Alyssa Sparks' penalty kick lifts Islip past Garden City in Class A championship
Islip teammates, from left, No. 7 Lyndsey Sparks, No. 12 Emma Baumbusch and No. 8 Mary O'Hara mob No. 14 Alyssa Sparks after she booted the game-winner in the penalty kick portion of the varsity girls' soccer Class A Long Island Championship against Garden City at Adelphi University on Saturday, November 7, 2015. Credit: James Escher
For many reasons, Alyssa Sparks was feeling quite nervous.
She's just a freshman, and she was taking the biggest shot in the history of the Islip girls soccer program.
"Coach told me I was here for a reason," she said. "There's my reason right there."
Sparks' goal in penalty kicks lifted Islip to a 4-3 shootout win over Garden City Saturday at Adelphi University to capture the Long Island Class A championship.
The score was 0-0 after regulation.
"The first thing I thought was that we made Islip history," Sparks said. "Islip has never made it to states before. I couldn't help but smile."
Another reason that her teammates are smiling? Cassidy Hock. Islip had lost twice before in penalty kicks during the LI championship and Hock was determined to snap that streak. After making eight saves in regulation and overtime, Hock made a diving stop in the second round of penalty kicks.
"We've been working so hard for this," Hock said. "It's amazing to finally live it."
After Garden City's first shot went wide right, Kayla Multer scored in the upper corner to give Islip a 1-0 edge. Hock then made a diving stop on a low liner.
Islip's ensuing shot hit the crossbar. Isabel Klatt then scored for Garden City, and Islip's Hanah Franco fired just inside the post to maintain the advantage. Garden City's Julia McGuire and Islip's Delaney Kissane then exchanged goals, sending Islip into the fifth round with a 3-2 advantage.
Kerry Defliese, whose shot at the end of the first golden goal overtime hit the crossbar as time expired, fired into the back of the net to keep hope alive for Garden City (12-2-2). Sparks then walked to the ball with a chance to make Islip history.
"I usually go bottom left but my coach told me that up top is working every time," Sparks said. "I listened and it worked."
Another reason? Emma Baumbusch, who played everywhere from stopper to outside defense to center midfield.
"No one would have expected it from this group but we have accomplished so much," she said. "I'm so happy."
Islip (12-2-1) advances to the Class A state semifinals Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at Tompkins-Cortland Community College.
"This has been a long time coming for this program," Islip coach Mike Reilly said. "But that being said, our goal is not just to go upstate, our goal each and every year is to win the state championship."There's reason to believe they can win it.
