Hauppauge wins on Peragallo's goal
Hauppauge's Brenna Conover #17 hugs Stephanie Peragallo #8, right, after she scored a goal in the second half against North Babylon in Hauppauge. (Oct. 15, 2011) Credit: John Dunn
Stephanie Peragallo's teammates learned that trying to distract her is nearly as difficult as trying to defend her.
Despite the best efforts of her teammates, who danced and made faces at her from behind the camera, Peragallo didn't flinch as she did a television interview Saturday shortly after scoring the game-winning goal in Hauppauge's 2-1 win over North Babylon in League IV girls soccer.
She handled the interview as smoothly as she does a soccer ball when the game is on the line. With the score tied at 1, Peragallo took a feed from Keri McCarthy just outside the box, created some separation from the defender and fired a left-footed shot inside the far post with 4:05 remaining.
"I was aiming high because I knew the goalie had saved some shots of mine that were low," Peragallo said. "So I wanted to mix it up a bit."
The win had added significance for Hauppauge because it came during its fourth annual Kicks for Cancer event, which honors former student Courtney Tomkin, who passed away from brain cancer at the age of 17 in December 2008. In its first three years, the fundraiser has contributed $87,000 to the American Cancer Society and the Making Headway Foundation.
"It's an honor being able to participate," Peragallo said. "It feels good to score the game- winning goal regardless, but everything that's going on today makes it so much better."
Juliette Loccisano opened the scoring for Hauppauge 5:36 into the second half with a goal from 18 yards out. North Babylon (3-4) tied the game just over three minutes later. Kelsey Hart sent a cross to Emily Ude, who carried it to the front of the net and scored her seventh goal of the season.
Diana Poulin had five saves for Hauppauge and Kelly Heimerle had seven for North Babylon, including a beautiful diving stop on a direct kick by Peragallo early in the second half.
That stop helped preserve the tie until Peragallo broke through with her 10th goal of the season. Hauppauge improved to 8-0 and coach Jesseca Kulesa had a simple explanation for the team's success.
"Her name is Stephanie Peragallo," she said with a laugh. "I'm glad she's on my team and not the other team."
