Smithtown Christian in girls soccer final
Smithtown Christian's Chelsea Bellini, center, scored two goals in her team's victory over Remsen in a Class D state semifinal. Credit: Richard Slattery, file
CORTLAND, N.Y. - The clock had barely wound down before Smithtown Christian was scrambling back to the hotel to make reservations. Yet there was more on the mind of Chelsea Bellini and her teammates than hotel rooms, even if they included complimentary continental breakfasts and free high-speed wi-fi.
"This is the first time we actually made it to the final," Bellini said. "So it's very exciting."
Thanks in part to a pair of goals by Bellini, a second-night's stay in Cortland is required for the first time in school history. Smithtown Christian (15-0) will play in its first state championship game after defeating Remsen, 4-1, in the state Class D girls soccer semifinals Friday at Tompkins-Cortland CC.
"We were here last year and we came back focused," Smithtown Christian coach Steve Chandler said. "Now we're in the finals, right where we want to be. We are looking good and hopefully it continues."
Joleen Marfone gave Remsen a 1-0 lead 7:21 in but the rare Smithtown Christian deficit lasted just 10 minutes after Bellini settled a rebound and scored to tie it.
With just under two minutes left in the half, Shannon Casey's shot from the center of the box trickled past the keeper for the go-ahead goal. Bellini added her second goal shortly after, shielding the ball down the sideline and angling a beautiful shot into the side netting for a 3-1 lead.
Dominique Jack sent a through ball to Katelyn Jones, who set up Christina Casamassina with a perfect cross for the Knights fourth unanswered goal 2:38 into the second half.
The win set up a rematch against Chazy, which handed Smithtown Chrisitian its last loss in the semifinals last season, in Saturday's state championship game at 11 a.m. at Tompkins.
It also gave the Knights a second night at the local Ramada Inn.
