Levittown, New York (Saturday, May 22) - The Long Island Rough Riders women’s team succumbed to the Hudson Valley Quickstrike Saturday night, falling at home 3-1 in Levittown, New York.
Gabriela Demoner lead the scoring for Hudson Valley, notching goals in the 4th and 75th minutes, while Brooke DeRosa scored the lone Rough Rider goal in the 41st. Kelly Eagan contributed a header in the 43rd for the visitors.
It was Hudson Valley’s first game of the campaign, and they got off to a flying start courtesy of a Rough Rider mistake in the 4th minute. Gabriela Demoner intercepted an errant cross-field pass deep in the Rough Riders’ half and chipped onrushing Long Island goalkeeper Brittany Henderson to open the scoring.
The goal was indicative of what was to come in the first half-hour, as Quickstrike controlled much of the game. Long Island had difficulty retaining possession, relying on long balls over the top of the Quickstrike back line.
Demoner continued to impose herself, winning multiple aerial balls with both her chest and head, forcing Henderson to tip a header onto the crossbar in the 24th minute. Jackie Acevedo was also a constant threat to the Rough Rider back line, forcing Sue Weber and Janine Bizelia into multiple last-ditch tackles.
Long Island stole back the momentum in the 40th minute, with Brooke DeRosa showing good strength to win a corner on the right side. CJ Ludemann stepped up to take it, and after Quickstrike goalie Erin McNully fumbled the ball in the box, DeRosa was on hand to head the ball into the back of the net from eight yards out.
The Rough Riders tried to maintain their comeback, but were caught napping off a quick re-start in the 43rd minute. Quickstrke’s Hannah Cerrone’s nifty footwork won her side a free kick on the edge of the 18-yard box. She then quickly received the ball back along the ground from Melissa Hayes, crossing it to the far post for Kelly Eagan to head into the back of the net, stunning the Rough Riders right before halftime.
Long Island fought back in the beginning 20 minutes of the second half, as Tiffany Yovino and Molly Dreska created several chances that the Rough Riders were unable to capitalize on. In the 75th minute, Hudson Valley’s Demoner tallied the final goal off of a cross from Alicia Tirelli, heading in her own rebound after Henderson had made the initial save.
The result brings the Rough Riders record to 1 win and 1 loss (3 points). The team now heads in to a tough stretch where they will be on the road for their next five games. The Long Island Rough Riders women’s team will return home on June 19th to host the North Jersey Valkyries at Cy Donnelly Stadium in South Huntington.
For full game stats and box score please visit: http://w.league.uslsoccer.com.
Article by Jeff Gordon & Jonathan Bennett
