Lexie Thompson, strong backline give MacArthur girls soccer the Nassau Class A crown

If you don’t allow any goals, it’s pretty difficult to lose a game. A simple concept but not so simple to execute. Unless you have an elite goalkeeper and a backline with incredible skill, athleticism and chemistry. Luckily for MacArthur, that’s exactly what the Generals possess.

Top-seeded MacArthur defeated No. 2 Garden City, 2-0, in the girls soccer Nassau Class A final at Cold Spring Harbor High School Saturday afternoon. It was MacArthur’s 14th shutout in 15 games as the Generals have allowed only one goal all season along with five straight shutouts.

Lexie Thompson had five saves and controlled the backline from the end line in the victory.

“There are no words, there really just aren’t,” coach Steve Costello said. “You’re in Conference A-I and then you play four playoff games and you allow one goal? How is that even possible? She’s ridiculous and it’s just a boost to your morale to have someone like that.”

MacArthur (13-0-2) advances to play the winner of East Islip/Shoreham-Wading River in the Long Island Class A championship/Southeast Regional Final at Berner Middle School Saturday at 1:30 p.m. Garden City finishes 13-3-2. MacArthur won its first county title since 2019.   

“It’s really indescribable,” Thompson said. “There’s no feeling quite like it. All the hard work we put in this season, it’s finally paid off and it just feels amazing.”

Thompson passes the credit for the team’s defensive success to everybody on the field, besides herself. The defensive unit, including Ava Angiuli, Hallie Bray, Caitlin Barry, and Meghan Wetzel, limited the scoring chances for the talented Garden City offense.

“It’s a perfect storm of an elite goalie and an elite backline,” Costello said. “It’s a perfect storm the defense. The best goalie anyone’s going to see in high school and a fantastic backline.”

            “Everybody works to get those shutouts,” Thompson said. “It’s not just me.”

            Kaitlyn Tung opened the scoring for MacArthur when she fielded a long kick at the 30-yard and made a touch to create a 1-on-1 opportunity with the goalkeeper. When the Garden City goalie charged toward her, Tung placed the ball to the bottom left corner and scored with 21:08 left in the first half.

“I knew the goalie was going to come step to me and I had to be ready to just play it one time,” Tung said. “There was no time to hesitate. I knew she was coming out and once I saw her come off her line, I just slipped it right past her.”

Hailey Metzger added the second goal with a 25-yard strike to the top-right corner of the goal with 16:51 left in the second half.

“We had to keep shooting,” Metzger said. “Our shots were really close and each person that took a shot on the field, we got so close. We just had to keep taking them so I took it and it went in.”

MacArthur would love to keep its shutout streak as the postseason continues buts as long as they win the game, the Generals are thrilled.

“It makes a win that much better when it’s a shutout,” Thompson said. “Keeping the shutouts and only allowing one goal, it’s a team effort but there’s nothing that feels better than keeping that up all season.”