With the regular season left in their wake, the (2-5-1) Sonics and the (1-6-1) Rockets set sail into the JCC of Bayonne’s Indoor Soccer Sr. Division “Championship Tournament” playoff round. Both squads battled neck and neck throughout the bout with tenacious defenses setting the tone as Meghann Mock, Kyle O’Hara, Eric Orczykowski, and Chris Shaw “brickwalled” for the Rockets while Allen McComb, Jared Radil, Joshua Verzosa, Drew Radil, and James Johnson held the trenches for the Sonics. Stone walled at 0-0, the Rockets finally broke the deadlock as Chris Shaw volleyed a goal to goal scoring strike. Down 1-zip, halfway through the duel, the Sonics’ team captain James Johnson drilled a bullseye off an assist from Jared Radil making it 1 all. Like two prize fighters going toe to toe, the Rockets and Sonics teed off with Kevin Aguilar, Madison Neal Markowski, and Natallyah Teixeira firing haymakers for the Rockets while Brandon Ferreira and speedster Alejandro “See Ya” Cifuentes pounded hot shots for the Sonics. Inspite of the furious pace, both offenses came up empty forcing an overtime shoot out to advance to the championship round. O. T. started off as a goal tending showcase until the Rockets’ Natallyah Teixeira blasted in her first goal of the season. With the game on the line, the Sonics’ Brandon Ferreira answered with his first goal of the season tying the fray at two all to force a second overtime. With both teams geared up for the “sudden death” O.T. duel, once again it was the Rockets’ Natallyah Teixeira who stepped into the hero’s spotlight as Teixeira nailed the game winning net gem as the Rockets advanced with a 3-2 double overtime win. For the Sonics, their epic effort
earned them this year’s “Bronze Medal” and a standing ovation from the fans.