By STEVE SINISKI
Neither team was able to mount much of an offensive attack through the first 60 minutes, not surprising from an East Meadow standpoint given the strength of its overall defense. It had recorded three consecutive shutouts prior to the Farmingdale game, and goaltender Brittany Anghle had stopped 42 shots during the stretch.
The Dalers finally broke through with 15 minutes to play in regulation and tacked on another score just five minutes later to earn the 2-0 victory. "We were pushing up trying to get the equalizer and they [added the second goal]," Lady Jets coach Matt Pedicini said, noting adjustments that were made to try and jumpstart his offense. "There weren't a lot of scoring opportunities for either team, and they are always similar games that come right down to the end."
Simply earning a spot in the semifinal round was a huge step for East Meadow, which had to withstand a sudden death shootout against No. 6 Oceanside on Nov. 1. The 8-7 decision wasn't finalized until Brittany Hess blasted her shot by Sailors goaltender Danielle Gura. Shooting second, Hess had already witnessed Anghle get a piece of Oceanside's initial sudden death attempt.
"It was one of the most exciting games I've ever been involved in as a player or coach," Pedicini said. "The sudden death was nerve-wracking."
Anghle, an eighth-grader in terms of academics, played like a senior in holding the Sailors scoreless through 80 minutes of regulation and 40 minutes worth of overtime play.
"It was an absolute maturation process," Pedicini said. "She gained a whole lot of belief."
In the first round of penalty kicks, each team sent five shooters to the penalty box, and the dueling goaltenders each stopped one attempt. Hess, Brittany Walsh, Joanna Constantinou and Cally Chakrian all converted their shots. The second round also ended in a deadlock (3-3) as Amanda Horvath, Courtney Gross and Gillian Gross scored on their attempts for East Meadow.
"The [team] was on Cloud Nine, and there energy was not to be contained," Pedicini said of the thrilling win and strong close to the regular season, which also included a 2-0 victory over Massapequa on Oct. 24, at the time unbeaten in Conference play.
Though Hess ultimately became the hero on the offensive side of the field with her pair of penalty kicks against Oceanside, it was steady play on the backline that truly helped her earn All-County honors. The senior was one of seven Lady Jets who garnered individual awards. Walsh, Chakrian, Anghle, Courtney and Gillian Gross and Taylor Jensen were also recognized.
"Seeing eigth-graders scoring varsity goals and play net and soak it all up was great," Pedicini said, noting the impact his first-year junior-varsity coach, Lisa Gegerson, has had. "It was a wild ride, but we're looking forward to next year."
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