Rori Sutkowski, Breanna Morrow lead Babylon's win
Babylon's Rori Sutkowski, far left, celebrates with teammates, from right, Breanna Morrow, Emily Lydakis and Erin Going after scoring a goal in the first half of a Suffolk Division III varsity field hockey game against Hampton Bays at Babylon on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2014. Credit: James Escher
They call themselves "the left side dream team," and together they helped make a dream come true.
In their final home game Thursday, seniors Rori Sutkowski and Breanna Morrow scored to lead Babylon's field hockey team to a 2-1 Suffolk Division III win over Hampton Bays (0-10). Babylon (4-6) honored its senior class at halftime.
"That is definitely a good way to end my last home game of my senior year," Morrow said.
And about that left side statement?
"I don't know what it is. We just click on the left side," Morrow said. "Most people hate the left side because it's not your normal stick side, but me being a natural lefty, I like to take it up the left side. And then I get it to Rori."
Morrow did not get credit for an assist on Sutkowski's goal, but her active presence at midfield helped set up a penalty corner 9:15 into the game. Sutkowski corralled a loose ball off that corner and scored.
"I was just hoping to have a really good game because it was our senior game," the forward said. "It just felt really good, and it kind of started us off on a good note."
Babylon had plenty of opportunities at the net but continually failed to convert. The Panthers totaled 14 penalty corners and 20 shots on goal. Hampton Bays goalie Ashlyn Von Bartheld made 18 saves.
By the time Isabella Quiros tied the score at 1-1 6:52 into the second half, Babylon already had taken seven penalty corners. The Panthers continued to push the ball into Hampton Bays territory, and it was just a matter of time before a shot would find the back of the net.
With 12:46 left, Morrow took a pass from Emily Lydakis and nailed the winner from the left side.
"After they scored that first goal and it was tied, we just had to bear down and get it because it's our senior game," Morrow said.
Catherine York took over as Babylon's coach three seasons ago, during the freshman year of this senior class. She described the win, produced by a pair of seniors, as "bittersweet."
"For them to end on such a high note is great," she said. "I wouldn't want it any other way."
