In an exciting High School Winter League game at Stony Brook indoor, Long Beach secured a hard-fought victory against Commack with a final score of 9-6. The game featured two teams making their debut in the league this year.
Commack, representing Suffolk Class A, opened the scoring with a goal from future Stony Brook Seawolf Amelia Brite. The early lead set the pace, but Long Beach, from Nassau Class B, quickly countered. With impressive goalkeeping from Olivia Bezmalinovich, Commack initially maintained their advantage as they held a lead of 3-0.
However, as the game progressed, Long Beach’s pace began to shift the momentum. They showcased patience in possession, coupled with their inherent speed and athleticism, creating numerous scoring opportunities. Key players like JMU bound senior Ava Main and Denver bound junior Delaney Chernoff played pivotal roles, with Main demonstrating remarkable speed and Chernoff turning defense into crucial offensive plays.
Commack continued to push, leveraging their youthful roster, including talented players like Ashley Arizonis, Leah Cohen, Sarah Franke, and Samantha Benedict. They looked to create one-on-one plays, seeking out favorable matchups and relying on their agility and skill. Despite these efforts, Long Beach’s defense, led by goalie Emily Backin who’s committed to Binghamton, and the freshman Anala Teemer, proved formidable.
The turning point came in the second half when Long Beach started converting their opportunities into goals, thanks to their successful clearing and sharpshooting. Chernoff and Keira Fontaine capitalized on quick transitions, while Teemer the natural defender also showed her offensive prowess as she added a goal.
As the match neared its conclusion, Long Beach’s disciplined approach paid off. Despite Commack’s persistent efforts and Brite’s standout performance, Long Beach’s balanced attack and solid defense sealed their victory.
In the end, the 9-6 scoreline in favor of Long Beach reflected their successful adaptation to the pace of the game, effective use of their speed, and strategic gameplay.
Heading into week 2 Long Beach aims to pick up their second win when they battle the free agent Excelsior Team at 7pm. Commack who was without Emma Hendry and Kate Hearns in this one, face Miller Place at 6:15 where they will look to get their first win.
