for Ward Melville to secure the win.
In the opening minutes of the game Ward Melville’s Emilia Retzlaff struck first, rebounding a Grace Mulham shot that rang off the post and tucking it in for the 1-0 lead. After Grace Mulham added a second goal for the Patriots, Garden City got on the board, also on a shot that was rebounded by Kyle Finnell which led to Maureen Arendt finding the back of the net making it a 2-1 game.
The Patriots once again gained a two goal advantage on a ball that snuck past the goal line on the shot by MJ Timpanaro. Garden City would cut the deficit back to one as Maureen Arendt assisted Marie Cacciabaudo to bring the score to 3-2. From that point on Ward Melville would end the first half on a 3-0 scoring run with two more coming from Retzlaff and one from Kate Spinks to give them a 6-2 lead going into halftime. Defensively Ward Melville got stellar goaltending from Ava Carrillo, and elite level defense from the starting defensive unit of Olivia Comerford, Peyton Phillips, Catie Edson and Quinlan Heilbron.
Like all championship level teams the Trojans made adjustments and fought themselves back into the game. They came out firing to start the second half on a goal by a cutting Tori Ottomanelli that was assisted by Kyle Finnell. A response by Ward Melville gave them a four goal cushion once again with Spinks’ second on the day coming right in front of the cage on an assist from Retzlaff. The two teams traded the following two goals which had the Patriots leading 8-4 midway through the half.
Garden City would then go on a 3-0 scoring run on goals scored by Regan Backer, Maureen Arendt, and Kyle Finnell. This sliced the lead down to one for Ward Melville as they aimed to hold on and play keep away in the closing minutes. Garden City would get possession with less than a minute remaining coming out of a timeout, but a crucial turnover forced by Kristin Vosswinkel secured the 8-7 victory for Ward Melville.
Emilia Retzlaff with three goals and two assists, and Ava Carrillo with 10 saves were awarded the two Epoch Players of the Game. Peyton Phillips on the defensive end earned the Revolution Athletics Grittiest Player of the Game.
Ward Melville (1-0) will next play on March 29th against Longwood in their first conference game of the season. Garden City (0-1) will be in action again on March 30th in another non-league matchup against Farmingdale.
