Trombetta's goal wins it for Sachem East
Sachem East teammates congratulate Kaitlin Trombetta (standing, right) after scoring the only goal with under six minutes left in a Suffolk Class A semifinal game against Smithtown East. (Nov. 8, 2010) Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
It's stressed constantly by coaches: Passing is the key to scoring. Well, how's this?
Katie Trombetta inserted a penalty corner to Melissa McKevney, who crossed the ball to Jessica Caturano, who dished it to Jill Donodeo, who sent it to back Trombetta.
And, after a quick round of hot potato, Trombetta slapped it in with 5:55 left to give No. 3 Sachem East a 1-0 victory over Smithtown East in a Suffolk Class A field hockey semifinal.
"It was very impressive to watch," assistant coach Jenna Brocking said of the ball movement.
In addition to passing, the Flaming Arrows (13-3) have focused on defense and mental toughness. Both were on display against the second-seeded Bulls (12-5). Jordan Miller made three saves in the shutout.
Sachem East will face top-seeded Ward Melville, the three-time Long Island champs, in the final at 2 p.m. Thursday at Newfield. The Flaming Arrows lost to the Patriots, 3-2, in their last meeting.
"Playing them that close was a confidence boost for us," said Brocking, whose team was bumped in the semis last year. "We're progressing and getting closer to that level."
Ward Melville 1, Northport 0: Abby Beltrani scored off a corner feed from Sam Jacobson with 8:57 remaining to lift No. 1 Ward Melville over Northport, 1-0, in a Suffolk Class A field hockey semifinal. Fifth-seeded Northport became the first Suffolk opponent to hold the Patriots (16-1) to just one goal, but Ward Melville's defense and Lauren Tarantino (six saves) kept the Patriots in it long enough for Beltrani to deliver in the clutch.
"She gives everything she has," coach Shannon Watson said of Beltrani, who leads Long Island with 22 goals. "She made sure the ball went into the back of the net."
