Ranftle, Losco lead Hauppauge over Ward Melville

Jen Porretto stood behind the cage, biding her time in the final minute of Wednesday morning's non-league girls lacrosse game between Hauppauge and Ward Melville.

When Porretto saw what she wanted - Ward Melville's defense moving into double coverage against her - she flipped the ball to Taylor Ranftle, who buried the shot with 25 seconds remaining to give Hauppauge a two-goal lead. Samantha Losco won the ensuing draw, getting the ball to Ranftle, and the Eagles ran out the clock on a 9-7 victory in the season opener for both teams.

The well-orchestrated goal provided some needed insurance for Hauppauge, but Porretto and Ranftle thought it was the game-winner. The scoreboard at Ward Melville had gone out with 17 minutes remaining in the second half and the teams tied at 5.

"I didn't know how much time was left," said Porretto, who had two goals and two assists. "I asked the ref earlier and there were seven minutes left. I knew it was a short time, so I just fed Ranftle the ball."

Added Ranftle, who scored four goals: "We thought it was tied up."

Seven minutes earlier, Porretto scored what turned out to be the game-winner when she put the Eagles ahead 8-5.

Not knowing the score was forgivable. There was a flurry of action after the scoreboard went out. Porretto scored to put Hauppauge ahead 6-5 with 10:05 remaining, and Christine Rienzo extended the lead to two. Porretto scored the eventual-game winner with 7:59 remaining.

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Ward Melville controlled possession for most of the remaining minutes. Lizzy Rullan scored to cut the deficit to two with 7:28 left, and Jess Liberty scored off a free position with 4:48 left to make it 8-7.

Hauppauge led 4-2 at halftime behind nice defensive play and two goals from Ranftle. The cold and rain added to the lack of scoring.

"It's hard," Ranftle said. "Everyone's sticks are wet, but it's the same problem for everyone."

The victory was important for the young players from Hauppauge, a Class B team from Division II. Ward Melville is a Class A school from the larger Division I.

SEE PHOTOSHauppauge 9, Ward Melville 7

"To start 1-0 is awesome," Porretto said. "It's big. They're pretty high ranked and we're only going to get better."

Added Ranftle: "We're an underdog and no one really thinks anything of us. We're a young team, but we should be good . . . We should be good for the next few years."