Hope Breslin lifts Massapequa to second straight Nassau Class AA title
South Side's Kelsey Ford, left, and Massapequa's Hope Breslin battle for a loose ball during the first half. (Oct. 10, 2013) Credit: James Escher
In a scoreless game through 70 minutes, Massapequa still had hope.
Hope Breslin, that is.
The freshman broke a scoreless tie in the 71st minute when she got behind the defense and beat a diving Calhoun keeper. The Chiefs added another goal in a 2-0 win at Tully Park Tuesday night to give them their second straight Nassau Class AA title.
"There were some nerves during the game, but my teammates helped me get through that," Breslin said. "This year, we're committed to going all the way."
Massapequa, which earned its 10th Nassau title in 11 years, will face Northport in the Long Island "AA" championship at 7 p.m. Saturday at Tully Park.
On Breslin's go-ahead goal, Kristin Muir sent a corner kick into the box but Calhoun had cleared it. Massapequa was able to maintain possession, and reentered the ball into the box. Calhoun defenders had thought the play would be whistled dead for offside, but Breslin alertly kept the play alive and beat a short-handed Marcello for the 1-0 lead.
Just three minutes later, Taylor Kugler made it 2-0 when she made contact with her left foot on another scramble in front that rolled into the net.
Massapequa keeper Katie Hatziyianis was stellar all game. In the 13th minute, Jessica Foley's left-footed strike from point-blank range was stopped by Hatziyianis, and with five minutes left in the half, Melanie Marinello's one-timer was again stopped by the Chiefs keeper.
She broke up multiple Calhoun chances to keep the game scoreless, and immediately after Massapequa broke through, she made a critical save. "They put a lot of pressure on us and it's my place to step up and come up big," Hatziyianis said. "I had my head in the game because you never know when you have to step up and make big saves."