The Commack Blasters hosted the Farmingdale Falcons in the second round of the 2008 State Cup Open Competition following first round byes for both teams. Under cloudy skies with temperatures in the middle fifties at Commack High School, both teams were executing well in an effort to move into the Elite Eight Quarterfinal round. The Commack Blasters rebounded from surrendering an early Farmingdale goal and captured the match with a 2-1 comeback victory.

The Blasters debuted a 3-4-3 format against Farmingdale with Jen, Alyssa, and LB anchoring the defense in front of Steph who was playing the match with a potentially broken finger. Midfielders included Meghan, Taryn, Nicky, and Carly. The forward line opened with Katie, Liz, and Ashley. Against this formation, Farmingdale came out hungry and played a high tempo offensive attack which led to a fifth minute corner kick. That corner was deflected in the six yard box and walked into the net for a 1-0 Farmingdale early lead. Commack slowly regained balance in the attack over the next ten minutes and the 3-4-3 began to yield benefits as defensive splits and outside attacks were pressuring the Farmingdale defensive four. In minute twenty-seven, Nicky's set piece from twenty-two yards was neatly headed home by Liz to level the score at one. The lead was almost increased four minutes later as Taryn's header went over the crossbar. Campy rotated into the 3-4-3 defense with Katie G., Kiersten, Saulty, and Meredith (stomach ailment) in the midfield and forward spots during the opening half that closed at 1-1.

The second stanza opened with good pressure from Commack. In the tenth minute, LB picked up a yellow card in a tangle with a Farmingdale player while Farmingdale picked up a yellow in the following minute for goalie interference. Chippy play might have followed, but both teams focused on their execution rather than retaliation from that point forward. In the minutes that followed, Liz missed a shot inside the six yard box, Carly and Taryn sent strong shots into the box that were saved, and Katie struck a cross that managed to snake its way all the way across the field without getting touched. The twenty-fourth minute was the tie-breaker as Nicky picked up her second assist in the contest, feeding Ashley for a goal just inside the right post for a 2-1 lead. For the remaining twenty minutes, Commack shifted back into a 4-4-2 formation. In the thirty-first minute, Ashley's shot was a crossbar affair and Saulty's heads-up follow shot was just saved. Defensive first touches were strong in the final ten minutes as Commack thwarted any attempts from Farmingdale to get attacks into the offensive zone. As the final whistle blew, both teams had provided a very entertaining match for all of the parents and fans in the Commack High School stands.

With the win, the Commack Blasters advanced to the quarterfinals with a match against the Hicksville Storm planned for either Saturday, May 3rd or Sunday, May 4th in Hicksville.

Coaches in attendance at this match included representation from LIU/CW Post University and Rider University.

Date: April 27, 2008     Venue: Commack High School - Commack NY