New Hyde Park Takes Port Washington in Field Hockey, 6-0

The Vikings played a spirited match against New Hyde Park in the Class A Semi Finals in Port Washington on Tuesday. However, the match ended with a score of 6-0, in favor of New Hyde Park.

Christina Commons showed dedication and tenacity the entire match and continued to regain possession of the ball from New Hyde Park and move it downfield. That opened up the team for offensive opportunities. Coach Joe Lederer remarked that Commons was one of the standout players of the entire match. With the team's 9-5 record, Commons has continued to motivate the team sometimes during the toughest matches. "As a junior, Christina received All County Honors this year," Lederer said. Undoubtedly, she will continue to grow and progress as a player. 

During the second half of the game Port Washington shifted its focus to defensive plays. Still, New Hyde Park scored four goals, despite the Vikings best efforts.

"New Hyde Park has an older team – they have all senior starters," Lederer noted. This would explain the advantage of speed and technicality of the New Hyde Park players.

After the score reached 4-0, Port Washington's Ariana Spagna sustained an injury when in a scuffle for the ball, she fell and landed on her neck. That led to a dramatically silent three minute period where neither the team nor coach knew whether the injury were critical or minor. Her eventual removal from the game was disappointing, as Spagna, a junior who received All Conference honors, was vital to Port Washington's offensive plays. 

New Hyde Park was the seasoned team, with older, all-senior starting opponents who were expert on the field. Such was the case with the first score against Port Washington's Spagna who attempted to gain possession of the ball, though was unable, given the four New Hyde Park players around her. The first goal was inevitably scored against Port. 

Port Washington gave up four additional goals during the second half.

"We were disappointed because we won our game versus [New Hyde Park] earlier in the season," Lederer said. "However, they are an older team of all senior starters.  We are young, in fact we started six sophomores this year...we will be back next year with pretty much the same team [but] more experienced."

Though Port is now out of the playoffs, the Vikings put in a good effort, and making it to the Class A Semifinals is an achievement that should make these athletes proud.

Friday's Playoffs: Boys Volleyball

On Friday, Port Washington boys volleyball takes on powerhouse Massapequa in the semifinals in Roslyn at 4:30 p.m. The last time the two teams squared off, in a five game thriller. Last spring, Port had lost a five-game match to Massapequa in The Nassau County Class A final.

Patch will be at the semi-finals on Friday. Be sure to check back later for the story.