Kaitlin Conway's 35-yard goal off a deflection lifts Sachem East 

Sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good. But Kaitlin Conway is very good. And when you can sprinkle in some luck in a contest also, that can be debilitating for an opponent.

The Sachem East junior fired a shot from 35 yards toward the goal. The shot hit off a defender but still had enough power to reach the net and ultimately bounce over the opposing goalkeeper’s head for the game’s first goal as Sachem East defeated host Smithtown East, 3-0, in Suffolk League II girls soccer action Tuesday.

“I always try to shoot, so I was aiming for the goal,” Conway said. “But I was shocked. I think the whole team was shocked but happy.”

“We got a nice break on the first goal, lucky bounce, I’ll take a lucky bounce any day,” coach Tom Anson said. “And I think that kind of helped settle everyone in and say, ‘We got this.’ ”

Conway was also instrumental in Sachem East’s second goal, sending a free kick about 30 yards and finding Morgan Iadanza, who headed in the goal to give Sachem East a 2-0 lead with 21:50 left in the first half. Conway’s goal came with 28:39 left in the first half for Sachem East (2-0-1).

“The way she served it in, it kind of arched perfectly and I would have been very upset if I missed it,” Iadanza said. “It was very relieving.”

Conway finished with a goal and an assist.

“She controls the field like one of the best I’ve ever had,” Anson said. “She just has such control on the field both verbally and non-verbally. She sees everything out there.”

Hailey Moschitta scored the game’s final goal when she intercepted a punt and scored from 30 yards 1:06 into the second half.

“It just landed at my foot and I was pretty close to the net,” Moschitta said. “So I just chested it down and saw the goalie was out and I went for it.”

And Conway and her teammates certainly had additional motivation. Smithtown East ended Sachem East’s season last fall with a 3-2 overtime victory in the Suffolk Class AA quarterfinals. Smithtown East (0-2-1) went on to reach the county final before falling to Smithtown West, 1-0.

“I definitely had a chip on my shoulder going into this game because I did not want it to end like that again,” Conway said. “Just to be able to win this game, it felt so good to beat them. Every single practice, I think that’s always in the back of our heads.”

The Sachem East backline, including Stephanie Tator, Emma Parente, Heather Abzug and Giovanna Richetti with Kaitlyn Grady’s one save, had a strong game to limit Smithtown East’s scoring chances.

Aside from a little revenge, the victory also serves as an early-season confidence boost for Sachem East.

“We knew we had a test coming in here,” Anson said. “That’s what we’ve been talking about the last three days and they passed with flying colors. It’s a good 3-0 win against a quality team, so we’re happy.”