Revolution break Hearts, Destroyers

The Amherst Revolution U-12 Girls Soccer Club has been turning the heads of its older opponents while breaking many hearts this season. Amherst is currently 7-2 in the U-13 "A" division.

For the past two weeks, unselfish teamwork helped the Revolution overcome its opponents, the Tonawanda Hearts and the Akron Destroyers. The Revolution beat Tonawanda, 4-0, and Akron, 6-1.

Amherst put on passing clinics against the Hearts and Destroyers, who tried hard but couldn't keep up with the Revolution girls.

Playing their usual strong games were Carissima Cutrona, Alicia Girard, Kaitlyn Neese, Sara Eichhorn, Alyssa Cartwright, Hannah Dreger and Cathryn Mahon. Goalkeepers Christine Murphy and Francesca Carra did not face may shots but when they did, Murphy and Carra were outstanding, earning a well-deserved shutout and letting in only one goal against the Destroyers.

Coming off a bye week, the Revolution looked a little rusty early on against Tonawanda. Amherst kept shooting the ball wide or high but not past the Tonawanda goalkeeper. That changed when Shannon Doherty found the back of the net with a pinpoint shot from about 23 yards halfway through the first half.

Tonawanda did not give up as the Revolution played keep away. When a Tonawanda girl challenged for the ball, the Revolution player side stepped her opponent or neatly passed to an open teammate.

Even with all the dominant play, the Revolution left the field at halftime ahead, 1-0. In the second half, the keep away game continued but the shooting became straighter for the Revolution.

Margaux Gill's perfect crossing pass from the right side to the left found Kaitlin Walsh a willing recipient. Walsh wasted no time in finishing the play, making it 2-0. Minutes later, Courtney Kramer replayed Gill's cross pass but from left to right, again finding Walsh for another perfect shot and goal. Walsh made a hat trick with a pretty left footer.

Against the Destroyers, Morgaine Houston knocked in her first goal of the year with a beautiful left footer. Nika Berrafato chipped in the second goal after getting the rebound of Annie Garcia's shot, which hit the goal post. Garcia didn't quit and was rewarded with a goal, making it 3-0. Katie Cohen deposited a wonderful redirect of a Gill crossing pass. Gill closed the Revolution scoring with two goals on breakaways.

The Akron girls showed no quit as they continued to press the Revolution defense, finally putting a late goal in the back of the net.