Keepers Haynes, Wilson shine in 2-2 tie
North Shore's Melissa Hart (left), goes up against New Hyde Park's Jacklynn Ibrahim (right), during their game at New Hyde Park High School on Monday. (Sept. 19, 2011). Credit: Richard Slattery
Despite withstanding a frenzy of potential game-winning shots in the final two minutes of a 2-2 draw with North Shore, New Hyde Park keeper Jennifer Haynes felt the need to apologize to her teammates.
"I don't like making my team sit on the edge of their seats thinking to themselves, 'Is the ball in? Is the ball out?' " she said. "I like to be a secure keeper, a safety net."
Many were on the edge of their seats during the Nassau Conference I-A girls soccer game Monday, but there was certainly no need to apologize. Sure there were some tense moments, such as when she lost her footing during a scramble in the box in the final minute, but there were also "safety net" moments, such as a crucial diving stop on a shot by Amanda Johansen with just a little more than a minute left.
The pressure was just as intense at the other end of the field where North Shore keeper Ashley Wilson made some game-saving stops herself. After Angelica Eranovic sent a pass down the middle to Caroline Rodgers, Wilson made an aggressive sliding tackle to thwart a potential breakaway.
"All I wanted was to not let the ball go into the net and I was doing all I could to push everybody up," Wilson said. "We should have maybe put one or two in that could have been game-winners but a tie is a tie."
North Shore (1-0-2) emerged with a tie thanks in large part to Brie Ruane, who scored on a looping shot from just outside the box to tie it at 2 with just over 12 minutes remaining.
"In the end, we put some passes together and were able to score" she said. "We just didn't want to come out with a loss."
Despite missing numerous starters because of injury, NHP (0-1-2) was in line for the win after a corner kick by Emma McGrath was tipped by Wilson and knocked in by Jacklynn Ibrahim for a 2-1 lead with 15:17 left.
Johansen gave North Shore a 1-0 lead with 18:56 left in the first half. New Hyde Park responded seven minutes later when Rodgers broke free and put in her own rebound.
Both teams left regretting the missed opportunities but relieved to emerge with a tie.
"I think we should have won," Ibrahim said. "I'm a little disappointed about the tie but I'm proud of everyone."
Said Johansen: "We both played hard. We missed a few chances and could have won. But overall, we played well."
