The Bronx Irish Soccer League played the semifinals for the League and the Shield championships Saturday in some of the most competitive matches of the season.

Dr. Gillbert’s was able to defeat a surging Katie’s Cottage by a score of 1-0, despite starting the game with only nine players. Tina Cressent scored off of a beautiful cross from Jeanine Rynne to seal Gillbert’s victory. Gillbert’s will defend it’s regular season championship against Velocity on December 2 . . .

VELOCITY scored a thrilling 1-0 win over Ned Devine’s in the other semi. Ned’s were hoping to gain some silverware this season, after narrowly losing out as league winners to Dr. Gillbert’s. They were out in force to gain a place in the final.

Ali Leyden made outstanding saves in the Ned goal. Sue Bennet was unlucky with her strikes on goal. The Pennell sisters fought hard, as did the whole Neds team.

Overall it was a very exciting game, right up to the very end with three minutes to go in extra time, and a Velocity corner kick to the head of Erica Barth.

Barth placed the ball in the top corner of the net. No one could stop it. Velocity move forward to finals against Dr. Gillbert’s and Ned’s will have to wait until next year . . .

DOCS 2 had a 3-0 win over Kelly Ryan’s. Although Ryan’s only had nine players it was still a good game played by both teams.

Docs scored early into the game, when Teresa Doyle received a pass from Jen Knoblich, set up and kicked it beyond the reach of the goalie. Later in the half, Knoblich dribbled around the Kelly Ryan’s defense and got off a lovely shot to put Docs up 2-0.

Ryan’s countered with a few attacks of their own, but Doc’s managed to hold them off. Mary Clancy sealed the victory with a well struck shot from the left wing in the second half of the game . . .

In another tight game that went into overtime, Parlours was able to defeat Harps 3-2 to earn a shot at the Shield Championship against Docs2. Lia Buffa had a strong match for Harps, scoring both of their goals.

Parlour’s offense was led by goal scorers Wendy Hollander, Joelle Gozlan-Anderson and Miss Gregory. Parlour’s keeper Susan Kistler had a strong match in the net.