Last weekend was the conclusion of the LILJ Girls High School Winter League, wrapping up a thrilling five weeks of play at Stony Brook Indoor featuring plenty of teams across both the high school and club circuit. The final weekend saw a total of five champions crowned with one middle school, one JV, and three varsity teams, and there were plenty of dramatic finishes across the board in the semifinal, championship, as well as the consolation matchups. Congratulations to the champions which were YJ O’Sullivan, YJ Friedman, St. Anthony’s Black, YJ Torre Mitchell, and Commack! Let’s go back recap all of the action from last Saturday and Sunday in the Girls High School Winter League!
Sayville JV vs Team 91 Fusion 2028
Opening up the final weekend of the girls high school winter league was a matchup in the JV division between the Golden Flashes of Sayville and the 2028s of 91 Fusion. This game saw Sayville earn a five goal win over 91 by a score of 11-6, outscoring them 5-1 in the first half and 6-5 in the second half. In the first half Sayville got great goaltending from Lia Spikoski, stopping nearly every shot that came her way. Spikoski was 83% on saves stopping 5/6 shots. Offensively Julia Madsen and Madison McMulkin each tallied two goals and one assist to lead the team, while seven others each added one goal. Among the seven that also scored included Callie Smith, Morgan Devane, Livi DiStefano, Jordan Hamill, Elle Holbrook, Raya DiStefano, and Caitlin Pattilio. Dishing out three assists was Pattilio along with two assists each from Holbrook and Raya DiStefano. Defensively Avery Wade put on a clinic with great activity getting in the passing lanes and coming up with a game high six ground balls and two caused turnovers. For 91 Fusion they were led offensively by Allie Lizza’s hat-trick, followed by one goal each from Gianna Forgione, Giada Johnson, and Jordyn Barraud. Makayla Blaising once again had a strong outing in the cage with seven saves and a 58% save percentage playing in the first half.
Team 91 Fire 2029 vs Team 91 Crush 2031
It was 91 vs 91 in the opening game of the playoffs as the 2029s of Fire faced the 2031s of Crush for a spot in the semifinals against Team 91 Frenzy. The two teams played an even first half with the score tied at three through the first 20 minutes of play, but in the second half that was where 91 Crush created separation, outscoring Fire 7-4 to advance to the semifinals by a score of 10-7. 91 Crush provided a balanced scoring attack with three goals scored by Holly Schenkel, two goals each by Harley Leake, Layla Muller and Scarlett Lentin, and one goal from Piper Mancuso. Harley Leake was 80% on the draw circle going 4/5. Playing in goal in the first half was Aneglina Perrotta who was 50% in saves stopping 3/6 shots. The victory for 92 Crush sent them to the semifinals against top seeded YJ O’Sullivan. 91 Fire saw seven different players each find the back of the net including Erin Redding, Charlotte Fortier, Brooke Filosa, Allison Karp, Allie Lizza, Giada Johnson, and Isabella DiPasquale.
YJ Curcio 2031 vs YJ O’Sullivan 2030
In the first semifinal game in the middle school division it was a Yellow Jacket clash between the 2031s of YJ Curcio and the 2030s of YJ O’Sullivan. The two teams were exchanging goals in the first half and through the first 20 minutes of play it was all even at four. The second half continued to be tightly contested, with YJ O’Sullivan holding a 7-5 lead with just over one minute remaining. After YJ Curcio cut the deficit to one, and after forcing a turnover in the final seconds YJ Curcio had a chance to tie the game but were unable to get a shot off and YJ O’Sullivan held on for a 7-6 win to advance to the championship game. Of the seven goals for YJ O’Sullivan they were scored by seven different players including Nina Lazo, Olivia Miller, Nikki Parise, Kendall Logan, Valentina Lorandini, Lilly Arnone, and Lainey Murtha. Elle Giannopoulos forced three turnovers on defense along with two caused turnovers by Nikki Parise and Lilly Arnone. Ashley Manolakes stuffed the stat sheet for YJ Curcio, connecting for three goals, one assist, three ground balls, and three caused turnovers. Cameron Falkman aded two goals and two caused turnovers, and Charlotte Hostel scored once.
Team 91 Crush 2031 vs Team 91 Frenzy 2030
The second semifinal game 91 vs 91 as Crush took on Frenzy. This one was controlled by Frenzy, winning 15-2 punching their ticket to the championship game. The duo of Ella Murtha and Evelyn Avery combined for six goals, each scoring three, and adding two goals and two assists each was Emerson LaPenna and Mia Arnone. Emma Regan also scored twice while Elle Meyer, Ashley Callahan, and Antonia Gerbino found the back of the net once. On the draw circle Kalina Jaskinska was 60% going 3/5 and defensively Alexis Gibbons secured three ground balls with two caused turnovers and Hailey LaGala also recorded two ground balls. In goal for 91 Frenzy Maryann Scarnati was 80% on saves stopping 8/10 shots. Harley scored each of the two goals for 91 Crush and also scooped up three ground balls and forced three turnovers.
Team 91 Fire 2029 vs YJ Curcio 2031
In the second game of the day for both 91 and YJ, the 2031s of YJ Curcio wrapped up the winter league securing a 9-6 win. They jumped out to a four goal lead in the first half, outscoring 91 5-1, while 91 had slight scoring edge in the second half winning the scoring 5-4. YJ Curcio was well balanced in scoring with eight different players scoring at least one goal. Brielle Ensel scored twice with one goal each from Molly McCabe, Giuliana Mancini, Amelia Parciak, Madeline Burke, Cameron Falkman, Olivia Garritano, and Brianna Grever. Amelia Parciak had a team high four ground balls and four caused turnovers and Olivia Leopardi recorded three ground balls and one caused turnover. For 91 Brook Filosa and Allison Karp contributed with two goals each and Jordyn Barraud and Madeline Warner scored once. Filosa was also all over the field securing ground balls, coming up with six off the ground.
Team 91 Frenzy 2030 vs YJ O’Sullivan 2030
In the championship matchup of the middle school division it was the 2030 showdown between Team 91 Frenzy and YJ O’Sullivan who were the number one and number two seeds in the playoffs. These two teams played an epic game for title that needed overtime to decide a winner. In the first half 91 Frenzy had the upper hand, leading by as many as four goals at multiple points by scores of 8-4 and 9-5. YJ O’Sullivan scored two goals in the closing minutes of the first half, including a buzzer beater by Madelyn Georgi to cut the deficit to 9-7 going into halftime. The momentum gained by YJ going into halftime carried over into the second half as they scored the first three goals of the second frame to come back from down by four to take a 10-9 lead. The game saw a seven goal swing as YJ went from down four in the first half to up by as many as three in the second half. With 91 trailing 14-11 with four minutes remaining, it was Elle Meyer cutting the deficit to two, followed by a great check by Emerson LaPenna of the goalie which resulted in the ball crossing the goal line to bring them within one. Still trailing by one with just over 90 seconds remaining it was Evelyn Avery assisting Mia Arnone for the equalizer to tie the game at 14. At the end of regulation Nikki Parise had a chance to win the game on an 8 meter shot, but Maryann Scarnati delivered a clutch save to keep it tied up and send the game to overtime. In overtime with 1:20 remaining Nikki Parise fed Avery Pescatore who was open on the crease to score the game winning goal giving YJ O’Sullivan the championship in overtime by a score of 15-14. For YJ Lilly Arnone scored a game high five goals along with one assist and was 4/8 on the draw circle. Kendall Logan, Bryn Guariglia, and Avery Pescatore all scored two goals, and Juliana Carvavetta, Nikki Parise, Valentina Lorandini, and Madelyn Georgi added one goal each. On the other side it was a combined eight goal effort for Evelyn Avery and Karina Jasinska scoring four goals each. For the second straight game Emerson LaPenna scored twice and dished out two assists, and adding one goal was Mia Arnone.
YJ Grazidei/Stadler 2027 vs YJ Maget/Bertolone 2028
In the first game on the Saturday in the varsity division it was the super sophomores of YJ Grazidei Stadler against the freshman phenoms of YJ Maget Bertolone. The 2027s would take this one by a score of 14-7, scoring seven goals in each half, while YJ Maget scored three in the first half and four in the second half. Cadence Adamo totaled three goals going 2/2 on 8 meter shots along with one assist. Olivia Brady, Stamatia Almiroudis, and Grace Brantuk each scored two goals with one assist as well as a caused turnover for Brady. Katelynn Murtha added two goals and a caused turnover, and the trio of Natalie Byrns, Juliann Brzeski, and Maddy Herr scored once. Jordin Rosga tallied a hat-trick for YJ Maget, and Kaitlin Millett, Jennavieve Lineman, Jamie Medico, and Molly Hyland scored one goal each. On the draw circle Lineman was 75% going 3/4.
YJ Voss 2026 vs Manhasset
In a high school vs club matchup Manhasset faced YJ Voss and, these two teams went right down to the wire where YJ Voss came away with a 7-6 win. The game was tied inside of 30 seconds remaining when Kaleigh Howard (Old Dominion) dished to Lily Krollage (Flagler) for what was ultimately the game winner. YJ Voss saw all seven goals scored by a different player which included Krollage, Mischa Fernandes (Stony Brook), Madison Ingoglia, Taylor Murtha (Sacred Heart), Molly Hyland, Addie Kelly, and Ilaria Florence. Kelly and Sarah Vrljcak each (ESU) had a team high three caused turnovers, and Hyland also forced two takeaways. In goal in the second half Charlotte Cuneo came up with a timely save with just over a minute remaining to keep the game tied which gave YJ the opportunity to win the game down the stretch. Manhasset’s Joy D’Angelo, Sarah Weigand (Merrimack) and Danielle Perfetto found the back of the net twice and in goal Ruby Cacioppo was 63% in saves with 12 total saves on 19 shots.
Sayville Varsity vs Excelsior
The first semifinal matchup in the AAA bracket of the varsity division between the Golden Flashes and Excelsior saw this one go to Sayville by a score of 18-9 to punch their ticket to the championship game. They were fueled by a strong first half where they outscored Excelsior 10-3, and increased their lead in the second half outscoring them 8-6. Sayville which has one of the most prolific midfield units on the island got big production from the quartet of Morgan Farrell (Hopkins), Sofia Cangelosi (Michigan), Carly Cangelosi (Rutgers), and Sophia Buffardi (UNC). Both Farrell and Sofia Cangelosi struck for four goals while Carly Cangelosi tallied a hat-trick and one assist, and Buffardi scored twice with two assists. At attack Abby Galaris (Wesleyan) added two goals, and scoring one goal each was Carly Brady, Mackenzie Schutte, and Olivia DeSimone (FSU) who also recorded two assists. Adding two assists for Sayville was also Olivia Razzano. For Excelsior Kate Ross (LIU), Ava Rivera (Mercer), Jolie Schiavo (JMU) and Kate Theofield (Rutgers) all found the back of the net twice. Alyssa Lorefice (Rutgers) scored once to round out the scoring and on the draw circle Olivia Kaelin (New Haven) was 75% winning 3/4 draws. Emma DiMaio (Stony Brook) was a feeding machine for Excelsior dishing out a team high four assists. Defensively Grace Theofield (Binghamton) scooped up three balls off the ground with also one caused turnover.
Garden City vs St. Anthony’s Black
The second semifinal game in the AAA bracket was a Nassau vs Parochial clash between the Trojans and the Friars. In the first half the Friars held a 5-3 lead with four minutes remaining in the half before they rattled off three consecutive goals to take an 8-3 lead going into halftime. The late momentum shift before halftime carried into the second half where they increased the lead up to as many as eight goals and ultimately defeated Garden City by a score of 17-11 where they advanced to the championship game against Sayville. For the Friars Emma Speed (Florida) and Anna Christie (Northwestern) led the team each scoring four goals. Cameron Pupke (Princeton) added a hat-trick, Molly Hiney (Hopkins) scored twice with two assists, and Madison Neary (Stetson) added two goals. Scoring one goal each was Shannon Steck (Hofstra), and Madison Sussi (UMass). Defensively Sophia Novelli (Vanderbilt) secured a game high five ground balls along with one caused turnover. Garden City was led by their prolific Northwestern bound attacker Kyle Finnell who went off for seven goals on 10 shots, putting forth a dominant game. Deanna Prisco (Northwestern), Leelee Gaffney (American), Arcangela Haffner (Holy Cross) and Grace Brantuk scored one goal each.
YJ Babst 2030 vs FLG 2028 Navy
Wrapping up the Saturday slate of games in the girls high school winter league it was a club matchup between the 2030s of YJ Babst and the 2028s of FLG. It was a tale of two halves as in the first half goals were at a premium with FLG holding a slight 3-2 lead through the first 20 minutes of play. The second half saw the offense pick up on both sides and this one had a memorable finish as FLG led 8-6 with just over two minutes remaining. YJ Babst was in need of two goals to try to tie the game and Addison Fitzgibbon brought them within one trailing 8-7. With YJ Babst still in need of a goal in the final seconds FLG secured a big save to keep the one goal lead, but with the ball on the ground after FLG attempted to clear Vivienne Speidell secured a monumental ground ball and with four seconds left Speidell got off a shot from 15 yards away and scored at the buzzer on a miraculous play to tie the game for YJ Babst, ending this one in an 8-8 tie. The buzzer beating goal was Speidell’s second of the game, and Jada Leonard also connected for two goals for YJ Babst. Mackenzie Klammer, Julia Babst, Addison Fitzgibbon, and Brianna Tomicic each scored once. Gabrielle Surdi dished out an assist and had two ground balls, and defensively Grace Chornoma secured a team high three ground balls along with a caused turnover. For FLG Ashley Arizonis accounted for five of the eight goals and also had three ground balls along with a caused turnover. Kennedy Murnane scored one goal with one assist and Ireland Pinner and Madeline Kavanaugh also added one goal with Kavanaugh also forcing two turnovers. Defensively Claire Dello-Iacono had three ground balls with a caused turnover and Emma Lembo added two gb’s with one takeaway. In goal Molly Giordano was just under 50% in saves, stopping 7/15 shots.
YJ Friedman 2029 vs Bayport JV
Getting the Sunday slate of game started was the first semifinal matchup in the JV division featuring YJ Friedman and Bayport. Entering the playoffs as the top overall seed was YJ Friedman and the Phantoms came in as the two seed. In the first half the two teams played an evenly matched game, playing to a 3-3 tie through the first 20 minutes of play. The theme continued in the second half with neither team leading by more than one goal until inside of six minutes remaining when YJ Friedman took an 8-6 lead. The Phantoms cut the deficit back to one but YJ Friedman went on a 3-1 scoring run to end the game resulting in an 11-8 win to advance to the championship game. Steeping up in a big way for YJ Friedman was midfielder Piper Brawley who was a matchup nightmare. Brawley struck for four goals with one assist while going 4/6 on the draw circle along with three ground balls and two caused turnovers. Lainie Friedman tallied two goals and two assists with four ground balls and a crusted turnover. Scoring one goal each was Nicole Manolakes, Natalie Takacs, Olivia Leopardi, Avery Needle, and Ella Dragonette. Leopardi also secured two ground balls and on the defensive end Emma Glick recorded three ground balls and one caused turnover. In the first half Natalie Barth was in the cage where she was 57% on saves stopping 4/7 shots. The Phantoms were led in scoring by Liliana May’s four goals followed by a hat-trick by Kayla Bongiorno. Kaelyn Aiello scored once and dished out two assists. Bayport’s defense saw Charlotte Bishop record three ground balls and in the cage Anastasia Cirone make nine saves with a 45% save percentage.
Westhampton JV vs Team 91 Roar 2029
The second semifinal game in the JV division was the Hurricanes of Westhampton and the 2029s of 91 Fire in what was an instant classic. 91 Roar scored the game’s first two goals to jump in front 2-0 before Westhampton rattled off four consecutive goals to take a 4-2 lead. 91 was able to stem the tide and score the final two goals of the half resulting in a 4-4 game going into halftime. In the second half it was unbelievable lacrosse between the two teams as they went back and forth exchanging goals setting up a scintillating finish. In the closing seconds of regulation it was 91 trailing 10-9 and in need of goal when Avah Robinson secured a huge ground ball after a near turnover and had the scoop and score with 10 seconds remaining delivering the game-tying goal to send it to overtime. In overtime each team came up empty on their first possession, with 91 keeping the game tied on a crucial save by Lily Gentile followed by a quick outlet ahead to Riley LaRocca to start transition. After the ball hit the ground LaRocca saved the possession with the ground ball and dished to Kaylee Obloj who fired a rocket with 1:40 remaining to win the game for 91 and send them to the championship game! The game winner for Obloj was her second goal of the game and also the second assist for LaRocca. Avah Robinson was once again a dominant force on the field with five goals, eight ground balls and two caused turnovers. Adding one goal each was Addison Fox, Michaela Grever, Payton Ioannou, and Luca Spallina, with Grever dishing out two assists and Fox adding one. Elle Carrara and Vanessa Novelli secured three ground balls each on defense and forcing two turnovers each was Novelli, Ioannou, and Riley Williams. Lily Gentile recorded eight saves, the biggest one coming in overtime which led to the game winner by Obloj. Westhampton was led by Emma Luzon’s two goals and two assists as well as two goals each from Katelyn Salerno and Mackenzie Klammer. Salerno had a team high five ground balls and was 75% on the draw circle going 3/4. Mia Mastropierro, Katy Lourenco, Teagan Dorn, and Kasey Cangelosi all scored once with two assists from Cangelosi and one from Mastropierro. Adding five ground balls was also Mastropierro and in the caused turnover department Klammer forced three takeaways followed by two each from Salerno, Lourenco, and Angelina Detke. In the cage Alina Cooper recorded seven saves with a percentage just under 50%.
Huntington JV vs Team 91 Thunder 2029
In the final game for the Blue Devils JV team and the 2029s of 91 Thunder, these two teams went back and forth and played to a 10-10 tie. 91 Thunder held a 6-5 lead at the half and Huntington had the edge in the second half outscoring 91 5-4. The Blue Devils Olivia Puccio has been a prolific scorer all winter and this game was no different as she found the back of the net five times and also recorded two assists. Norah Golden added two goals and scoring one goal each was Brianna Purcell, Bryce Gilroy, and Lia Zivkovic. Purcell forced a team high three turnovers and in ground balls Claire Dello-Iacono scooped up three off the ground. Katie Horn was in the cage in the second half and was 60% in saves stopping 6/10 shots. For 91 Thunder Nora Miller to lead the team in scoring. Allie Lizza, Brooke Valentine, Giada Johnson, Liv Marksberry, Lila Newman, Kyla McGuire, and Isabella DiPasquale connected for one goal each. Marlee Cohen and Logan Gialella had three ground balls each along with two caused turnovers, and in goal Ashleigh Kurowski played the first half where she made six saves with a 55% save percentage.
Team 91 Roar 2029 vs YJ Friedman 2029
In the championship game of the JV division two of the top 2029 club programs went head to head as 91 Roar faced YJ Friedman. These two teams which have been dynamic on the offensive end were in a defensive battle particularly in the first half. Goals were at premium but it was a slim lead through the first 20 minutes of play for YJ Friedman up 3-1 at the half. In the second half YJ Friedman took control of the game, slowly turning a two goal lead into a six goal lead in the final six minutes of the game. Ultimately it was YJ Friedman defeating 91 Roar 8-4 to win the JV championship! Offensively Ella Dragonette scored twice for YJ Friedman and Molly McNamara, Sarah Paci, Natalie Takacs, Lainie Friedman, Katy Lourenco, and Avery Needle scored one goal each with Friedman recording two assists. As a team YJ Friedman had a 20-12 advantage in ground balls with Katy Lourenco leading the team with four gb’s followed by three from Emma Glick, and two each from Molly McNamara, Piper Brawley, Harper Kleet, Natalie Barth and Lainie Friedman. In goal in the first half Natalie Barth recorded three saves with a 75% save percentage. For 91 Payton Ioannou scored two of their four goals and Keira Pellizzi and Riley Williams added one goal each. Williams was also 60% on the draw circle winning 3/5 draws and had a team high four ground balls.
YJ Napolitano/Chamberlain 2028 vs Wantagh
Opening up the varsity slate on Sunday it was the 2028s of YJ Napolitano/Chamberlain against the Wantagh Warriors. Wantagh jumped out to a five goal lead in the first half leading by a score of 7-2, and in the second half they added to their lead outscoring YJ 5-4 to win by a score of 12-6. Riley Forthofer (Albany) was an offensive force with three goals and three assists for a six point game. Sabrina Asadurian (Stony Brook) tallied a hat-trick, and Mia Dankenbrink and Isabella Sandoval (Binghamton) each scored twice. Adding one goal each was Juliana Cerasi (JMU) and Madeline Drago. The six goals for YJ were scored by six different players including Zoey Grochow, Katelyn Salerno, Kaylee Fitzgibbon, Gabriella LaGala, Raegan Chamberlain, and Jojo Derby. Salerno also dished out two assists and on the draw circle was 75% winning 3/4 draws.
Huntington Varsity vs FLG 2027
The Blue Devils faced the 2027s of FLG in the final game for each of these teams and it was Huntington wrapping up with a 14-7 win over FLG. Huntington got big offensive games from their upperclassmen led by the four goals scored by Valentina Puccio (Hofstra) and three goals and three assists from Grace Gordon (Lafayette). Jolie Weinschreider (Rutgers) also connected for three goals along with one assist and was 3/5 on the draw circle with three ground balls and a caused turnover. Jenna Italiano (Molloy) and Devon St. John (Cornell) scored two goals each and St. John forced a team high three caused turnovers. Huntington’s two goalies Juliet Johnson and Andie DiGioia split time in the cage with Johnson saving shots at a 57% rate and DiGioia having a save percentage of 50%. Olivia Mulada found the back of the net three times and recorded two assists for FLG, and Madison Moccio, Audrey Shen, Daniella Lago, and Charlotte Radigan each scored a goal.
Massapequa vs Ward Melville
In the second round of the playoffs of A bracket in the varsity division it was a Long Island Championship rematch between Massapequa and Ward Melville for a spot in the semifinals against Commack. These two teams have a flair for the dramatic after playing an overtime LIC game last year and once again needing overtime this time around. The first half was back and forth with neither team leading by more than one goal and through the first 20 minutes of play it was Massapequa holding a 4-3 lead going into halftime. In the second half Massapequa held a 7-5 lead before Ward Melville rattled off three straight goals to take an 8-7 lead, but Massapequa had an answer as they tied the game. with under four minutes remaining. This one would end up going into overtime where it was Keira Pirozzi (Marist) with an 8 meter shot in the final 20 seconds of overtime and she connected to give Ward Melville a 9-8 win to advance the Patriots to the semifinals. Adding three goals for Ward Melville was Sadie Banks, followed by two goals from Nicole Manolakes, and one goal each from Pirozzi, Keira Flynn, Olivia Zummo (Adelphi), and Kailey Finley. On the draw circle Giavanna Parente was 3/6, and in goal Sydney Millett delivered clutch saves both at the end of regulation and in overtime giving Ward Melville the chance to ultimately win the game. Massapequa’s Paige Garguilo struck for a game high five goals while Isabella Grosso (Loyola), Grace Hoffman (Hopkins) and Olivia Morgan, each added one goal. On the draw circle Cassidy Morrow (Siena) was 3/4 and Molly Solnick (Mercy) led the team with four ground balls.
YJ Torre/Mitchell 2026 vs Mt. Sinai
The first semifinal game of the AA bracket was a club vs high school matchup between the YJ 2026s and the Mt. Sinai Mustangs. This one went in favor of YJ as they secured a 12-5 win, outscoring Mt. Sinai 7-4 in the first half and 5-1 in the second half to punch their ticket to the championship game. The two Binghamton commits Sara Richardt and Gianna McNulty combined for seven goals with four from Richardt and three from McNulty. Madison Sussi (UMass) scored twice and recorded two assists, and Carly Amato (UMass), Kamryn McCrary (JMU) and Gianna Calise (JMU) all found the back of the net once. McCrary also tallied two assists and one by Calise. On the draw circle Calise was 75% winning 3/4 draws, and in the ground ball department McCrary and Devyn Slattery each secured three gb’s. The second half goalie for YJ was Hailey Stratton (UNC Charlotte) where she was 83% in saves, stopping 5/6 shots faced. For the Mustangs Alexa Spallina (Clemson) scored twice and Zoe Stonecipher, Cady Flaherty (UVA), and Sophia Masone (Georgetown) added one goal each.
Westhampton Varsity vs Rocky Point
It was a Suffolk Class C battle in the second AA semifinal game between the Hurricanes and the Eagles for a spit in the championship game and this one was controlled by Westhampton, holding a 6-2 lead at the half, and outscoring Rocky Point in the second half 7-4 for a 13-6 win to head to the championship. For Westhampton it was Avery Derby (Maryland) striking for four goals, followed by a hat-trick by Maiya Boughal (Dartmouth). Tierney McEntee added one assist and two goals, including one for the highlight reel with a smooth behind the back finish on an assist by Reagan Schindler. Scoring one goal each was Schindler, Reese King (UNC), Meaghan Tufano (Hofstra), and Sofia Amodemo. For Maya Farnan (UPenn) it was another day at the office, making 11 saves with a 65% save percentage. Rocky Point’s Cadence Adamo and Kaleigh Moeller (FSU) scored two goals each with two assists from Moeller, while Fiona Vu (Brown) and Violet Freebody (Slippery Rocky) added one goal each. Both Adamo and Moeller each forced two turnovers for Rocky Point to lead the team.
ESM vs St. Anthony’s White
In the first semifinal game of A bracket it was a rematch from week 2 between the Friars and the Sharks. The first time around these two teams played to a 6-6 tie, but this time the game needed a winner to determine who would be advancing to the championship game. Once again it was a very evenly matched game, with ESM holding a slight 4-3 lead that the half. In the second half ESM led by as many as three, leading 6-3 early in period, but the Friars rattled off four unanswered goals to jump in front 7-6. In the final two minutes of regulation with ESM trailing 8-7 it was Kate Valenti (Saint Leo) coming up clutch tying the game up at eight and sending the game into overtime. This one would need three overtimes to determine a winner, and in the third overtime it was Estes Mihos of the Friars scoring her sixth goal of the game with the assist by Beau Davi to give St. Anthony’s a 9-8 win to advance to the championship game. For the Friars Keira Steck scored twice and dished out four assists and Lila Surace added a goal to round out the scoring. Defensively Cassandra Rhodes secured two ground balls and forced one turnover. ESM’s Kate Valenti scored two goals with one assist and scoring one goal each was Lauren Valenti (Saint Leo), Alexa Quiery, Taylor Murtha (Sacred Heart), Molly McGuire (Cortland), Ella Schopp, and Hayden Duswalt. On the draw circle Kate Valenti was 80% winning 4/5 draws.
Ward Melville vs Commack
After earning a 9-8 overtime over Massapequa, the Patriots advanced to the semifinals to face Class A rival Commack for a spot in the championship game. In the first half it was all Commack as they jumped out to a five goal advantage leading 6-1 through the first 20 minutes of play. The second half saw Ward Melville gradually make their way back into the game and eventually cutting a five goal deficit down to one, trailing 8-7 with just over one minute remaining. In the end Commack managed to hold on by that score to advance to the championship game and play St. Anthony’s White. The trio of Amelia Brite (FSU), Emily Parisi (Sacred Heart) and Aubrey Maurer (UConn) each scored two goals. Lili Pettit (Stony Brook) and Avery Rojas added one goal each. In ground balls Maurer secured a team high six gb’s and on defense Julia Parisi scooped up four off the ground. Goalie Olivia Bezmalinovic made six saves and was just under 50% in saves. For Ward Melville they were led in scoring by Sadie Banks who delivered a hat-trick and one assist. Giavanna Parente scored twice and added one assist and Nicole Manolakes and Ellie Speidell each scored once. In ground balls it was Maeve McKay and Peyton Phillips (UPenn) each recording three ground balls.
Harborfields vs Bayport Varsity
In a Suffolk Class C clash between Harborfields and Bayport this one was a shootout that went to the phantoms 15-10. It was Bayport jumping out to an 8-4 lead at the half and outscoring Harborfields 7-6 in the second half for the five goal victory. For the Phantoms Aubire Eisfeld (Clemson) stuffed the stat sheet with a game high six goals, five ground balls, and six caused turnovers. Erika Kreuscher (Stony Brook) connected for two goals and had three assists and Sara Richardt (Binghamton) found the back of the net twice. Liliana May scored once with three assists, Eva Carvalho (Albany) added one goal and two assists, Emma Shanahan (Quinnipiac) scored once with one assist and Olivia Brady added one goal. Brady also had a team high three ground balls. Harborfields saw Bella Monteleone (Stony Brook) and Nora Ruddy each strike for four goals with Ruddy also recording three assists. On the draw circle Ruddy was in command winning 7/8 draws and recording three ground balls. Juliet Gianfrancesco and Jamie Medico scored one goal each as well for the Tornadoes.
Sayville vs St. Anthony’s Black
Two heavyweights went head to head in championship game of the AAA bracket when the Friars of St. Anthony’s faced the Golden Flashes of Sayville. In the first half it was tightly contested with the two teams trading blows and through the first 20 minutes of play it was St. Anthony’s leading 4-3. The second half is where the Friars established firm control of the game, scoring the first three goals of the period to jump in front 7-3, and ultimately lead by as many as six goals with final score being 11-5 St. Anthony’s to win the AAA championship and their second straight winter league title. The lefty Florida commit Emma Speed continues to play with supreme confidence, closing out the winter league with bang as she rattled off four goals and dished out three assists for a seven point game. Anna Christie (Northwestern) struck for a hat-trick and an assist and scoring one goal each was Peighton McNulty (Binghamton), Madison Neary (Stetson), Emma Toner (Lafayette) and Cameron Pupke (Princeton). Defensively Julia May O’Connor (Syracuse) caused two turnovers and in goal was Jess Black (Army) in the first half saving 57% of shots and Sierra Grant (Binghamton) in the second half saving 60% of shots. For the Golden Flashes Dylan McNamara made her return to action with two goals and one assist while Morgan Farrell (Hopkins), Carly Cangelosi (Rutgers), and Olivia DeSimone (FSU) each found the back of the net once. Julia Lilienthal (Vanderbilt) tallied 11 saves and a save percentage of 50%.
Westhampton Varsity vs YJ Torre/Mitchell 2026
The AA championship game featured the Hurricanes of Westhampton and the 2026s of YJ Torre Mitchell in what was one of the premier games of the weekend. The first half was a back and forth affair with each team holding a slight two goal lead at one point, but it was YJ who had the edge at the half leading by a score of 5-3. Westhampton answered in the second half with three consecutive goals to start, taking a 6-5 lead. Each team was trading goals throughout much of the second half, and with Westhampton leading 9-8 with just over one minute remaining in the game, the Yellow Jackets were in need of a goal to tie the score and it was Gianna McNulty (Binghamton) dishing to Meadow Szillus (Stony Brook) for the game tying goal to ultimately send the game to overtime. In overtime it was Westhampton securing the first offensive possession but were unable to get off a shot resulting in a turnover and the ball going back to YJ after a huge ground ball secured by Devyn Slattery and clear by Sophia Mele (Elon). On the first offensive possession for YJ it was the two future UMass commits delivering the game sealing play as Carly Amato assisted Madison Sussi who scored the game winning goal with just over one minute remaining to capture the AA championship! The goal for Sussi was her second of the game, with two goals also being scored by Sara Richardt (Binghamton), and Meadow Szillus. Taylor Reising (Rhode Island), Kamryn McCrary (JMU), Lila Callahan (Hofstra) and Gianna McNulty each scored once with McNulty adding two assists. On the draw circle Richardt and Amato were both 2/2 and defender Talyn Summer forced two turnovers. The Hurricanes were led offensively by Ava Derby (Maryland) who found the back of the net four times followed by three goals scored by Reese King (UNC) and one each from Reagan Schindler and Meaghan Tufano (Hofstra). In the net the future Penn Quaker Maya Farnan saved 9/19 shots.
Commack vs St. Anthony’s White
To conclude championship Sunday in the high school winter league it was the Commack Cougars and the 2027s of St. Anthony’s White for the A championship. This one was controlled by Commack as they outscored the Friars 8-3 in the first half and 7-2 in the second half to win the championship by a score of 15-5. Commack’s upperclassmen delivered big games with Amelia Brite (FSU) leading the way with five goals and an assist along with two ground balls and a caused turnover. Aubrey Maurer (UConn) added four goals and was 4/6 on the draw circle while Emily Parisi (Sacred Heart) scored twice. The Cougars also got one goal each from Leah Cohen, Ashley Arizonis, Sarah Franke and Lili Pettit (Stony Brook). St. Anthony’s was led in scoring by Keira Steck with a hat-trick and one goal each by Beau Davi and Estes Mihos to round out the offense.