Ciara Brown, Ghita Haouzi propel Hills West into Suffolk AA semis

Ciara Brown is a problem.

A problem for the opposing defense and goalkeeper. And a problem for Suffolk County coaches to game plan for.

When the Half Hollow Hills West senior sees an open field in transition, watch out.

Brown displayed her acceleration when finishing a run of more than 40 yards, easing her way past multiple midfielders and defenders with breakaway speed before scoring for No. 5 Half Hollow Hills West in its 3-2 victory over host No. 4 Eastport-South Manor in the Suffolk Class AA girls soccer quarterfinals on Monday.

Brown, who is committed to play at Auburn University, scored from 18 yards out to give Hills West a 2-0 lead with 14:00 left in the first half.

“It was all just, ‘Go,” said Brown of her run. “Any open lane, just go. It was to make sure we put away the first half. Anything that I could do, whether it’s a pass or a cross or me going in myself which happened, it was just a ‘go’ mentality.”

“She makes us able to score at any point,” coach Tim Harrigan said. “That’s what she turns us into. Anywhere on the field from any point, if she gets a step, I haven’t seen anyone that can catch her.”

Half Hollow Hills West (9-5) advances to play at top-seeded West Islip (15-1) in the Suffolk AA semifinals on Thursday at 6 p.m.

Ghita Haouzi gave Hills West the initial 1-0 lead after causing a turnover 40 yards away from the goal. She then used her speed and physicality to defeat two defenders and score from 10 yards out with 24:21 left in the first half. Haouzi placed the ball into the bottom left corner of the goal before being knocked to the ground, celebrating with her arms up and looking over at her teammates.

“[The defense] ended up almost catching up to me, but I knew I had to get it in the back of the net,” Haouzi said. “We wanted to start the first half really strong. We wanted to handle our business in the first half and that’s how we really started off.”

Haouzi slid a cross to Gale Kurland in front of goal to give the Colts a 3-0 lead with 9:55 left in the first half.

That was the score at halftime but Eastport-South Manor (10-5) was determined to come back. Jenna Vormittag sent a 40-yard free kick into the top left corner for a goal and Lily Gravina followed 23 seconds later with a goal to cut Hills West’s lead to 3-2 just over four minutes into the second half.

“I think it was a lack of concentration in those first five minutes,” Brown said. “I think it was a matter of saying, ‘Hey, this game is still going and Eastport doesn’t stop.’”

The Colts were able to regroup and keep Eastport-South Manor off the scoreboard for the remainder of the match. After being the preseason top seed, Hills West is excited for the challenge of meeting the postseason top seed.

“We’ve been training all season for this,” Haouzi said. “I think we can do it, we deserve it. They are definitely a tough opponent, it’s a tough challenge, but I know this team and I know how much we want it so hopefully we’ll get that win and move on.”

“We’re hyped,” Brown said. “They do give us a challenge, but we’re ready for it. Bring it on.”