The Millstone United Cyclones U-9 girls travel soccer team continued their impressive run with two recent wins on their home field. On Oct. 14, the Cyclones won 2-0 over the Wall Riptide. Leading the offensive attack were midfielders Katie DiFrancesco, Alexa Guadagno and Alyssa Sloane, along with striker Sydney Regina.

With only 12 minutes left in the first half, DiFrancesco made a run down the right wing, while tapping a shot within the lower right-hand pocket of the net.

The Cyclones continued to control their passing lanes and kept pressure on the front end of the field. Completing the offensive lineup were midfielders Kiera Murphy and Mallory Keefe, along with Molly Robinson and Becky Paglia. With 15 minutes remaining in the game, Regina launched a shot from the center of the field.

Providing a wall in the backfield were Meghan Whitney, Julia Alves and Sydney Cummings. The Cyclone defense were able to keep the Riptide current on the outside, while scrambling back to contain any movement within the box. Playing well in goal were Becky Paglia and Molly Robinson.

This past Sunday found the Cyclones on their home field against the East Windsor Tigers. Confining the Tigers to their cages was the Cyclone defense of Sydney Cummings, Mallory Keefe and Kiera Murphy.

Ensuring the shutout was Molly Robinson, who bravely held the clawing Tigers at bay with countless charges out of the cage, and at least a half dozen saves.

After a flurry of hard shots taken within the box, Regina scored with 18 minutes in by snapping a tight shot into the low, left corner of the net to make it 1-0. Although the girls headed into the second half with a narrow margin, they quickly capitalized on their versatile players and frequent substitutions. Midfielders Meghan Whitney, Katie DiFrancesco and Julia Alves tirelessly moved the ball into the attack zone, opening up a shot for power forward Alyssa Sloane; with 40 minutes into the game, she relentlessly pounded the net for a shot that skipped across the goal line to finalize the score at 2-0.

Next week brings the Marlboro Firestars to the Cyclones Arena.

UFA 40 played at home against Jackson, and within 15 minutes of the start were down 1-0 after failing to clear their defensive area on a simple play.

Shortly after, sweeper Alan Nicholls gave up an indirect free kick on an unintentional handball. From the ensuing kick taken from the edge of the arc, Jackson went up 2-0.

The second half saw a big improvement; UFA controlled the play and were quickly back in the game as Peter Tatninov got a goal to bring the home side into it.

In the 70th minute, Amaro Pereira powered home a penalty kick to tie things up after a Jackson defender had handled in the box. Unfortunately, they couldn't hang on, as the visitors got the winning goal with three minutes remaining.

Despite a late goal-line scramble where Dan Caruso had several attempts foiled, the game ended with the home side losing a very closely contested match. Next week UFA is at home again to Howell.

In probably their best overall game of the season, the Allentown Strikers U10 travel team bested their opponents from Toms River, 4-1, in front of a large home crowd.

In usual fashion, the Allentown defense, led by Hal Shaw, Jaret Williams and Kyle Lubeski, played a tight game and allowed the visiting team very few quality chances. On the other side of the field, the Allentown offense came alive with four goals. Forward Connor Ennis scored three goals for the home team on assists from Andrew Bardwil and Jake Kohler while Williams scored unassisted on a direct kick from 35 yards out. Next week the Strikers take on the Wall Township Vipers at home at 3 p.m.

After three weeks of losses, the Allentown Xtreme U-11 boys soccer team found a way to win again. The boys played at home this past Sunday against the Middletown Freedom. The Xtreme started off strong when midfielder Brody Zauner had give-and-go with Will Sjaastadt and sent cross to Louis Tonga that nearly found the net. The Freedoms keeper made a great save.

Allentown kept up the pressure. Twenty minutes into the first half, Middletown placed a ball over goalkeeper Josh Samuels to make it 0-1 at the half.

Ten minutes into the second half, the Xtreme tied it up. A direct kick by stopper Kevin Primich went to the six. Sjastaadt intercepted it and found the net. A few minutes later, the Freedom had a chance to go ahead. The Xtreme's second-half goalie, Eric Sullivan, came up with a huge save to keep it tied.

With time running out, the Xtreme was awarded a penalty kick that was saved by Middletown's keeper. Just as it looked like the game would end in a 1-1 tie, Allentown was given a direct kick from 35 yards out. Primich again sent a ball to the six. The ball bounced around and eventually found the foot of Jake Alessi, who found the goal. Allentown would go on to win 2-1 and moved up to third place with four games left in the season. It was a great effort and a comefrom behind win.

Jim Tafel's Street Sense, who will be one of the favorites for the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic - Powered by Dodge, arrived safely at his Monmouth Park barn at 6:15 a.m. Friday after a van ride from Churchill Downs.

With trainer Carl Nafzger watching the colt's every move, Street Sense settled into his stall and rolled in the new straw bedding. The Kentucky Derby and Travers Stakes winner, looked alert and relaxed when he got his bath a few hours later.

Nafzger said Street Sense would take it easy the remainder of Friday, and then walk under the shedrow on Saturday. The Street Cry colt would get his first look at the Monmouth track when he galloped Sunday morning. He was scheduled to gallop again on Monday, and then have his final breeze on Tuesday with regular rider Calvin Borel up.

"He shipped well and he looks great," Nafzger said. "Barring any unforeseen circumstances (weather), he'll breeze Tuesday morning."

The trainer said that Lady Joanne, his entrant in the $2 million Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Distaff, was slated to arrive on Wednesday by van from Kentucky. To our readers

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