Bayport Girls Soccer Loses In County Final

Anyone questioning why it’s called “sudden death” need only to have seen the Bayport-Blue Point girls soccer team following their loss to Islip on Wednesday night at Dowling College’s Brookhaven campus.

Battling for a Suffolk County Class A title, the Phantoms surrendered a game-tying goal with seconds remaining in the game. Then, after two 10-minute overtimes and a 5-minute sudden death, Islip’s winning goal with 2:44 left in the second sudden-death period sent the fifth-ranked Buccaneers into a celebration, and stunning the second-ranked Phantoms.

“It’s hard losing,” said Bayport captain Rebecca Raber, fighting the emotions that poured out from her teammates as they awaited their bus ride home.  “Both teams gave it their all.”

In a classic back-and-forth game, Bayport struck first when Kerrigan Miller’s cross was converted by Kaitlyn Leahy for a 1 – 0 lead late in the first half. But less than three minutes into the second half, Islip midfielder Morgan Santoro weaved her way through the Bayport defense and scored, tying the game. The teams traded scoring opportunities, but the game remained tied until Bayport’s Nicole Copping scored with 4:32 left.

Then with under 30 seconds remaining, an Islip shot was deflected by Bayport beyond the goal line. With players scrambling for position on the corner, Lauren Sparks headed the ball in with just 2.5 seconds remaining, sending the game into overtime, and eventually sending Bayport home on the short end of a 3 – 2 score.

“We left everything on the field,” Phantom coach Ryan Glick said. “I’m very proud of my team. From day one, they gave me everything they had.”

Of Glick’s 24 players, seven will be lost to graduation, five of them starters: midfielders Abigail Grappusso, Danielle Heyder, Mackenzie Miller and Raber, and goalie Mariah Valva.

“My season is over,” Raber said. “I wish [my teammates] all the best for next year. There’s a lot of talent on this team.”