Jillian Colucci, Clare O'Connor lead Port Jefferson to LI Class B title
Port Jefferson forward Jillian Colucci celebrates her go-ahead goal against Wheatley with Port Jefferson midfielder Olivia Love, Port Jefferson midfielder Katie Connolly and Port Jefferson forward Grace Swords during the second half of the Long Island Class B girls soccer final at Dowling Sports Complex on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2014. Credit: Brad Penner
Jillian Colucci may now be referred to as "Your Royal Highness."
Colucci scored the tying and winning goals for the Royals, both assisted by Clare O'Connor, to lead Port Jefferson to a 3-2 win over Wheatley in the Long Island championship / state Southeast Regional final Saturday at Dowling Sports Complex.
O'Connor served a free kick from the left wing that was deflected back to her. She settled the ball and served it to the far post, where Colucci fired it into the net to give Port Jefferson a 3-2 lead with 5:33 left.
"We made eye contact and I knew she was going to send it back in," Colucci said. "So I prepared myself and was like, 'Whatever you have to do, get it in the goal.' "
O'Connor and Colucci, friends since first grade, connected on the tying goal earlier in the second half. O'Connor sent a free kick into the box, where a charging Colucci knocked in the equalizer to even the score at 2 with 30:28 remaining.
"This is amazing," O'Connor said. "Now hopefully we'll be the first team from Port Jefferson to win states."
Port Jefferson (15-2-2) plays in the state Class B semifinals at Cortland High School at 9:30 a.m. Saturday against either Aquinas or Falconer.
Alana Leahy gave Wheatley (15-2-1) a 2-1 lead after scoring on a free kick from 30 yards with 9:50 remaining in the first half.
Grace Swords scored on a breakaway just 1:29 into the game to give Port Jefferson a 1-0 lead. Rachel Jozef then headed in a corner kick by Danielle Wasserman in the 11th minute to pull Wheatley even.
The Royals, who have no seniors, didn't make a substitution all game. "They just have that fire," Port Jefferson coach Allyson Wolff said. "They're hard working, they're dedicated, they're resilient."
And now they're Long Island royalty.
