Olivia Agunzo totals 6 TDs in Division flag football's win over Bellmore-Merrick
Olivia Agunzo #3, Division quarterback, second from right, gets congratulated by teammates after running for a touchdown during a Nassau flag football game against Bellmore-Merrick on Thursday, May 4, 2023. Credit: James Escher
Division is new to this girls flag football game, a first-year program in a second-year sport on Long Island. But the Blue Dragons have quickly established themselves as a force.
They built a 25-point cushion early in the second half Thursday, then withstood a stirring rally by defending Long Island champ Bellmore-Merrick and emerged with a 44-32 non-conference win at Mepham.
“It feels great,” senior quarterback Olivia Agunzo said after throwing for five touchdowns and rushing for a sixth. “We were looking forward to a game with real competition, good competition.”
The Blue Dragons have won five straight and are 8-1.
“We want to win Long Island championships,” Agunzo said.
Victoria Piscitelli isn’t shying away from that.
“I definitely think we have a great chance of doing that, absolutely,” said the Division coach, whose team leads Nassau II at 5-0.
Agunzo went 16-for-26 for 252 yards and had no interceptions. The St. Leo’s basketball commit also ran 10 times for 80 yards.
“Amazing,” Piscitelli said of her QB’s ability. “I know basketball’s her sport, but I love having her as my quarterback.”
It was 32-13 at halftime. Then Agunzo connected with Eleni Georgatos for a 60-yard touchdown on the first play of the second half to make it a 25-point game.
“Everyone plays their part,” Georgatos said of an offense averaging 28.2 points per game. “Everyone contributes . . . We have a well-balanced offense.”
Sofia LaSpina threw four interceptions, but Bellmore-Merrick’s senior quarterback also passed for 234 yards and five touchdowns and ran for 74 yards. She tossed an 8-yard touchdown pass to Margaret Casimano, a 5-yard TD pass to Hailey Kamler and a 3-yard scoring pass to Ella Maldonado.
Suddenly, it was 38-32. But Agunzo threw to Olivia Buckley for an 11-yard touchdown, good for the 12-point advantage with 4:19 left.
Division’s first-half highlights included a 19-yard touchdown reception and 4-yard interception return for a score by Natalia Sanchez and a 45-yard TD catch by Rebecca Petrellese.
“The first half, we looked defeated at times,” coach Matt Moody said after his Chargers fell to 5-4. “Our girls looked like they were just ready to give up and go home. So second half, I’m really proud of how the girls bounced back.”
