Michaela Bruno, Garden City repeat as LI Class B field hockey champs
From left, Garden City team captains Sabrina Milone #98, Olivia Giarraputo #29, Michaela Bruno #1 and Kelly Aneser #25 accept the championship plaque after they defeated Miller Place 2-0 in the Long Island Class B championship game at the Dowling Sports Complex ion Nov. 8, 2015. Credit: Daniel De Mato
Michaela Bruno is Garden City's first choice for taking a penalty stroke, but she's not often tasked with providing an insurance goal.
That's because the undefeated field hockey team usually doesn't need it -- their offense is arguably the best on Long Island, scoring early and often.
Bruno shot to the right side to make it a two-goal game with 5:11 left as Garden City beat Miller Place, 2-0, Sunday to claim the Long Island Class B title for the second year in a row.
"I couldn't look at the goalie," Bruno said of why she stood like a statue with her back to the cage before taking the stroke. "Every time, it's still nerve-wracking. It doesn't matter where I am or what game it is. I knew I had to finish it."
Garden City will face Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in a state semifinal at Maine-Endwell High School.
Emily Clarke struck first for Garden City (16-0). Her goal was on an extended-time penalty corner at the end of the first half. Clarke scored off an assist from Jennifer Medjid, who picked up the ball after Bruno sent it down low.
Goalie Ally Tarantino was invaluable for Miller Place (17-1) in a fast-paced and aggressive game. She had many clutch saves, including a kick save to break up a three-on-one with 11:40 left in the first half. She stopped Bruno a minute later.
Garden City had 14 corners, but often didn't even get a shot off because Miller Place beat it to the ball. Both teams played at midfield for much of the game, but Garden City took charge late. "Miller Place put up an amazing fight," Clarke said. " . . . I knew we could do it. We just had to put our whole heart into it."
Added Garden City coach Diane Chapman, "I'm very proud of our girls to be able to rise above the skill level of the other team and get those two goals."
