Sachem East girls soccer's Vanessa Puerta scores twice in victory over Sachem North

It took less than 10 minutes for Vanessa Puerta to do what Sachem East hadn’t done in its previous 80 minutes against Sachem North.

That’s putting the ball in the back of the net, something the super sophomore did in both halves to help Sachem East earn a 4-0 win against crosstown rival Sachem North Wednesday in Suffolk League II. The win comes 25 days after the two teams fought to a scoreless draw, one of just two times this fall Sachem East left without three points.

“Today, I feel like we had so much more urgency and energy to get the win and be the better Sachem,” Puerta said. “Everyone was locked in from the moment we left the school.”

East took only a one-goal lead into halftime, largely thanks to some superb saves by North goalie Ryan Rosario. The senior finished with six saves, including a point-blank stop against senior Lauren Phillips.

Still, Rosario and the North defense were under siege for too long without enough possession in front of them. East sophomore Isabella Galeas, who showed great composure in the midfield all afternoon, opened the scoring in the second half with a 20-yard shot into the bottom-right corner less than two minutes into the half.

Junior Camryn Goodman, who assisted Puerta’s first goal, followed up with the pass of the day. She perfectly timed a through ball behind both North center backs for Sarafina Scavos to calmly finish for the game’s third goal.

“Over the season we’ve all just gotten closer and closer,” Goodman said. “Growing up with each other, obviously that’s going to help.”

From pasta parties to attending football games together, Goodman highlighted the “unbreakable bonds” that the team shares. It showed in the win over North (6-5-2), and it shined in the celebrations following Puerta’s second score after the forward fired a shot from 30 yards.

“When I get the ball, I see open space,” Puerta said. “I just decided to rip one, and it curled top-right corner.”

Now that East (12-1-1) has avenged its only tie of the season it has a chance to do the same for its only loss of the year. After suffering a 2-1 loss to Ward Melville in September, both Goodman and Puerta know it’ll be a tough fight when the two sides meet Saturday morning.

But the dynamic duo agreed that Wednesday’s performance was their “best game yet,” something they’ll have to replicate and then some on Saturday.

“They’re going to be just as aggressive and just as hungry as we are for the game,” Puerta said.

“We got to bring it,” Goodman added. “We’re ready.”