Thunder strikes at Fairport tourney

The Amherst U-10 Girls Soccer Club recently battled their way to a second-place finish in the U-11 division of the Fairport Soccer Tournament.

The Thunder's hard work began on July 7 when they took a 3-1 win over the Penfield Strikers. The Thunder defense put up a wall, made up mainly of Erin Hopkins, Hailey Sheridan and Alessia Galante, to keep the game alive. Meredith Licata, Alyssa Calandra and Hopkins each scored a goal.

Goalkeepers Hannah Kruse and Kim Brace blocked numerous attempts at the net. Kristin Koral was awarded with the sportsmanship medal.

In the second game on July 7, the Thunder lost to the Fairport Rockets, 4-1. Megan Butterson took home the sportsmanship award.

The next morning, the team tied the Syracuse Football Club, 3-3. The Thunder's defensive wall was attacked but didn't give up. With hard work by Natalie Hazzan, Emily Richeal, Brace, Katie Burke and left-footed Bridget Sleap, the team was able to get the ball to the team's all-time leading scorer, Licata, who with quick breakaways and smart footwork, scored all three goals. With only moments left to play, Fairport scored their third goal to end the game tied.

The final points to move on to the championship round had to come down to the number of goals scored by the two competing teams. The Thunder prevailed over Penfield, 3-1, and moved on to oppose the undefeated Fairport Rockets.

The Rockets scored the first two goals and were starting to make it look easy until the Thunder came rolling back with a nice battle in the corner and a cross to set up Madeline Mahon, who one-timed it past the goalie.

The next goal was again scored by Licata on a breakaway. Fairport came back to beat the Thunder, 7-4, in a hard-fought game of shear determination and effort.