This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Sports

Lady Phantoms Drop Playoff Opener

Lacking a scoring touch, Bayport-Blue Point is shut out by Islip, 3-0.

Any hopes for a long playoff run for the Bayport-Blue Point girls soccer team ended quickly and quietly on Tuesday. Facing perennial league contender Islip, the Phantoms dropped an opening-round 3-0 decision. With the loss, Bayport finishes 8-7-2 (8-4-2 in League VII), while Islip upped their record to 7-6-2 (6-3-2 in League V play).            

“Our team can shoot, we just can’t finish,” coach Russ McCormack said.             The Lady Phantoms had some early scoring chances, but came up empty in a contest that remained scoreless until Katie Hyland took a Morgan Santoro pass and drilled the ball into the back of the Bayport net with just over three minutes left in the half. There appeared to be miscommunication amongst Bayport players, and Hyland was left unmarked. Just two minutes later, more indecision inside the Phantom penalty area resulted in another Islip goal, this one by Santoro, who picked up a Paige Constantino lead pass when Bayport defenders hesitated.            

“There were breakdowns [inside the box],” McCormack said, “but it really happened outside the box.”            

Find out what's happening in Sayville-Bayportwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Phantoms could only muster two first-half shots on Buccaneer keeper Tara Mackey, who finished with seven saves in the shutout. Hyland’s second goal, 14 minutes into the second half, finished the scoring. Islip coach Mike Reilly brought in many of his reserves midway through the second half, which created several quality scoring chances for Bayport, but the Phantoms came away empty. “Mackey was outstanding,” Reilly said. “She stood up [to Bayport’s late offensive push].”            

Reilly’s team won 10 straight league titles until this year’s second-place finish. But their playoff dreams live on. For Bayport’s seniors, however, the loss was magnified by the fact that this was their last game together.            

Find out what's happening in Sayville-Bayportwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“I’m going to miss this. I’ve been playing on this team since the eighth grade,” said senior Katie Knapp. “All the friends I’ve made. It’s an honor playing with them.” Added senior Eva Strobl, “It’s been a great year. Everyone was focused.”            

In addition to Knapp and Strobl, other seniors who have played their last game for the Phantoms include Katie Jurlando, Cassie Sheehan, Sarah Painter, Julia Johnson, and Jenna Scardino. On the positive side, McCormack will have as many as 17 returnees next season as he looks to improve on what his team accomplished. “We were a little better,” McCormack said. “But we need to score more.”

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?