Jacobson scores winner for Ward Melville

It was eerily reminiscent of Ward Melville's defeat last year in the field hockey state semifinals - a title defense at stake and numerous opportunities to put the game away squandered.

The difference Thursday was Sam Jacobson. The forward scored with 6:50 left in overtime to deliver the top-seeded Patriots a fourth consecutive Class A county crown in a 1-0 win over Sachem East.

"Just amazing," Kim Geiger said. After teammates had piled on top of Jacobson, Geiger hoisted her up.

"She's my hero!" she said.

She's their hero. On a fast break, Jacobson took a rebound of Callie Vitalo's shot and, from five yards to the left of the cage, slipped it inside the far post behind goalie Jordan Miller (seven saves).

"I just fired," said the senior, unable to keep from grinning between words. "I didn't even look at my stick . . . Biggest goal I've ever scored."

And boy, did Ward Melville (17-1) need it. The Patriots came up empty on 16 penalty corners and it seemed the longer the game went, the more likely No. 3 Sachem East (13-4) would unseat them.

SEE PHOTOSWard Melville 1, Sachem East 0

"Coach brings that game up a lot, the wasted chances and how we don't want that to happen," Abby Beltrani said. "It could've happened again, but Sam got the job done."

Lauren Tarantino, who doused coach Shannon Watson with cold water, made seven saves in her 12th shutout.

That the game was so close is a testament to the progress upstart Sachem East has made in two years. But Ward Melville, once more, was able to hold on. The Patriots will face Massapequa for the Long Island Championship 2 p.m. Sunday at C.W. Post.

"We graduate great players every year and they just keep stepping up," said Watson, who joked she'd get Tarantino back. "I can't ask for anything more."

SWR 2, Pierson/BH 0: The B/C small schools title game is little more than an exhibition - both teams advance to their respective L.I. title games regardless - but Shoreham-Wading River likes its bragging rights. "Hey, it's another championship," Cathryn Menarchem said. She scored in the 16th minute off a pass from Cali Lavey and Debi-Michelle Jantzen added a second-half goal to lead the Wildcats (18-2) to their fourth straight small schools title. Chelsea Delia made six saves in the shutout and Catherine Musnicki had 21 stops for the Class C champion Whalers.