The Johnston Lightning Youth All-Girls U 14 team entered their third indoor soccer contest with a record of 1-1 and were hoping to get in the win column as they competed against Pawtucket on Nov. 22 at Team Works in Warwick.

However, within minutes of the start of the contest, Pawtucket lit the scoreboard first and continued to fire in goal after goal, racking up a comfortable lead of 5-0 by the end of the first half.

"We are missing a couple of girls," Head Coach Stacie Delos pointed out.

Delos also coaches another all-girls U-12 soccer team and has been coaching youth soccer for a number of years.

Her daughter Savannah Delos served as the first half goalkeeper and had many good saves as Pawtucket kept her on her toes.

As the second half got underway, Assistant Coach Joe Monti's daughter Elizabeth guarded the net.

For most of the second half, Pawtucket kept Johnston at bay by not only maintaining their firing offense but also adding another three goals to their already mounting score.

However the contest was not a complete shutout for the Johnston Lightning girls as Heather Desrochers scored two goals within the last minutes of the game - the only two goals for the Lightning team.

The final score was Johnston 2, Pawtucket 8.

Four days later, the Lightning girls were not dwelling on their disappointing loss but looking forward to competing against the Warwick Fire Fighters in their fourth game and hoping to make up for their earlier deafeat.

Once again, Elizabeth Monti guarded the net for the Lightning girls.

First to draw blood in this game was Johnston's Alexia Medici with an assist from Brittany Tutalo.

Johnston scored again with a goal from Savannah Delos; however, they were still trailing going into the second half as Warwick booted in three goals.

There was no rest for Savannah Delos as she stepped into the goal for the second half.

Determined not to post a loss, Johnston tightened their defense and kicked their offense up a notch; Heather Desrochers tied the game with an assist from Elizabeth Monti.

That was the end of scoring, though, as neither team could outmaneuver each otherís tight defense and goalkeepers.

Final score: Johnston 3, Warwick 3.

"We pulled together as a team," said Delos.

The U-12 girls play again this coming Saturday at noon at Team Works.