Massapequa heads back to states, trying for a three-peat
Massapequa No. 22 Melanie Hingher, far left, and teammates celebrate after their 3-0 win over West Islip in the varsity girls' soccer Class AA Long Island Championship at Adelphi University. Credit: James Escher / James Escher
Melanie Hingher and the Massapequa girls soccer team clinched a trip to the state tournament and to Walmart.
"Shopping for food at Walmart is our favorite thing to do before the bus ride upstate," Hingher said after helping Massapequa to a 3-0 win over West Islip in the Long Island Class AA championship Saturday night at Adelphi. "We fill our carts up with hundreds of dollars of food."
Yes, the Chiefs are returning to their home away from home: Cortland. There they will look to capture a third straight state championship. But besides the games and shopping, what else are they looking forward to about the trip?
"The annual talent show we have," Bianca Furci said. "The dinner with all the other teams," Hope Breslin said. "The bus ride," Rebecca White said.
The possession offense of Massapequa overcame the pressure defense of West Islip as the Chiefs captured their fourth Long Island championship in the last six years. Marisa Fischetti used a back heel kick to send the ball backward into the net, giving Massapequa a 1-0 advantage with 20:4 left in the half.
"We would be the only girls soccer team at Massapequa to win three straight," Fischetti said. "It would be a big accomplishment."
Hingher headed in a corner kick from Julia Hannon with 30:51 left to make it 2-0. Breslin scored on a free kick with seconds remaining.
"We know what it's like up in Cortland, so we have an advantage," Breslin said. "We just have to play our game and everything will work out."
Cali Loeffler made seven saves for West Islip (16-2-3).
Massapequa (17-1-1) plays in a state semifinal Saturday at 9:30 a.m. at Tompkins-Cortland Community College.
Surely, though, there must be something the players are looking forward to more than bus rides, talent shows, and Walmart trips. "Ummm," Skylar Vitiello said, "winning a three-peat."
