Girls Soccer: Tough Loss To Hicksville

Score: Hicksville 3, Port Washington 2

Records: Port Washington 1-1-0 (0-1-0); Hicksville 2-0-1 (2-0-0)

The Hero: Hicksville's Marissa Mertens was on every ball – or so it seemed. The senior midfielder attacked with heavy aggression and even put one in the net at the 57-minute mark. Mertens remained one of the most physical competitors throughout the match-up and played a huge factor in the Hicksville team's win.

The Turning Point: Halftime was clearly the turning point for the Comets. After no score in the first 40 minutes, Hicksville came out with new fire. They pounced for three goals and made the Vikings uneasy throughout the first 70 minutes.

The Quote: "The girls know they can play at this level now," said Head Coach Lauren Bishar. "I think they were a little surprised that we can compete. It's a high level and now they realize they can stay in the game against anybody."

The Bottom Line: From the opening minute, excitement was in the air, but a crowd of at least one hundred were deflated by Hicksville's lead. Many stuck around for forward Kaitlyn Brown's game changing goal at the 70-minute mark. Quickly followed was a penalty kick that Emily Rosenthal struck toward the left corner at the seventy-third minute when senior Ava Cotlowitz was pushed inside the box. Then, in the final two minutes of play, Kaitlyn Brown pulled a crossover against a Hicksville defender. She stepped up with her left foot and smacked it with her right. "Unlucky. That's all: unlucky," Coach Bishar said.

Key Stat: The Vikings scored two goals in the last 10 minutes of play, but that still wasn't enough to defeat the Comets. 

Who's Next? Sept. 22, Port Washington @ Plainview-JFK

Conference II League Play

Hicksville..........…........…..…0……3 – 3

Port Washington.…………...0….…2 – 2

HICK - Lauren Miles

HICK - Marissa Mertens

HICK - Amanda Dilorenzo

PW – Kaitlyn Brown

PW – Emily Rosenthal