Long Beach jumped out to a quick 4-1 lead, but The Sopranos scored three straight goals to tie the game at halftime. The gritty Long Beach squad would not be denied, however, and was able to pull away in the second half to keep its season perfect.
Kristie Moran, Christy Ambrosini, Caroline Hommel, Chloe Berkowitz and Grace Kelly all scored goals for Long Beach, which also had outstanding performances from Gillian Knauer, MaryAnn Raftery, Jennifer Sattler and Cleary Goodman. Kelly McManus provided solid goaltending for Long Beach, part of a total team effort.
Long Beach had actually clinched first place a week earlier, when the girls defeated Manhasset 11-4. In that game, Long Beach scored with a few seconds left in the first half to extend its lead to 7-3. The young stars then outscored Manhasset 4-1 in the second half for the convincing victory. Other highlights of the season included opening night, when Long Beach won back-to-back games, defeating South Huntington 11-3 and The Sopranos 11-5.
The team made its commitment clear at its July 12 game, when 17 of the 20 girls on the roster and a large contingent of parents braved monsoonlike conditions and the girls defeated South Huntington - which was supplemented by players from both Manhasset & The Sopranos - 7-4.
Kelsey McManus, a first-year player, had an outstanding season in goal for Long Beach, and the defense was led by Christy Ambrosini, Haley Birnbaum, MaryAnn Raftery, Stephanie Smith and Katie Sullivan. The midfield unit was headed by Kiera Carey, Rosie Corcoran, Emma Hamlet, Caroline Hommel, Kristie Moran and Victoria Sindone, while Chloe Berkowitz, Megan Gallagher, Cleary Goodman, Allison Kane, Grace Kelly, Shannon Kelly, Gillian Knauer and Jennifer Sattler formed a potent attack. Luke Hamlet, Ted Hommel and Gary Knauer coached the team.
The Maax Challenge is a girls' lacrosse tournament with four divisions: 7th/8th grade, high school junior varsity, high school varsity, and an open division.
"These are just great kids," Coach Hommel said. "They worked really hard and it paid off for them."
