There is no "I" in the word "TEAM" and that sentiment fits the Syosset Invasion Girls U-11 Travel Soccer team to a "T." With contributions from every position, the whole was even greater than the sum of the parts as Syosset defeated the Lynbrook-East Rockaway Lightning 3-0 in LIJSL Division 2 action last Saturday. The shutout victory in the second game of the season was the first league win for Syosset this spring following an opening day tie against the North Shore Jaguars.

Right forward Lexi Garay opened the scoring with her second goal of the season and the only goal of the first half off a throw-in by left defender Renee Kiviat to center midfielder Amanda Epstein. Amanda, in give-and-go style, played the ball back to Renee who lifted a high arching shot, much like a short corner kick, towards the front of the net. The Lynbrook goalie made the save but could not control the rebound as Lexi pounced on the ball and knocked it into the back of the net to give Renee a rare defender's assist and Syosset the early lead. The play of right midfielder Laura Goldman and left forward Samara Klafter enabled Syosset to control the action and time of possession throughout the remainder of the first half, which was characterized by several near-misses that either hit the post, the crossbar, or sailed just beyond them.

Syosset continued to dominate the action and pulled away with two more unanswered goals in the second half. Left midfielder Kasey LeVerne, who contributed on both ends of the field with skillful dribbling and tenacious effort, gave Syosset some breathing room and a two-goal lead when she received a pass from left forward Jordan Feinerman. Kasey was able to avoid the goalie, who was coming towards her to cut down the angle, and get off a strong shot with the outside of her foot that went into the right corner of the net. Michelle Florin capped the scoring for the Invasion with a crossing shot from the right corner of the goal box that bounced in front of the goalie and spun off her arm and into the left side of the goal.

The defense, led by Renee, center defender Stephanie Lucidi and right defender Denise Neuendorf, was particularly impressive, helping goaltender Jessica Greenberg preserve the precious shutout victory.