Exactly two weeks to the day after Mt. Sinai defeated Westhampton 5-4 in the regular season, the Mustangs traveled back to Westhampton on Wednesday for the 3 vs 6 playoff matchup and once again defeated the Hurricanes in a one goal game by a score of 7-6 to advance to the Suffolk Class C Semifinals. This time around the Mustangs were able to jump out to a four goal lead in the first half which proved to be enough for them hold on for the win.
Alexa Spallina got the Mustangs out to a quick 1-0 just moments into the game with a righty shot on the run on their first possession. Mt. Sinai would jump out to a 3-1 on goals by Peyton Choma and Lea Flobeck which were both ignited by two caused turnovers that were forced by Kyla Orlando on intercepted passes. Spallina who finished with a hat-trick, added two more goals along with one scored by Taylor Cline to give Mt. Sinai a 6-2 lead going into halftime.
Westhampton battled back in the second half fueled by sophomore Reese King and freshman Ava Derby, and the defense holding Mt. Sinai to just one goal scored by Choma. Offensively the combination of King and Derby scored two goals each in the second half to spark the Hurricanes, turning what was once a four goal deficit into a one goal game. Trailing 7-6 in the closing seconds, Westhampton would force an out of bounds turnover and draw an infraction on Mt. Sinai outside of the eight, but a deflection by Kayli Carannante who was a clearing machine, and the ground ball going to Choma as the clock expired proved to be enough for the Mustangs to hold on for the win.
The victory for Mt. Sinai means that they will be heading to Sayville on Saturday at 12pm to take on the second seed Golden Flashes in the semifinals as they aim to win their first state championship since 2018.
Beyond the game of lacrosse the Mustangs took the field with Matt LoNigro on their minds, a fixture in the lacrosse community who passed away less than two weeks ago.
