Carle Place girls soccer wins first Long Island championship in school history
Carle Place players celebrate their win against Port Jefferson during the LI Class C girls soccer final on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
The Carle Place girls soccer team made history on Saturday.
The Frogs captured the school's first-ever Long Island championship behind the strength of a seasoned group of seniors. Forward Alexandra Feit and midfielders Abigail Lyons and Amanda Leary accounted for five goals in the team's 7-1 victory against Port Jefferson in the Long Island Class C championship at Shoreham-Wading River.
"It’s honestly such a surreal moment," said Lyons, who started the scoring for Carle Place (7-4-2). "We knew this was the seniors last chance to get to the next level, so we took advantage."
Feit, who extended the lead to 3-0 following sophomore Paige Selhorn’s goal, said Saturday's performance was the best of the season thus far.
"The way we moved the ball today was a lot better than we’ve done all season," she said. "To make school history felt incredible."
Heavy rain pelted the field throughout the game. Feit said the slippery conditions turned out to be advantageous for her team.
"We had to practice in these conditions a few times, so we were ready and were able to adapt quickly," she said.
The trio has been playing soccer together since kindergarten, part of the Carle Place Soccer Club, and credit much of their success to their longtime closeness.
"The three of us have such a good relationship," said Leary, who scored the team’s fourth goal off a corner kick. "Playing together since we were young has set us up for this moment."
Carle Place head coach Katie Bohack said the camaraderie between the captains is unique.
"These girls have been building their friendships and have been practicing with each other since they were 5," she said. "They mesh so well, and you can really see it on the field."
The Frogs will be competing in the regional playoff against the winner of Section I and IX for a spot in the state tournament. The day and time has yet to be determined.
"If we perform the way we did today, hopefully we could keep moving forward through regionals and into the state tournament," Bohack said.
The Royals’ lone goal was scored by ninth grader Maitreya Driscoll-Stremich and assisted by junior Abigail Rolfe with 13:36 left in the first half.
Center Moriches upsets Babylon in overtime: Lisabeth Gutowski scored the winning goal with 6:04 left in overtime to give No. 3 Center Moriches a thrilling 2-1 victory in the Suffolk Class B championships against No. 1 Babylon.
"I am so proud I was able to help the girls get through this game," Gutowski said. "This is one of the best moments of my life."
The Red Devils were leading, 1-0, on a goal by Emily Passaro in the first half, but Babylon’s Ashley Bell scored with 1:01 left in regulation to tie it up.
Jessica Rosen had a phenomenal night making 14 saves for Center Moriches (8-8-1). The Red Devils face Wheatley in the Long Island Class B championship at 11 a.m. on Saturday at Shoreham-Wading River.
