Newman's clutch goals lead SWR girls lacrosse win
Shoreham's Kaitlyn Brosco (10) (1 goal, 1 assist in the first half) is marked by Rocky Point's Kara Mupo (5) (3 goals in the first half) as she crosses midfield in the first half. (May 5, 2010) Credit: Photo by Joseph D. Sullivan
Chelsey Newman provided this year's moment.
In each of the last three seasons, there was a distinct instance when Shoreham-Wading River coach Bob Vlahakis knew his team was ready for the stretch run and playoffs. Each season resulted in a state title.
The senior midfielder scored the tying and winning goals in a stretch of 1:24 in the second half last night as the three-time defending state Class C champion Wildcats defeated previously undefeated Rocky Point on the road, 9-7, in a Suffolk Division II girls lacrosse game.
"We look to this game all year," Newman said. "Our schools are only 10 minutes away and we all know each other. There was a lot of pressure to take it."
With 10:56 remaining in the game and the score tied at 7, Newman was awarded a free-position shot. She was unsuccessful on her first attempt, but was given another opportunity because a Rocky Point player entered the circle before the whistle. Newman capitalized, firing in a bounce shot for what proved to be the winning goal.
"We had confidence the whole time," Newman said. "We were working better and better in the second half."
After Kait Brosco (three goals) pulled Shoreham-Wading River (10-0) within 7-6 with 12:47 left in the game, Newman tallied her first goal, a bounce shot from in front of the cage, to tie it at 7.
Said Vlahakis: "We haven't had that defining moment this year, and we had to get ready at some point. We rose to the occasion."
Erin McMullan made three of her five saves, including two on free-position situations, late in the game to preserve the lead.
Kara Mupo (game-high four goals) gave Rocky Point (10-1) a 7-5 lead with 13:20 to play, but that was the last goal the Eagles would score.
Jen DeVito tallied three first-half goals for SWR, the last coming on a free-position attempt 7:14 before the break to give the Wildcats a 4-3 lead.
SWR won 16 of the 18 faceoffs in the game, but Rocky Point goalie Julie Nolan kept it from hurting the Eagles too bad as she made a season-high 17 saves.
Rocky Point coach Dan Spallina was ejected with 1:19 left after receiving his second yellow card for arguing a call. In all, there were nine cards given to both teams, seven in the second half.
Sarra Sounds Off, Ep. 15: LI's top basketball players On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," Newsday's Gregg Sarra and Matt Lindsay take a look top boys and girls basketball players on Long Island.
Sarra Sounds Off, Ep. 15: LI's top basketball players On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," Newsday's Gregg Sarra and Matt Lindsay take a look top boys and girls basketball players on Long Island.
