Sports

By Sabrina Artusa 

In Sarasota, Florida on June 14, the Friends of the Port Jefferson Rowing Club’s skulls skated over the water, surpassing rowers from across the nation to secure a spot among the country’s best. 

The U16 Women’s Coxed Quadruple Skulls team took home first in the B finals, making them ninth nationwide, while the U17 Boys Doubles won first in the D finals. 

For the quad, the 2,000-meter race was a steady battle, steeped in strategy. Tatiana Garrison (15), Elizabeth Smith (13), Delilah Rosenthal-Vincenti (14), Mia Judex (12) and coxswain Isabella Bustamante (14) practiced twice a day in the weeks between winning the New York State Scholastic Rowing Championships in Saratoga Springs on May 14 and the US Rowing Youth National Championships a month later. Watching their steady progress in the race and their final sprint that took them over the finish line almost six seconds before the Maritime Rowing Club, Assistant Coach Hannah Smith could not contain her pride.  

Smith knew the athletes overcame many challenges to get to Nationals, including Elizabeth Smith’s bout with the flu, windy conditions and a faulty boat rack that caused damage to the boats only weeks before Nationals. “When I saw them going to the finish line way ahead it brought me to tears because it was so exciting to watch,” she said. “I am not a crier.”

Despite it all, the athletes got up before school for their 5 a.m. practices and showed up at the water after school to practice once more, pushing their muscles – and grip strength – to the maximum. 

Once they arrived at Nationals, they knew they belonged there. Tough interval sessions of 90 seconds at race pace, 10 seconds of rest or five minutes at race pace, repeated, set the team up for success. Smith helped the girls practice “a lot of fast, technical” rowing the month before leaving for Florida.

Judex, Rosenthal-Vincenti and Bustamante are novices – new within the year – but took to the oars well. The assistant coach said the team’s “strength is really in their bond together” and sets them apart from the competition. “They are all really good friends, they support each other and they push each other too.” 

 “We were all excited and nervous at the same time while training on Long Island,” Judex said. “But, when we got there, we felt honored to be competing among the best in the country.” 

“I felt prepared,” Elizabeth Smith said. “I knew we had practiced a lot after we qualified at States and I knew our boat had improved.” 

The team started slower, preparing for the progressive performance they had planned. “We continued to get faster throughout the race while the other boats got slower,” Elizabeth Smith said.

They continued getting faster, ensuring that any challengers, including Pittsford Crew, the team’s rival in the state championship, didn’t get the chance to pass. With 1,000 meters to go, the team was ahead, but mostly even with the Maritime Rowing Club. Then, they entered the sprint. 

In the last two minutes, the Port Jefferson Rowing Club made “a statement,” as the announcer said, as their boat pierced through the water, each stroke expanding the distance between them and Maritime Rowing Club. 

“We knew that so much was at stake to place in the top 10 in the USA,” Judex said. “A combination of adrenaline and sheer determination and desire for that ninth place pushed us over the finish line.” 

The U17 Doubles, manned by Antonio Bustamante (15) and Tommy Hyams (15) secured 25th in the nation. 

“Tommy and I were intense with our prep and showed our hearts and progress in this race,” Bustamante said. “We came from behind to take a massive lead and then dug deep to sprint across the finish line. We finished strong and this shows just how much we’ve grown this season.” 

“They ended with a huge lead,” Smith said. Indeed, the pair came out around 35 seconds ahead of the second-place finisher. 

The Friends of Port Jefferson Rowing Club is a nonprofit organization for athletes of nearly all ages. 

By Bill Landon

Having finished the regular season atop the league VI leaderboard at 17-2, the Miller Place Panthers returned to familiar territory, landing in the post season as the No. 1 seed in the Suffolk County Class A playoff bracket. 

A year ago, Miller Place battled their way to the New York State Class A championship but fell in the final round to claim the runner up position. The Panthers, a young team that lost no seniors to graduation last season, returned determined to capture the NYS championship title.

That road began with a shutout win to Islip in the quarterfinal round, then defeating Bayport Blue Point in the semifinal round. Followed by a victory over Kings Park for the county title, they punched  their ticket to the Long Island Championship round where they blanked Mineola 3-0.

Miller Place advanced to the southeast regional final against Marlboro Central, the very team the Panthers lost to in last years’ final round. Avenging their previous loss, they charted a 6-5 victory on June 6. Finally, the  state semifinal round at Greenlight Networks Grand Slam Park in Binghamton took place on June 13, where they would face section IV champion Maine-Endwell. 

Miller Place did not allow a single run in their march to the championship title, blanking Maine-Endwell 4-0 then Williamsville South the section VI champion 3-0, capturing the very first NYS championship title in Panther history.

The Panthers triumphantly returned to the High School Saturday night to a hero’s welcome when they were met by the Miller Place community, well-wishers and fellow students. 

Photos by Bill Landon

Photo from Stony Brook Athletics

Stony Brook University Director of Athletics Shawn Heilbron named Jim Martin the new head coach of the Stony Brook baseball program, as announced on June 12.

“We are thrilled to elevate Jim to the role of head coach and believe that he is the ideal choice to carry forward the extraordinary legacy left by coach Senk,” said Heilbron. “During his time here, Jim has demonstrated outstanding leadership, a deep knowledge of the game and a true commitment to our student-athletes on and off of the field. His understanding of the program’s culture and his vision for the future will undoubtedly position us to compete for CAA championships while maintaining the standard of excellence for Stony Brook baseball.”

Martin has served as the Seawolves’ associate head coach since 2017, playing a vital role in the program’s success. During his tenure, Stony Brook captured an America East Tournament title, earned a berth to the NCAA Baton Rouge Regional, and claimed three consecutive America East Regular Season championships. Martin becomes the second head coach in Stony Brook baseball’s Division I history, following the retirement of legendary skipper Matt Senk after 35 seasons.

“It’s an incredibly proud moment for me to see Jimmy Martin become the next head coach of Stony Brook baseball. Jimmy has been by my side for years – not just as a coach, but as a trusted friend and someone who truly loves this program as much as I do. He’s poured his heart into our student-athletes and understands the values and traditions that make Stony Brook baseball so special,” former head coach Matt Senk said. “Knowing that the program is in his hands gives me great comfort and pride. I can’t wait to watch him lead this next chapter with the same passion, integrity, and commitment that has always defined our team.”

Martin has been at the heart of one of the program’s most decorated eras. Under his guidance, the Seawolves won three America East Regular Season titles (2019, 2021, 2022), reached the 2019 NCAA Tournament, and posted multiple 30-win seasons. Since Stony Brook joined the CAA in 2023, Martin has led the Stony Brook offense to new heights. In 2025, the Seawolves recorded their highest batting average and on-base percentage since joining the CAA. Home run totals soared from 26 in 2024 to 69 in 2025, and the team also notched program highs in stolen bases and extra-base hits as a CAA member. The team also led the conference in double plays turned and ranked third in fielding percentage.

I am incredibly honored, humbled, and thankful to be named the next head baseball coach at Stony Brook University,” said coach Martin. “This program means so much to me, and I’m truly grateful to Director of Athletics Shawn Heilbron and our entire department for believing in me and giving me the chance to lead a team and university that I care so deeply about. I also want to thank Coach Senk – his leadership, mentorship, and friendship have had a profound impact on me, both personally and professionally. It’s a privilege to follow in his footsteps and continue the incredible legacy he’s built over the past 35 years. Lastly, I want to thank my family for their constant love, support, and sacrifice. I’m excited for this next chapter and can’t wait to get to work with our players, alumni, and supporters as we strive to uphold the standards of excellence that make Stony Brook Baseball so special.”

A developer of talent on and off the field, Martin has helped numerous Seawolves reach the professional ranks and national acclaim. He mentored MLB Draft picks Bobby Honeyman (2018, Mariners), Aaron Pinto (2018, Indians), Michael Wilson (2019, Brewers), and Nick Grande (2019, Diamondbacks). Under his tutelage, Evan Fox became the program’s all-time stolen base leader and Erik Paulsen became a semifinalist for the John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award and also became the first player in program history to earn All-America honors from four publications.

Martin’s player development resume includes Nick Grande (Brooks Wallace Award finalist and America East Player of the Year), Chris Hamilton (America East Championship Tournament MVP), Toby Handley and Evan Giordano (America East Players of the Year), Brendan Pattermann (2023–24 CAA Leadership and Sports Excellence Award recipient), Erik Paulsen (CAA Rookie of the Year) and Nico Azpilcueta, the 2025 CAA leader in home runs and RBI.

Before joining the Seawolves, Martin spent three seasons at the University of Rhode Island – two as an assistant coach (2015-16) and one as associate head coach (2016-17). Off the field, he helped the Rams achieve their highest team GPA in five years. On the field, URI reached the A-10 Championship final after being picked last in the Atlantic 10 preseason poll. In 2016, they captured the regular season and tournament titles, earning the program’s first NCAA Tournament win with a victory over South Carolina in the Columbia Regional. URI followed that up in 2017 with a second-place finish in the A-10 and wins over nationally ranked NC State and Arkansas.

While at URI, Martin coached New England Player of the Year Chris Hess and slugger Mike Corin, who hit a program-record 19 home runs in 2017. He also developed three MLB Draft picks: Chase Livingston (2016, Royals), Chris Hess (2017), and Martin Figueroa (2017).

Martin previously served as head coach at Division II Merrimack College (2011-14), where he turned a 14-win team into a 30-win contender. The 2013 squad finished 30-19, one of the best records in program history. That year, he coached All-American Casey Cotter and Academic All-American Joe Mantoni, who was selected in the 2013 MLB Draft. In 2014, six Warriors earned Northeast-10 All-Conference honors, including Frank Crinella, the NE-10 Player of the Year and Merrimack’s first-ever NCBWA East Region Player of the Year.

Martin began his coaching career at Saint Anselm (2006) and later spent five seasons as an assistant at Southern Connecticut State (2007-11), where he recruited back-to-back NE-10 Rookies of the Year and helped the team to a 21-5 regular-season record in 2010. That team reached the NCAA East Region final and was ranked as high as No. 13 nationally.

As a player, Martin starred at St. John’s University, batting .303 with 32 doubles and 91 RBI over four seasons. A two-time BIG EAST Academic All-Star, he helped the Red Storm to a 136-91 record, two NCAA Tournament appearances (2004-05), and a BIG EAST regular-season title in 2005. He was named Third Team All-BIG EAST as a senior and earned his degree in education.

The first-place winning photo by Steven Zaitz at the Press Club of Long Island Awards.

By TBR staff

TBR News Media won its first two Press Club of Long Island awards in the history of the organization on June 5, as photographer and sportswriter Steven Zaitz won both first and second place for Best Sports Photography.

Steven Zaitz at the Press Club of Long Island awards ceremony. Photo courtesy Steven Zaitz

Competing with Long Island multimedia behemoth and 10th largest paper in the U.S., Newsday, Zaitz’s two photos, named “Laxing Gravity” and “Loose Ball Blues”, took gold and silver in the category. A winner of 15 New York Press Association awards, 13 for photography and two for Sportswriter of the Year since 2020, Zaitz was ecstatic to have been able to not only win against the stiff competition, but win twice.

“I was shocked because Newsday has so many talented photographers and their high school sports coverage is so good and voluminous,” Zaitz said. “Plus, there are so many quality papers and photographers in addition to Newsday that win consistently at NYPA, so I’m honored to have won both of these prizes. I am also thrilled for our organization and hope that this is just the first two of many for TBR News Media.”

The contest was judged by the San Diego Society of Professional Journalists and took place at The Fox Hollow country club in Woodbury. Many recognizable Long Island media stars were on hand, as Antoinette Biordi and Shari Einhorn, both of News12 Long Island, hosted and took turns calling out the winners. National baseball writer and Newsday-based David Lennon won first place for Best Sport Feature about a Hofstra alumna and professional baseball umpire Jen Pawol, and Newsday TV reporter Virginia Huie won nine awards in total, including top prize for the prestigious Video Reporter of the Year award.

John Hildebrand, senior education writer for Newsday; Ellen Mitchell, a reporter for WCBS Newsradio; and Timothy Bolger, the editor-in-chief of both the Long Island Press and Dan’s Papers, were inducted into the Long Island Journalism Hall of Fame during this year’s ceremony.

The second-place winning photo by Steven Zaitz at the Press Club of Long Island Awards.

Held since 1982, the PCLI awards ceremony has recognized excellence in Long Island journalism for over 40 years and they hand out several scholarships to high school content creators. The Stony Brook Statesman won gold for Best College Newspaper and The Stony Brook Press won top prize for Best Magazine — an award that is open to all Long Island publications, professional as well as student-run entities. Overall, Stony Brook University won 17 PCLI awards.

Zaitz’s top two photos ran on the front page of The Times of Huntington on April 18, 2024, and Feb. 8, 2024 respectively. Laxing Gravity depicts Northport High School boys lacrosse player Logan Cash lifted out of the air and sandwiched belligerently by two opposing Ward Melville High School players. Loose Ball Blues was taken at the Commack High School gym during the fourth quarter of an intense boys basketball game. Evan Kay of Commack, currently a pitcher on the Stony Brook University baseball team, and Northport’s Brendan Fenlon, who starred for the Tigers hoops and volleyball teams, are at each other’s throats to corral a loose ball. The judges commented only on Zaitz’s first-place winner:

“In an extremely competitive category, the winner had it all: artful composition, color, and focus, resulting in a photo that captured the movement and physical, as well as sporting and visual impact of the moment.”

Zaitz’s approach has stayed consistent over his career, always searching for angles that offer a fresh perspective.

“My process during a game shoot is to look for a vantage point that is not often seen,” said Zaitz, who has been a freelancer for TBR for five years. “I make educated guesses on where I think the highest drama is likely to take place and I am constantly moving around, searching for the best light, or background, or emotion.”

TBR News Media Publisher and Editor in Chief Leah S. Dunaief is proud that the paper now has Long Island recognition to go along with its long history of success at the New York State level.

“Steven Zaitz makes us proud to feature his photography, both for its action and professionalism,” Dunaief said. “He not only captures the right moment but also the human striving that makes his pictures glow.”

Jillian Scully with Bill Hiney (left) and Miller Place head track coach Brian Manghan (right) at Comsewogue High School after she set a discus record with a throw of 184 feet and 2 inches. Photo courtesy Despina Scully

By Daniel Dunaief

At competitions in which she sets new marks for excellence, Jillian Scully surpasses everything but her own expectations.

In the last few weeks of her senior year of high school in Miller Place, Scully, 18, has bested the previous state record for throws in the discus, which held for 33 years, no fewer than three times, and hopes to do so again in her few remaining meets.

On June 5 at Comsewogue High School in the state qualifiers, Scully defied gravity and distance yet again, propelling the discus 10 feet further than her record-shattering throw from just a few weeks earlier. Scully now owns the top three longest throws in the state and has the current top rank in the country in high school discus.

Bill Hiney, who has been working with Scully for four years, recognized that her effort last week had the potential to set another record “as soon as I saw the height and as soon as I saw how fast it came out of her hand.”

Indeed, Hiney shot his arms up in the air while officials scampered to measure the distance.

Officials were “running backwards to put the mark down,” said Hiney, who is the Assistant Track and Field Coach during the winter and spring season at Southold High School.

“I’m thinking, ‘Oh, this is big,’” Hiney said. Hiney yelled to make sure they used steel rather than cloth tape to ensure that they captured the distance accurately. “Steel tape will give you a straighter line.”

So, what does someone who has set a new state record that had stood for over three decades and then reset it twice in the following few weeks do?

Goes back to practicing, as she spent the first weekend after throwing the eighth furthest American high school throw in history working with Hiney.

“I love throwing,” said Scully. “It’s something I excel at. Everyone is so nice. It’s helped me so much to become the person I am.”

An emotional hurdle

Indeed, track and field and, in particular, the discus and the shot put has helped her overcome a generalized anxiety disorder that she’s battled since she was five years old.

“I’ve had difficulty socializing,” said Scully, who recalled the early years when she “kept to myself and was nervous to speak to people or meet new people.”

Scully suggested that her struggles with anxiety peaked during Covid, which added to her desire to self isolate and remove herself from some of her friendships.

Competing in track helped her emerge from a self-imposed social shell.

While larger groups gathered to speak with each other before relays or other events, throwers like Scully were often on their own.

“I thought, ‘Alright, I’m not going to sit in a corner and get on my phone. I’m going to get to know people.’ Throwers are very welcoming and friendly,” she said.

In the past year, Scully has probably only had one moment when she felt her anxiety climb to a level that might affect her performance.

“Once you find peace in yourself and you’re comfortable with who you are, your anxiety practically disintegrates,” she said.

Scully, who plans to join the track team at LSU this fall, is open to new experiences, new food and new opportunities.

When she sees people who are anxious and struggling, she goes up to them to offer encouragement and support.

“With throwers, everyone is checking on each other,” said Scully.

Support system

In addition to her parents James and Despina “Debbie” Scully, Jillian receives ongoing support from her maternal grandparents Helen and Emerson Vidal, who live a few doors away.

Every time she runs over to her support system after she sets a new personal record, which these days is also a state record, Scully receives different types of positive responses from her family members.

Her father, mother, and grandmother are the hugger, kisser and cryer, respectively.

“Dad won’t stop smiling,” Scully said.

Scully has three more competitions in which she can continue to surpass her high school record-breaking throws.

This coming weekend, she is participating in the state finals, while she also has under-20s and nationals.

Scully has set her sights on the US high school record of over 198 feet.

In practice, she’s thrown in the 190s and believes she might be able to hit that target before ending her high school career.

“After she blows us away with a throw, it takes a while to sink in,” said Debbie Scully. “Then, by the next day, it’s, ‘Okay, what’s next?’”

While college awaits in a few months, Scully’s support system recognizes she could represent the country at the Los Angeles Summer Olympics in 2028.

“We don’t put the pressure of the Olympics on her,” said James Scully. “We think about it and are excited about it, but we don’t want her to feel that we’re putting that on her. The next step is college and we’ll see where it goes.”

Everything Scully has done to this point has been amazing” and where she goes next is up to her, he added.

Andy Kokhanovsky, the throwing coach at LSU, has been tracking his future team member’s work and is pleased with her progress.

“She is doing a very, very good job,” said Kokhanovsky. “She’s very gifted. Her family did a great job raising her well. She works very hard and will achieve whatever she wants to achieve.”

Kokhanovsky is looking forward to working with Scully, who plans to major in engineering, on the throwing team. He suggested that she doesn’t have competition right now in the state, as she is outdistancing other competitors by as much as 50 feet or more.

“She’s very talented,” he added. “We want to have people like this.”

He believes her high level of organization will ensure a smooth transition to college. He’s encouraged to see this Long Island athlete sporting a cowboy hat in some of her social media posts, as she transitions to life in Louisiana.

Kokhanovsky, who competed in the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, suggested that the athletes who participated in the sport do it for passion and pride, as the work opens doors to other opportunities

Jillian Scully, at a glance

• Number of times she’s broken the 

  state discus record: 3

• Number of remaining competitions: 3

• National High School Discus Rank: 1

• Rank for furthest high school discus

  throw: 8

• Age: 18

• Height: 6’1”

• Weight: 185

• College choice: LSU

• Favorite food: blackened chicken 

  with rice

• Favorite book: “Hidden Pictures” 

  by Jason Rekulak

• Favorite saying: Help yourself

• Favorite indulgence: Trolli gummy   

  worms

• Favorite color: Burgundy

 

By Bill Landon

The Miller Place Panthers softball team made it look easy with a 3-0 shutout win over Nassau champion Mineola at Farmingdale State College to capture their second consecutive Long Island Class A championship on June 5.

Whether it was Breya Kesler’s two-out double to drive in two runs in the top of the third or Sadie Bryant’s RBI in the top of the sixth, the Panthers executed both on the field and behind the plate to hold Mineola scoreless. Pitching ace Ave Zicchinelli allowed just one hit. 

Zicchinelli, a senior, fanned eight batters to propel the Panthers for the second year in a row to the New York State regional final against Marlboro Central (section IX), on Sunday June 8 at the Martha Ave sports complex in Bellport. The win advanced the Panthers to the semi-final round on Tuesday where they made short work of Bayport-Blue Point with a 7-1 victory behind another stellar performance from Zicchinelli, who pitched a no hitter and fanned 13 batters.

The win propels the Panthers to the Suffolk Class A championship game on June 14 where they will face either Kings Park or a Bayport-Blue Point. First pitch is slated for 10:00 a.m.

–Photos by Bill Landon

Photo from Stony Brook University Athletics

The Stony Brook men’s basketball team is heading to Florida this fall as the Seawolves have been announced as a part of the field for the 2025 Sunshine Slam. The event will take place from November 24-25 at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach.

Tickets may be purchased in advance at Ticketmaster.com or on the day of competition at the Ocean Center box office.

Also competing in the event will be Florida Atlantic, George Mason, Loyola Marymount, and Ohio playing in the Beach bracket, while Bethune-Cookman, Jacksonville, and Pacific will join Stony Brook in the Ocean bracket.

The format for the Sunshine Slam will consist of a pair of semifinal round games in each bracket on November 24 and a championship and consolation game in each bracket on November 25. Champions will be crowned for both the Beach and Ocean brackets as well as all-tournament teams being announced for each. Match-ups and schedules will be announced at a later date.

Last November, in the 2024 Sunshine Slam, Clemson beat Penn State and San Francisco to win the Beach Bracket championship, while Radford took down Purdue Fort Wayne and Chicago State to win the Ocean bracket.

Photo from Stony Brook University Athletics

Stony Brook Athletics has officially announced the game themes for the 2025 football season at Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium. The Seawolves are set to host six home games this fall, beginning on Saturday, September 6, when they take on Rhode Island. Season tickets are on sale now, and single-game tickets will be available starting in July.

Each home game will feature a unique theme designed to enhance the gameday experience and engage the campus and local community. From celebrating Long Island pride to honoring local heroes, this year’s slate of themes offers something for everyone.

A full breakdown of the 2025 game themes is listed below:

Saturday, September 6th vs. Rhode Island – For the Island
Kickoff the season with a celebration of everything and everyone that makes Long Island special, bringing the community together to mark the start of another football season.

Saturday, September 13th vs. Fordham – Kids Day/High School Band Day
Kids will take over gameday when the Seawolves host Fordham. There will be several opportunities for kids to be part of the action along with fun activities including balloon artists, face painters, and more! 

High school bands are provided the opportunity to spend gameday alongside the Spirit of Stony Brook and perform on the field at halftime. 

Saturday, September 27th vs. Merrimack – Family Weekend/Educator Appreciation Day
The annual Family Weekend will welcome the families of Stony Brook students to campus for a weekend filled with activities, including CommUniversity Day and the Seawolves matchup with the Warriors. For more information on Family Weekend click here

Join us for Educator Appreciation Day as we celebrate local educators and all they do to inspire and guide the next generation. 

Saturday, October 25th vs. Towson – Homecoming/Wear Red
Past, present, and future Seawolves make their way to campus for the annual Homecoming game. Show your Stony Brook pride and wear red against the Tigers! More information on Homecoming can be found here.

Saturday, November 8th vs. North Carolina A&T – Heroes Day
Pay tribute to true heroes as the Seawolves take on the Aggies. From military personnel and first responders to healthcare workers, educators, and more, this game celebrates their service and dedication with special recognitions throughout the day.

Saturday, November 22nd vs. Bryant – Senior Day/Fan Appreciation Day
Join us in honoring this year’s senior class and their contributions to Stony Brook Football. An on-field ceremony will take place prior to kickoff. 

Fan Appreciation Day will honor you, the fans! As a thank you for supporting the Seawolves, fans will be eligible to win special giveaways, fan experiences, and more.

Bring your group out to Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium and enjoy the thrill of gameday, exclusive group benefits, and great discounted pricing to help create an unforgettable experience.Click here or contact the Stony Brook Athletics ticket office at 631-632-WOLF or [email protected] to get started. 
More information on each theme and ticket offers will be available throughout the offseason on social media and at StonyBrookAthletics.com.

By  Steven Zaitz

The Smithtown West girls lacrosse team won its first Suffolk County Class B championship in program history on May 31, beating Harborfields 12-9.

In  the entire slate of final games hosted  at home by Smithtown West High School, senior Kate Theofield scored five goals to lead the top-seeded Bulls, who burst out to 4-0 lead within the first seven minutes of the game.  Theofield had the first three of these and sophomore attacker Kaitlyn Mennella added another. 

Despite the early hole, the third-seeded Tornados did not let this one spin out of control.

Freshman midfielder Nora Ruddy took advantage of a free position opportunity and got Harborfields on the board with four minutes left in the opening quarter. 

Two Harborfields goals apiece by freshman Jamie Medico and senior Bella Monteleone made the score 6-5 in favor of West with a little more than four minutes remaining in the half.  At the break, Harborfields had made this title game a competitive one.

With Smithtown West leading 7-6 midway through the third quarter, Harborfields Goalkeeper Olivia Eusanio robbed Vanessa Pollina from directly in front of the goal mouth and  again on a free position shot, keeping the Tornado deficit at a skinny goal and giving the team in green from Greenlawn possession of the ball. 

But after some sloppy play, West goalkeeper Maribella Marciano picked up a ground ball behind her net and started a breakout. Kaitlyn Mennella’s sister, junior Ashley Mennella, finished it with her second goal of the game. Kaitlyn would score less than a minute later to make it 9-6 with 4:05 remaining in the third period. But Smithtown West, especially  Theofield, was not done.

She scored two goals to close out the quarter, one via free position and the other off a nifty diagonal pass from Ashely Mennella. The pair of third period tallies were Theofield’s fourth and fifth of the game, made the score 11-6, and effectively sealed the game – and the Suffolk crown – for the Bulls. After her fifth goal, she leaped high in the air behind the net and let out a joyful, primal scream, stoked that she put her team up by five.

Smithtown West (16-2), after losing in this Suffolk title game the previous in 2023 and 2024, finally knocked down the county’s championship door. They played Garden City (17-2), Nassau’s Class B champion on Tuesday, June 3 for the Long Island Championship at Adelphi University, which just so happens to be in Garden City.

Ruddy and Medico scored three goals apiece for Harborfields, who failed to make the playoffs in 2024, before reaching the finals. They finish the year at 11-7.

–Photos By Steven Zaitz

By Steven Zaitz

The hunt for a title is over. Huntington Union Free School District senior Jenna Italiano capped off a thrilling 8-7 sudden-death overtime win for the girls lacrosse team, defeating the defending champion Ward Melville High School Patriots. The win on May 31 gave the Lady Blue Devils their first Suffolk County crown in 30 years.

In a back-and-forth game under extremely windy conditions, Ward Melville raced out to a 3-1 lead when they scored a trio of goals in a 92-second span in the middle of the first quarter. But Huntington senior midfielder, and Italiano’s teammate on the Blue Devils basketball team, Sabrina Boyle beat the shot clock for a goal to close out the quarter and tighten the score at 3-2. Boyle cut from the far-right sideline across the field, ducked and spun away from multiple Patriots defenders and put the ball past Ward Melville freshman goalkeeper Sydney Millett as Boyle was being knocked to the ground.

The next three quarters would be a similar trade of haymakers.

Attacker Grace Gordon and Boyle would score early in the second quarter to flip the lead back to Huntington 4-3. This pair of markers for the Blue Devils represented the third lead change of the game. 

There would be more lead changes to come. 

Patriots defender Nori Korzenko created a turnover and flung a pass to midfielder Mia Modica racing through the center. On the dead run, Modica threw it to senior field hockey and lacrosse star Olivia Zummo at the right goal post. Zummo centered a pass across the circle to Nicole Manolakes. Manolakes, only in the eighth grade, whipped it past Huntington goalkeeper Juliet Johnson to tie the score at 5 with 5:18 left in the third quarter.

Patriots attacker Keira Pirozzi was checked in the head with 3:41 left in the period and scored the second free-position goal of the game to give Ward Melville a 6-5 lead. It would stay that way until 6:20 remained in the game when junior Gordon tied it at 6 for Huntington after she was fouled.

Aliya Leonard did the same for Ward Melville with 1:43 remaining, tying the game at 7 with a free-position goal. It was Leonard’s third goal of the game and it would be the last goal of regulation for either side.

Boyle, who injured her leg and briefly left the game in the first half, was quiet for a long stretch of the game thereafter. Ward Melville employed the defensive tactic known as the face guard on her, which puts a defender never more than a few inches away, stick waving in her face. 

This did not prevent Boyle from creating defense of her own — defense that would lead to the final scoring attack of the game.

After a timeout in the overtime session, Boyle intercepted a long, diagonal and ill-advised pass by Ward Melville defender Quinlan Heilbron and was then fouled by Pirozzi along the left sideline.

Pirozzi was sent off because she whacked Boyle around the head area, and when play resumed, Boyle lofted a cross-field pass to senior Devon St. John, who raced to her right about 20 yards away from the net. St. John spotted Italiano curling in front and snapped a perfect pass to her. Italiano caught the ball and, after a few quick dodges to her right, whistled it past Millett for the golden, game-winning, championship-clinching goal and an 8-7 win for Huntington. It was Italiano’s first shot attempt of the afternoon.

The Lady Blue Devils, who last won a county title in 1995, played Massapequa High School on Tuesday, June 3, at Adelphi University in Garden City. Huntington beat Northport High School in overtime on May 29 in the semifinal game, and in beating Ward Melville in the finals, the Blue Devils defeated the last two Suffolk County champions from 2023 and 2024. Massapequa has won the past two Long Island Class A championships.

— Photos by Steven Zaitz