11-1-08 NSCHSAA Final: Sacred Heart 2-1 L

The Friars saw their season end on Saturday.

After a scoreless first half, second-seeded Sacred Heart erupted for two goals to outlast No. 1 St. Anthony’s, 2-1, in the Nassau-Suffolk CHSAA girls soccer final Saturday at Adelphi. The Friars (14-5-2) lost in the final one year after winning the state CHSAA title.

Sacred Heart opened scoring off a corner kick. The Friars responded just nine minutes into the second half off a goal by the Jennifer Meier.

The Trojans struck for a 2-1 lead with 27 minutes left. There was plenty of time for the Friars to regroup, and opportunities were there, according to coach Dave Prutting. St. Anthony’s — which played Sacred Heart to a 2-2 tie and a 4-0 win during the regular season — simply couldn’t convert in the final.

“It’s a good season,” Prutting said. “I think we had the talent to have a great season. We came out flat in the final and couldn’t get on track.”

This is Sacred Heart’s second title in three seasons, both at the expense of St. Anthony’s.

10-29-08 NSCHSAA Semifinal 4-0 W

Jennifer Meier had a goal and assist.

After a quiet but cold first half, No. 1 St. Anthony’s heated up. The result was a 4-0 win over No. 4 St. Francis Prep in the Nassau-Suffolk CHSAA girls soccer semifinal on Wednesday night at Cy Donnelly Field in South Huntington.

Junior striker Rachel Nuzzelese, back from a hamstring injury, helped her teams shake off a 12-day layoff with three second-half goals and an assist. Senior Jennifer Meier, who scored three times in the regular season finale, came back with a goal and assist against St. Francis Prep.

Nuzzelese battled through the St. Francis Prep defense and five midfielders to score on a through ball from Kerri Shannon two minutes into the second half to make it 1-0. She struck again in the 51st minute and the rout was on.

Senior goalkeeper Shannon Cosgrove made three saves to record the shutout.

The Friars (14-4-2), in the league final for the 19th time in the last 21 years, will play for the title at 4:30 p.m. Saturday at Adelphi.

 
SCORING
TEAMS………………….1…..2 — FINAL
St. Francis Prep……….0…..0 — 0
St. Anthony’s…………..0…..4 — 4
GOALS — SA: Nuzzelese 3, Meier.
SAVES — SFP: Pratesi 7; SA: Cosgrove 3.

State Girls Soccer Rankings

2008 New York State
Girls Soccer Poll by
NYSSCOGS
Week No. 7 (Oct. 20-26)
Class AA
1:    13-0-3        Massapequa-8
2:    18-0-0        Union-Endicott-4
3:    14-0-0        East Islip-11
4:    19-0-0        Bethlehem-2
5:    17-0-0        John Jay EF-1
6:    18-1-0        Baldwinsville-3
7:    14-1-1        Horace Greeley-1
8:    14-1-1        Greece Athena-5
9:    12-2-2        LI St. Anthony’s-CHS
10:    13-1-1        Connetquot-11
11:    14-2-2        Aquinas-5
12:    16-1-3        Kenmore West-6
13:    16-2-0        CBA-3
14:    10-4-3        Vestal-4
15:    13-4-2        Ballston Spa-2
16:    13-2-1        Brockport-5
17:    7-0-0         East Islip-11
18:    13-4-2        Niskayuna-2
19:    15-1-0        Warwick-9
20:    13-3-0        North Rockland-1
20:    12-5-2        Shenendehowa-2

High-Flying Defender

Ariana Aston is the last line of defense.

BY JASON MOLINET

Ariana Aston walked into an area Petco store not long ago and fell in love with a parrot. A Green-cheeked Conure to be precise.

It’s a South American tree-top bird that stands all of 10 inches tall and can live 30 years.

Today, it’s a member of the family. It knows everyone by name – yes, it can talk. Squeaky the parrot even laughs a lot like Aston’s father, Jeff.

In many ways, Aston’s soccer season has unfolded in the same way. She went from under the radar to central figure on the Friars girls soccer team, which just clinched the regular-season Nassau-Suffolk CHSAA title and top seed in the playoffs.

Iconic St. Anthony’s girls coach Dave Prutting had heard good things about Aston as a freshman on the junior varsity a year ago. But he never saw her play until August tryouts and didn’t plan to promote such a young player to the varsity.

Aston made quite an impression. The sophomore from East Setauket didn’t just land a roster spot, she’s the sweeper, the last line of defense for the 13-4-2 Friars.

“She runs the defense and reads the game really well from the back,’’ Prutting said. “I can’t say enough good things about her. We wouldn’t be where we are without her back there.”

Aston was a midfielder on St. Anthony’s championship junior varsity last season. She had played defense in the past and hated it. But in the last year she’s been asked to play back and the position has grown on her.

“There are moments when I need to make the big save,’’ said Aston, her voice betraying her excitement.

What makes Aston perfectly suited to be a sweeper is best understood by stepping away from the soccer field for a moment. Aston ran indoor track last winter, specializing in the 200 and 400 meters, as well as the hurdles. That’s right, Aston is flat out fast – and nimble.

“They are usually the last line of defense they have to anticipate,’’ Prutting said. “They have to be all over the field, strong stamina and good speed. They are going against the fastest players on the other team. She definitely has it all.”

Aston and the Friars’ defense came up big in the finale against Sacred Heart Academy last week. The teams played to a 2-2 tie earlier in the season. In the rematch, Sacred Heart managed just five shots on goals as St. Anthony’s took a 4-0 win.

It’s been quite a year for Aston. It started with the added responsibility of a new pet. Now she’s helping take care of an entire team.

“When I tried out my dad and I expected to make the JV,’’ Aston said. “It was awesome to make the varsity.

“I think it’s a strong defense. We haven’t been scored on many times. I love the girls back there.’’

10-17-08 SACRED HEART 4-0 W

Jennifer Meier scores on a penalty kick against Sacred Heart.

BY JASON MOLINET

Jennifer Meier stands all of 5 feet. When she’s running wild on the soccer field, sometimes the only glimpse of her you’ll see in the midst of a scrum is her long blond shock of hair waving like a flag.

But Meier, as she has so many other times this season for the St. Anthony’s girls soccer team, plays bigger than anyone else on the field. The Friars needed a total effort and Meier delivered a command performance, scoring three goals to power the host Friars past Sacred Heart Academy, 4-0, on Friday night in a battle for first place in the Nassau-Suffolk CHSAA.

With under-17 National Team player and teammate Rachel Nuzzelese sidelined with a hamstring injury, Meier provided the offense. The junior forward from Sayville scored her first career hat trick and helped the Friars (13-4-2 overall, 12-1-2 CHSAA) earn the top seed in the playoffs.

“It was senior day,’’ Meier said. “We wanted it so much. It was a night game and we were up for it.’’

She got things started with 15 minutes left in the first half, taking a pass from junior Kate Greer, beating her defender down the right side and firing far corner for a 1-0 edge.

Meier was dragged down just outside the box minutes later. She beat the Sacred Heart keeper to the left on a penalty shot that gave St. Anthony’s a 2-0 lead with 8:54 left.

Cassie Muzik, a junior midfielder from Massapequa, made it 3-0 with 12:46 left in the game. She placed a picture-perfect ball between a defender riding her hip and the fast-charging keeper.

Meier added her third goal — 15th of the year — to finish off scoring with 3:48 left.

“She’s been our leading scorer,” said Friars longtime coach Dave Prutting.

It’s been an imperfect season for a program accustomed to greatness. After all, last fall’s version of the Friars finished undefeated and ranked second nationally.

Injuries to some key personnel have forced Prutting to juggle his lineup and infuse some youth. Yet the Friars are still on pace to win the state CHSAA title for the 18th time in 21 years.

The Friars went a long way toward reclaiming their place at the top Friday night at Cy Donnelly Field. The last time they faced rival Sacred Heart, the teams played to a 2-2 tie. The Spartans (12-1-2) came into South Huntington with a one-game lead in the standings and an opportunity to lock up the top seed.

Instead, St. Anthony’s knocked Sacred Heart from its perch and took the top seed for itself.

The platoon in the net helped. Senior Shannon Cosgrove played the entire first half and senior Caroline Bond spelled her in the second. They combined for five saves and the shutout.

Now St. Anthony’s has 12 days before the semifinals Oct. 29. That’s a lot of time to get healthy and keep getting better as a group. Nuzzelese might even return. If that happens, St. Anthony’s might be an even tougher team to knock off when it matters most.

10-15-08 HOLY TRINITY 1-1 T

Nassau-Suffolk CHSAA girls soccer game against Holy Trinity. St. Anthony’s played to 1-1 tie.

10-9-08 @St. Francis Prep 3-1 W

Nassau-Suffolk CHSAA girls soccer game at St. Francis Prep. Makeup game. St. Anthony’s won, 3-1.

10-8-08 ST. FRANCIS PREP 3-1 W

Nassau-Suffolk CHSAA girls soccer game against St. Francis Prep. St. Anthony’s won, 3-1.

10-7-08 OLMA 4-0 W

Nassau-Suffolk CHSAA girls soccer game against Our Lady of Mercy Academy. St. Anthony’s won, 4-0.

10-6-08 @St. John the Baptist 4-0 W

Nassau-Suffolk CHSAA girls soccer game at St. John the Baptist. St. Anthony’s won, 4-0.

Next Page »