Hannah Ackerman nets 2 goals in Smithtown East’s win
The Smithtown East field hockey team sent off their six seniors in the best way possible in the regular season finale — with a win.
With a 3-1 victory over visiting Sachem North on Thursday, the Bulls finished the regular season with an 11-3 record in Suffolk I.
Sophomore Hannah Ackerman led the Bulls with two goals, while senior Kyra Dalli made two assists, setting her career high in points (23).
Ackerman, who recorded her second career multi-goal game, said the intensity of the game was really high.
“I think both teams really wanted to win,” she said. “It was very important to both teams. The win means a lot to us because moving forward, we’re really hoping to get far into playoffs and we’re really going to miss our seniors next year, so we’re just trying to get as far as we can.”
Sachem North opened the scoring with a tip-in goal from Victoria Taylor off an assist from Isabella Lorenzo on a drive up the field at 28:12 of the first half.
Less than eight minutes later, Ackerman tied it with her first goal off a corner with an assist from senior Amanda Funaro at 20:45. In the second half, junior Bella Costa scored to give the Bulls a 2-1 lead, then Ackerman notched her second of the game with 1:45 remaining.
“Today was a great game,” coach Ann Naughton said. “I’m very proud. Number one, it was our senior day and our girls definitely stepped up.”
Smithtown East goalkeeper Ava Quick made two saves, while Sachem North’s Grace LaRocco had four stops.
“I think this win was really important going into playoffs,” Funaro, whose assist also eclipsed a career high point total, said. “I feel like we needed this to boost us and show us that we can beat good teams. I think we knew we had it in us, but seeing it out on the scoreboard really meant a lot.”
Sachem North (11-2) will face Eastport-South Manor on Friday to end their schedule. Both Smithtown East and Sachem North have made the playoffs, which begin next week. The Bulls, who have made two semifinal appearances in the last three years, will be waiting to hear who they will face in the first round.
“Going forward, playoffs is a whole new season, and we’re going to prepare for whoever we have to play and enjoy the moment,” Naughton said. “This is what we’ve worked for since August, so we’re very excited.”
