Carey seeks playoff berth

Posted

For the second consecutive year, the Carey girls’ soccer team broke out of the gate like thoroughbreds, running off eight consecutive wins to start the season, and appeared to be the team to beat in Nassau Conference AB-4. 

However, the Lady Seahawks, who are seeking to secure their second consecutive playoff berth, have hit a couple bumps in the road, losing two of the past three games, including a 4-2 road loss to Roslyn, last Friday afternoon. Juniors Brett Robison and Mackenzie Nyitray accounted for Carey’s two goals.

Despite the recent struggles, Lola Intagliata, in her 14th season as coach at Carey, is optimistic that a league title and playoff berth are still within reach. “I believe in the girls and they believe in one another,” Intagliata said. “I have a lot of confidence in this team. They’re driven to win the league and to make the playoffs. It’s all about how we perform. When we pass the ball well, and play as a team, we’re very hard to beat.”  

After sweeping through their non-league schedule with wins over Mineola, Sewanhaka, Division, and Glen Cove, the Lady Seahawks got goals from Nyitray and junior Rebecca Vilchez in a 2-1 win over Oyster Bay in the conference opener.

In the first meeting with Roslyn, Carey picked up a dramatic 4-3 victory. Robison, who had a pair of goals and an assist, scored with five minutes to play to give the Lady Seahawks the comeback victory. Junior Allison Bustamante’s goal tied the score moments earlier.

Bustamante, who missed all of last season with a knee injury, has been the go-to girl for Carey. Her first touch skill is exceptional, and her ability to accelerate leaves opponents in the dust. Bustamante’s 15 goals lead the county. 

Nyitray and Bustamante are terrific complements for each other. Nyitray, who is the quicker of the two forwards, is a highly-skilled, aggressive player. Nyitray has eight goals and four assists for the season.

Captain Kelly Flanagan, one of just three seniors on the roster, got her first tally of the season when she headed the ball into the net off a corner kick from Bustamante to give Carey a 4-3 win over Great Neck South. Eighth grade keeper Gabriella DiVito had seven saves to earn the win.

Carey (9-2-0 overall, 5-2-0 in conference play) has been solid on defense at times. The Lady Seahawks have held opponents to one or fewer goals in four matches. Senior captains Francesca Cozza, a four-year varsity player, and Patricia Curtin, an All-County honoree as a junior, lead the defensive unit. 

Robison, an All-Conference recipient as a sophomore, has six goals and three assists. Juniors Shannon Giddens and Christina Acquafredda both have earned praise from Intagliata for their play. 

The Lady Seahawks close at their home schedule when Wheatley comes to town this Friday, Oct. 17 at 4:30 p.m. Wheatley handed Carey its first loss when the teams met in September.