Eastport-South Manor makes team history

Eastport-South Manor made program history on Tuesday, advancing to the county final for the first time with an 8-7 win over Sayville in a Suffolk Class B semifinal.

Allison Gionta’s goal with a little under eight minutes remaining gave ESM an 8-3 lead over No. 3 Sayville. The Golden Flashes rallied late and Kimmy Marra’s score with 1:14 left pulled them within a goal. A Sayville foul on the ensuing draw resulted in the Sharks being awarded possession and ESM was able to run out the clock.

Gionta had three goals and two assists to lead the Sharks (14-3). Katie Meinecke added two goals, Angelica Fuccillo had a goal and an assist. Samantha Giacolone made nine of her 16 saves in the first half, including one on a tough bouncer off a free-position shot, and another on a breakaway with 13:09 left in the first half and ESM holding a 3-1 lead.

Emily Meier had four goals and an assist, Marra scored twice and Gianna Minogue made nine saves for Sayville (13-5).

Eastport-South Manor will face top-seeded and defending county champion Hauppauge at 5:30 p.m. on May 31 at the Dowling Sports Complex.