Michaela Bruno's tiebreaking goal helps Garden City win Long Island Class B championship
Garden City's Michaela Bruno hits the ball in the second half during the Long Island Class B championship on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2014, at Cold Spring Harbor High School. Credit: Bob Sorensen
Michaela Bruno isn't much like her older sister, Alexandra -- in personality or field hockey playing style. Their parents will attest.
No, the younger Bruno is much more reserved, even shy at times. Alexandra, who graduated in 2012, earned accolades as a dominant scorer for Garden City. Michaela has become a ball-handling, pass-first midfielder.
Oh, but the sisters do have one big thing in common: "That shot!" teammate Taylor Gladd said, laughing. "That rocket shot."
It was the shot heard 'round Cold Spring Harbor on Sunday, when the ball smacked loudly against the back of the cage. Bruno hammered in the go-ahead goal 6:37 before halftime and the Trojans beat Rocky Point, 2-1, to win the Long Island Class B championship.
"Growing up playing with Alex, I tried to model my shot after hers," said Bruno, a junior. "I guess the hard shot runs in the family."
Winning, too, has become a family affair. Garden City (16-1) captured its ninth L.I. title in 10 seasons and will compete in the state semifinals Saturday at Maine-Endwell High School.
Nickie Sciulla opened the scoring for Rocky Point 6:42 in. It was the first time Garden City had trailed in regulation this season. "We were a little shaken up by that because that's unusual for us," Gladd said. "But we got it back right away."
The tying goal came from an unlikely source: a defender. Morgayne Rix scored a minute later. After inserting the penalty corner, she camped around the left post, collected a rebound and pushed it into the near corner.
"I hug that post like it's my job," Rix joked. "Being a defender in lacrosse and field hockey, those scoring chances don't come often, so I want to capitalize."
She then got back to her day job, anchoring a Trojans defense that allowed only two more shots on goal. Gladd and Shannon Tierney also were superb defensively, and Bruno and Isabel McKeown created several scoring chances. But Olivia Accardi, with 20 saves, was spectacular for Rocky Point (15-5).
Then Bruno struck. On a corner insert from Rix, there was a designed pass-or-shoot option for Bruno and, with an opening atop the circle, the choice was clear: launch!
"As a freshman, I got hit in the leg by one of Alex's shots and it left a mark for weeks," Rix said. "I've also been hit by Michaela's. It's not pleasant."
The ball would attest.
