Isabella Blanco's goal in sixth OT gives Westhampton first LI girls lacrosse title
Westhampton's Isabella Blanco (56) gets ready to score the winning goal in the sixth overtime of the Long Island Girls Lacrosse Class B final against Garden City on June 5, 2022. Credit: Bob Sorensen
For Isabella Blanco and Westhampton’s girls lacrosse team, dreams do come true.
The junior defender dreamt that she would score a game-winning goal for her team in the playoffs.
“Ever since the start of the playoffs, I’ve been saying that I’m going to run it down the field, draw a foul and take my first shot of the season and win a huge playoff game,” Blanco said.
It played out exactly like that.
Blanco scored the winning goal on a free position shot in the sixth overtime of Westhampton’s 6-5 win over Garden City in the Class B Long Island championship Sunday at Stony Brook University. It marks Westhampton’s first Long Island title in school history.
Despite it being her first shot of the season, Blanco was confident in herself. “I said to myself, ‘This ball is going in the back of the net no matter what it takes,’” Blanco said.
Westhampton thought they had won the championship earlier, when Reilly Mahon found the back of the net in the second overtime. As Westhampton’s bench and fans stormed the field, the goal was waved off due to a crease violation.
“My stomach dropped when the ref signaled no goal,” said Mahon, who scored in the first half. “But we put it in the past and focused on getting the next one.”
Goalie Maya Farnan made two of her eight saves in overtime to help keep Westhampton’s dream alive.
“This team is so fun to play with,” said Farnan, a freshman. “I know I have a few years left, but for the seniors and everyone here supporting us, I wanted to win for them.”
She dueled with Amanda Grimes of Garden City (13-4), who made 16 saves including two in overtime and one at the end of regulation to extend the game.
Westhampton (13-6) trailed 4-2 with 14:04 left in regulation but scored three straight goals following a timeout to take a 5-4 lead. Then Kristen Hegarty scored with 1:18 left to tie the score at 5.
Westhampton has clinched its first county and Long Island championships this season and the road to its first state title begins in the semifinals against Queensbury of Section II at SUNY Cortland on Friday at 11 a.m.
“This is a special team,” coach Mary Bergmann said. “It’s really exciting that they get to experience so many firsts. I’m so happy for them.”
