Abbate helps Northport to soccer win
Northport midfield Kristi Abbate #9 moves the ball into the Connetquot zone as Dana Badala #18 gives chase. (Sept. 21, 2011) Credit: George A. Faella
With nothing but an open field in front of her, Northport's Kristi Abbate advanced with ease, running up the left side and firing a shot on goal once she got inside the box.
"I saw open space and it helps with everyone moving around," Abbate said. "The team creates a space for me. It's a group effort."
The group effort paid dividends as Abbate was one of three players to score for Northport in the Tigers' 3-1 victory over League II rival Connetquot in Suffolk girls soccer Wednesday at Connetquot.
"I think that's the danger of our team: the depth that we have," Northport coach Aija Gipp said. "You can't mark one player because everybody on that field can put the ball in the back of the net and feed another player."
Natasha Albaneze tapped in a loose ball after a scramble in the box in the 10th minute to put Northport on the board. Cortney Fortunato's corner kick bounced around in front of the goal and Kristin Desmond fired a shot off the left post before Albaneze scored.
"I just finished leaving my run to head it," Albaneze said. "[Desmond] kicked it off the post and I toed it in there."
Fortunato scored just a little more than two minutes later to give the Tigers a 2-0 lead. Kelsey Kearns slid a through pass to Fortunato, whose hard-angle shot from the right side found the back of the net.
Kearns made several nice plays in the midfield for the Tigers and nearly scored on three occasions, the closest coming on a shot off the post in the 48th minute.
Abbate's goal in the 54th minute gave Northport a 3-0 lead but considering the history between the teams, no lead was secure.
Northport forward Rosy Hayes called Wednesday's game "personal" because of the back-and-forth nature of the rivalry with Connetquot. The teams traded victories last season.
"Since I've been a freshman this has been one of the biggest games for us so it's great to feel on top," Hayes said.
Maria Raimondi scored on a cross from Emma O'Donnell in the 74th minute for Connetquot.
