The Auburndale Dragons advanced to the Waldbaum's Cup semifinals after defeating the Farmingdale Flash, 5-2, Sunday morning.
The Dragons jumped in front on 15 minutes when Katie McPhillips sent an exquisite pass through the middle, and Danielle Magnozzi flashed past the opposing defense before dispatching a deft angled finish under the keeper. Moments later she used her lightning speed and fantastic ball control again to give the Dragons a two-goal advantage.
The Flash were far from finished though, and came back to cut the lead in half three minutes before the half.
After Farmingdale equalized in the 35th minute, Katie charged through the middle in determined fashion, and unleashed a bullet, which deflected into the net and the Dragons had once again retaken the lead. The Flash pushed for the equalizer, but were denied by defenders Kristen Pulley and Deanna Lucci. Celeste Trevellini was as competent as ever between the posts. Sabrina Blaskovic and Ali Crocitto ran themselves into the ground, and made some vital interceptions, when they were called upon.
Danielle added two more goals in the second half to lead the Dragons to the semifinals, where they will face the Massapequa Pride, which defeated the NHP Lady Lynx, 4-3, in a quarterfinal last week.
On Saturday, the Dragons traveled to New Hyde Park to take on the Lynx and came away with a come-from-behind 3-1 victory.
After falling behind in the 19th minute, Gina Giraldi equalized for Auburndale four minutes into the second half. Katie followed by lobbing a corner kick past the New Hyde Park goalkeeper and Amberly Cabral added a third to lead the Dragons to an important road victory.
