Box Score Saturday, September 21st, the FIT Tigers played Suffolk CCC Sharks for
the first time this season. The Tigers knew the Sharks were
anticipating playing them after beating them twice in the 2018 regular
season and then again in the 2018 regional semi-finals.  The Tigers
spent a great deal of time perfecting their play before this game.
They were look forward to continuing their winning streak against the
Sharks.  The Tigers spent the morning mentally preparing themselves
for a tough, physical game. Even with transportation delays, the
Tigers began the first half calm and collected.  Captains Domenica
Romo, Sarah Iannella, and Gabrielle L'Insalata set the tone for the
game from the start.  With having past experience playing against the
Sharks, they stood their ground letting it known that the Sharks
weren't going to push and shove their way through the entire game.
Within the first five minutes the Tigers made their statement.  When
winger Gabrielle D'Elia fed L'Insalata a ball right through the back
line of defense.  L'Insalata used her speed to surpass the aggressive
defenders and, as always, she did not disappoint and scored the Tigers
first, and only goal.  After scoring, it was imperative that the
Tigers remained in control of the game.  Soon after one of the Sharks
had already received a yellow card for aggressive play.  Even with a
lot of discussion between Suffolk's players and the referee, he still
maintained control over the game, keeping all the players safe.  Only
a few minutes later, another yellow card was given to another Suffolk
player who did not take the first warning she received seriously.
With each and every foul the Tigers' intensity only increased as the
game continued on.  They were continuously passing their way through
Suffolk play after play.  The Tigers finished out the first half
strong and held their lead.

The coaches communicated their excitement to the Tigers at half time,
but made sure to keep each player in the right head space going into
the second half.  The last 45 minutes of the game would prove to be
crucial to the Tigers.  Center midfielder, Morgan Smith played her
best game yet, dominating the midfield with her ball control and
footwork.  The Tigers showed just as much patience in the second half
as they did in the first.  Approximately half way through the second
half, the Tigers strung together a beautiful sequence of passes to the
net.  After a shot was taken the Sharks' keeper attempted a save, but
dropped the ball.  Haley Tarazona was in perfect positioning to
capitalize on the dropped ball,  finding the back of the net.  The
goal was waved off by the referee, ruling the play unsafe for the goal
keeper.  While this was very discouraging for the Tigers, they did not
let it affect how they would play the rest of the game.  The defense
would fight through many injuries, and Mary-Addison Davis would yet
again prove her importance in the back line, shutting down any
opportunities the Sharks would have.  The Tigers finished the game
just as well as they started, notching their first win of the season.

The coaches couldn't be any more proud of their players, as they all
stepped up their game to get the win they deserved.  They look forward
to what's to come, and will use this week to heal their injured
players in preparation for their game against Nassau CCC.  That game
will be played Sunday, September 29th on their home field.