Long Beach reaches win column

Three days after Long Beach dropped its conference opener to defending Nassau Class B champion Wantagh, sophomore Sarah Reznick put on a dazzling display of goaltending last Saturday to lead the Lady Marines into the win column for the first time in 2016.

Reznick made 16 saves, including a bunch from point-blank range, and juniors Katie Whelan (goal) and Siobhan Rafferty (assist) hooked up for the game-winning goal with 3:45 remaining as Long Beach held off Port Washington, 6-5, in a non-league matchup. Rafferty and eighth-grader Margaret Reznick had two goals apiece. Claudia Hanover made nine stops for the Lady Vikings, who had five different goal scorers.

“Sarah was just unbelievable,” Long Beach coach Rachel Ray said of her All-County goalie. “Port’s shot selection was very good. Sarah just stood up to them.

“We knew it was going to be a tough game,” she added. “We like playing the better teams in non-league to prepare us for the conference schedule. It’s nice to be 1-2 instead of 0-3.”

The Lady Marines, who reached the semifinals last spring before falling to Wantagh, opened the new season March 23 with an 11-6 non-league loss against Ray’s alma mater, Rocky Point, and then lost to Wantagh by the same score a week later. “We received a lot of praise after the Wantagh game,” Ray said. “They’re the defending champs and ranked No. 1. They’ve got three stars in the midfield and a top goalie, and I was happy with how we played. We just made a few mistakes they took advantage of.”

Reznick, who’s playing behind a defense with only one returning starter, made eight saves against Wantagh. She’s already verbally committed to the University of Florida. “The bigger the game, the bigger Sarah plays,” Ray said. “She’s just phenomenal in every area. She’s been playing like a senior since last year.”

Senior Chelsea Rotando anchors the backline and is a tough crease defender. “We need the defensive leadership she provides,” Ray said. “She’s been showing the younger players the ropes.” Freshman Daisy Williard is already thriving, the coach noted, and Paige Rogoff, the Valedictorian of the senior class, and junior Megan Sofield, have stepped into larger roles.

Ray said she’s excited about the deepest midfield she’s had since taking over the helm in 2010. Rafferty, an All-Conference selection, and Whelan, who’s aggressive as anyone on the team, will see time up front on attack but primarily operate in the midfield. They’ll also take faceoffs. “Siobhan runs the offense and everything looks effortless for her,” Ray said. “She’s a workhorse for sure.” Senior Caitlin Pyle runs well and is off to a strong start forcing turnovers and scooping groundballs, and senior Kaylee Callahan is an offensive-minded middie with an improved defensive game.

On attack, senior Caitlin Breglia is a fifth-year starter and a dynamic scorer who can take over a game. She was Honorable Mention All-County in 2015. “She’s so shifty and fun to watch,” Ray said.