Lacey Downey converts Emily Marino's pass for West Babylon's winning goal against Riverhead
West Babylon forward Lacey Downey shoots and scores against Riverhead in a Division I game, Wednesday, October 6, 2021 at Riverhead. Credit: George A Faella
Lacey Downey and Emily Marino do not need a GPS to find each other on the field.
"We have been playing together since middle school and always have a sense for where the other person is going to be," Marino said. "Lacey and I have been kind of that dynamic duo growing up and progressively have become closer with one another."
Downey and Marino linked up for a beautiful give-and-go goal with seven minutes remaining in the third quarter to break a tie at 3 and propel West Babylon to a 4-3 victory over host Riverhead in a Suffolk Division I field hockey match Wednesday. Downey (three goals, one assist) raced up the field and slid a pass to her right for Marino. Marino (one goal, two assists) passed it back in front of goal and Downey buried it.
"We always work on our give-and-goes together in practice and it was awesome to see us score on a play like that," Downey said. "We are a package deal. I could not do it alone."
The junior scored her first two goals within the first 10 minutes of the game to give West Babylon (8-2) a 2-0 lead.
Ellie Schultz got one back for Riverhead with a minute remaining in the first quarter to bring the Blue Waves (2-7) within 1. Rachel Rempe tied the score at 2 midway through the second quarter, but the Eagles answered quickly. Just three minutes later, Downey attempted a shot on goal that deflected to the stick of Marino, who scored for a 3-2 advantage.
Riverhead applied a ton of pressure to begin the second half and Schultz found the back of the net just five minutes in to tie the score at 3.
West Babylon stepped up its intensity on defense following Downey’s go-ahead goal and fought off two man-down situations in the fourth quarter.
"When we have the lead at the end of the game, we know we have to drop back and play more of a defensive role because at that point we are just trying to prevent them from tying the game," Downey said. "It’s no longer about trying to score goals."
Downey leads Long Island with 19 goals and 29 points and Marino has 16 goals and eight assists this season.
"They come prepared every day and have such a presence on the field," second-year head coach Amanda Glasser said. "It’s nice when girls are friends outside of the sport because it makes the play on the field that much smoother and easier."