Fehmel gives SWR girls victory in OT

Wait a minute. To the charge that girls lacrosse is all pleasantries and daffodils -- a free-flowing, high-scoring game that frowns at physicality -- we've got evidence to the contrary.

Exhibit A: Shoreham-Wading River's 8-7 double-overtime thriller against Suffolk Division II rival Eastport-South Manor Wednesday.

There was tough defense, plenty of contact -- plus the accompanying whistles -- and the game, fittingly, was decided on Alex Fehmel's goal that followed a penalty.

The midfielder scored her third goal with 6.9 seconds left in the second overtime to lift the Wildcats (3-0). Fehmel got hit in the head on a crosscheck while going laterally inside the 10, setting up the free position. She charged in, eluded a defender, then fired from 5 yards -- a bouncer that just sneaked inside the left post.

"I didn't care how I got it in, I just wanted to win it right there," Fehmel said of the play.

As for what preceded it, "Good thing I wear a helmet," she added with a grin. Fehmel wears a thin, blue helmet that covers the top of her head. She's the only girl on the team with it, but Clare Blomberg plans to sport one when she returns from a concussion.

Fehmel's score ended a frenetic contest that had several players greet the Eastport turf and five penalty-aided goals.

SEE PHOTOSShoreham Wading River 8, Eastport 7 (2 OT)

"It was a big game for both teams and it got physical," SWR coach Mary Bergmann said. "Players were pushing a little more than usual and it got a little rough."

And a little tense. Dene' DiMartino's second goal tied the score at 7 with 3:54 left in regulation for the Sharks (1-2) and the teams exchanged possession four times during the frantic final 51 seconds before overtime.

The Wildcats had a 5-1 run to rebound from an early 4-2 deficit and led 7-5 before Dakota Mason's third goal with 4:48 remaining.

Swarming defenses and stellar play from the teams' eighth-grade keepers put a premium on goals. Shoreham defender Meghan King forced six turnovers and Lauren Daly made five saves (Lily Vail had two). Their Eastport counterpart, Sam Giacolone, had 12 stops.

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"The intensity was definitely up," SWR's Chelsea Delia said. "We played hard, but everyone kept their composure."

Marissa Kluber and Shannon Rosati each scored twice for the Wildcats. Rosati went down four times, once for several seconds, clutching her right leg.

"It's nothing," she said of the pain and the physicality. "That's the way to match up."