Montclair (1-2)

While April 13 greeted the Lightning players and parents with long awaited warm weather which miraculously dried up a waterlogged field, the result was an unlucky 2-1 loss to the tough Greater Flemington Freedom,Sunday at Park Middle School Scotch Plains.

Coach Luis Rodriguez was philosophical in defeat noting the tougher competition.
“This was our first contact with flight three team(The Freedom played in that group last fall). They were more alert and quick to the ball, more aggressive, more physical but in my opinion we kept them in track for a good 10-15 first minutes of the second half,” said Rodriguez

The Freedom used strong counterattacks to score one breakaway goal in each half the latter breaking a 1-1 tie. The Lightning had tied the game near the end of the first half on a spectacular header by Kristen Thompson who outjumped two players to direct Brittany Biondi’s cross past a surprised goalkeeper.

“That was a good display of effort and persistence, she deserved that goal, and fought hard for it”, said Rodriguez.

The Lightning,1-2 thusfar this Spring, are experiencing the growing pains of moving up from flight five to flight four a result of their second place finish. While the top two teams in each flight move up the bottom two move down and the middle two stay in place meaning the schedule is far tougher.

“We have to find ourselves in the rhythm of fourth flight, faster, stronger, basically: do the same but quicker.”, said Rodriguez.

“I am not disappointed with our game, but I know we could better. Perhaps with regular practices and knowing our own mistakes we'll get better.”

The Lightning offense clearly missed Heather Rodriguez,the coaches’ daughter who had scored their first goal a week ago. Rachel Parker and Jaclyn Lazarus were busier than usual in goal and made several fine plays to thwart further scoring. The defense of Alyssa Strainero, Javonni Costello and Maria Rivero were busier than usual. Costello made several dazzling runs far up the field from near her own goal.

Angelica Glover, Rachel Kreyer, Cheryl Monteiro, Jessica Nagourney and Joanna Naugle made numerous fine runs on offense and nearly scored on several occasions while also hustling back to midfield. Biondi. , who was injured late in the game, was a force in midfield along with Thompson and Cathy Harley.

Special mention must be given to Roger Harley, father of Cathy Harley, whose hustle along the sidelines prevented at least four out of bounds balls from going in the nearby creek.

The lightning will be off for Easter this Sunday and resume with an away match at the Montclair United Lightning.