Revolution beats Lightning, avenges loss

On a cloudy evening in Lockport, the Amherst Revolution U-12 Girls Soccer Club revealed their character once again as they avenged an early season loss to the Lockport Lightning U-13 soccer team, winning 2-1.

The victory was their seventh in a row and raised the Revolution's record to 9-2, good for second place in the WNY Girls U-13 league.

The Revolution faced a stiff challenge early in the game by the Lightning offense but goalkeeper Francesca Carra was up to the challenge. Carra made several great saves to keep the Lightning off the board and allow the Revolution to break out its amazing passing and defensive game.

The Revolution's play left the Lightning frustrated as the game of keep away progressed. Anchoring the defense and midfield was Shannon Doughty, who played perhaps her best game of the year in a year of amazing games.

Not to be out done, unselfish tremendous team play by Nika Berrafato, Kaitlyn Neese, Kaitlin Walsh, Morgaine Houston, Alicia Girard, Annie Garcia, Courtney Kramer and Cathryn Mahon, Hannah Dreger, Angela Sobotka and Katie Cohen kept the Lightning at bay for most of the evening.

In the first half, Carissima Cutrona created the first Revolution goal by placing a beautiful shot on net, only to have it stopped by a Lightning defender just before the ball crossed the goal line. As Cutrona raced toward the loose ball, another Lightning player saw her, reached for the ball with her foot and twirled around to clear the ball only to put the ball in her own net.

The second half was full of great plays by the Revolution but they could not beat the Lightning keeper for another goal. The Lightning tied it midway through the second half on a long shot off an indirect kick.

With its winning streak on the line, the Revolution needed a big play and they got it. Cutrona, playing center forward, took a beautiful lead pass from the midfield. As she made her run down the field with a much larger Lightning player literally hanging on her back, Cutrona shielded the defender from the ball and beat the Lightning keeper with a low hard shot just inside the left post. Revolution second half goalkeeper Mahon made the save of the game just as time ran out on the Lightning to preserve the win.