Sports

By Steven Zaitz

A tale of two halves ended with the CoA tale of two halves ended with the Commack girls soccer team having the best of times. For the Northport Lady Tigers, not so much.

With a start time of high noon on a blustery Halloween, the home Cougars scored against a strong westerly wind when striker Elena Dean put one past Northport keeper K.K. Howard with six minutes left in the second half.

The goal gave the third-seeded Cougars a 2-1 victory in the Suffolk AAA quarterfinal. Northport, the sixth seed, finished with an impressive 10-4-3 record, exiting in the quarterfinal round for the second consecutive year.

Each team dominated the half in which they had the wind advantage.

With the game scoreless as the first half wound down, Commack’s Breanna Mender launched a twisting, diagonal shot from 20 yards that eluded the outstretched glove of Northport goalkeeper Cara DeMarco. It found the top corner of the net, giving Commack a 1-0 lead at the half. DeMarco splits time in goal with Howard for Northport.

In the second half, Northport quickly pressured Commack keeper Olivia Bezmalinovic’s goal.

When the Tigers were awarded a corner kick in the 53rd minute, they capitalized. Northport striker Ava DeMarco took the corner from Finnley Wickard and fired a shot off the crossbar. Northport’s Brooke Heffernan and Bezmalinovic both went for the rebound, and as the Cougar keeper tried to secure the ball, Heffernan’s head, neck, and shoulder jostled it loose and powered it into the net.

As Heffernan and her teammates celebrated, Bezmalinovic lay briefly dazed near her net and had to leave the game. She returned minutes later, but Northport had secured its equalizer.

With the aid of Howard’s booming, wind-aided goal kicks, Northport maintained control for much of the second half but couldn’t get the go-ahead goal. With 5:19 left, Dean slipped behind the Tigers’ defense and fired a shot that Howard got a hand on but couldn’t stop. Commack had its game-winner.

After beating North Babylon on Nov. 2, the Lady Cougars played the mighty state champion and number one seed, Ward Melville on Tuesday, Nov. 5 for the Suffolk County AAA title. Ward Melville won by a score of 3-1 to win their second straight county title.  Photo by Steven Zaitz.

By Bill Landon

Newfield was thirsty for a win on senior recognition day when the team hosted West Babylon, but the Wolverines would go unquenched, falling 21-12 in their season finale Saturday, Nov. 2.

After a four-minute sustained drive by the Eagles that yielded no points, Newfield’s Matthew Evers threw deep to Gavin Smith on a 50-yard pass play that went the distance for the touchdown. Newfield’s two point-conversion failed.

West Babylon scored two unanswered touchdowns before Evers found Smith again, and a 42-yard strike was good enough for the score. With another failed conversion, the Wolverines trailed the Eagles 14-12 at the half.

West Babylon struck again in the third quarter but Newfield was unable to answer as their offense struggled to gain traction the rest of the way.

Newfield concluded their 2024 campaign with a 5-3 record in Division II.

— Photos by Bill Landon 

By Bill Landon

It was a twist of fate that the Thomas Cutinella Memorial Field was selected as the venue for the girls soccer finals before the season began. As a result, the Shoreham-Wading River girls soccer team had a home field advantage in the Suffolk County Class A soccer final Tuesday night, Nov. 5. 

Mia Mangano had a shot on goal that just missed eight minutes into the second half, but the Shoreham-Wading River junior capitalized on the rebound courtesy of an assist from sophomore Stamatia Almiroudis to put the Wildcats ahead 1-0 against Sayville.

It would be all the Wildcats needed to punch their ticket to the Long Island championship round Sunday, Nov. 10, at Farmingdale State College.

It was the Wildcats third straight county championship and their goal is to return to the New York State finals. 

Shoreham-Wading River will face the Nassau winner of the North Shore vs. Wantagh final. 

— Photos by Bill Landon 

By Bill Landon

The Port Jefferson girls volleyball team began their 2024 campaign back on Sept. 4 with a 3-0 shutout over Mattituck and never looked back, finishing their regular season at 16-0-0 in League VII. But the Royals record doesn’t tell the whole story. Not only did they go undefeated, but in all 16 of those victories they did so by sweeping their opponents 3-0, not having lost a single set all season.

The Lady Royals would square off again against Mattituck in the Suffolk County Class C championship game Tuesday, Nov. 4, in what would be their third meeting of the season.

The Royals did what they’ve done all season beating the Tuckers convincingly in the opening set 25-10, putting the second set away 25-12 seemingly not having broken a sweat. The third set would be different when Mattituck gave the Royals a run for their money and tied the score at 23-23 forcing a timeout. With the perfect season in jeopardy Port Jeff won the next point and Mattituck miscued on the following volley to give the Royals another 3-0 sweep.

Port Jefferson’s Ava Reilly, a sophomore, reached a career milestone notching her 1,000th assist, recording 36 on the day. McKayla Pollard, a junior, was in top form at the net with 22 kill shots. 

The win propels the Lady Royals to the Long Island championship game Wednesday, Nov. 13, at Hauppauge High School, where they take on either Evergreen Charter or Carle Place. First service is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

— Photos by Bill Landon 

Photo courtesy of Stony Brook Athletics

Stony Brook women’s soccer defended its home turf, defeating No. 3 Elon 2-1 on Nov. 3 in the semifinal round of the 2024 CAA Women’s Soccer Championship. The Seawolves earned a spot in the CAA Final and will face top-seeded Monmouth next weekend with a trip to the NCAA Tournament on the line.

Stony Brook broke the ice when Reilly Rich scored from the penalty spot in the 30th minute. Gabrielle Côté drew a foul in the box to create the opportunity for Rich, who converted to open the scoring on Sunday.

The Seawolves tacked on another score on a goal from Linn Beck — her ninth goal of the season — in the 40th minute. Aneta Sovakova played a picture-perfect ball into the box and behind the defense for Beck, who headed it home to pad Stony Brook’s lead.

Stony Brook’s defense limited Elon to just two shots in the first half, both of which were off target. The Seawolves’ offense generated eight chances, three of which were on net, as well as five corners in the opening 45 minutes of action.

The Phoenix finally tested Nicolette Pasquarella in the 76th minute, but the senior keeper was up to the task on Kennedy Jones’ shot. Elon got on the scoreboard with less than three minutes to play, cutting its deficit in half. The Seawolves did not allow another shot after the goal, closing out the victory in the CAA Semifinal.

“All year, since we got together in July, we prepared for those kind of games. When we started, we set a goal to make the championship game and win a championship. It always feel good to accomplish a goal,” head coach Tobias Bischof said. “Overall, I was very happy with the win.”

The team will face top-seeded Monmouth on Nov.  9 at 7 p.m. in the CAA Championship in West Long Branch, New Jersey. The match will stream live on FloFC.

Photo courtesy of Stony Brook Athletics

In their first overtime test of the season, Stony Brook football prevailed with a stop on Bryant’s two-point conversion in the extra frame to secure the 31-30 victory in Smithfield, Rhode Island on Nov. 2.

The Seawolves improved to 7-2 on the year and 4-1 in Coastal Athletic Association play, while the Bulldogs fell to 2-7 and 0-5.

Tyler Knoop led Stony Brook’s passing attack with 285 yards through the air, tossing one touchdown without throwing an interception. Roland Dempster paced all Seawolves rushers with 107 yards and two touchdowns in the contest, picking up 4.3 yards per carry. Knoop also added 23 yards on the ground.

Jasiah Williams pulled in 10 catches for 96 yards. Dez Williams made his presence felt in the passing game, recording four receptions for 75 yards. The Seawolves also added 52 yards receiving and one touchdown from Jayce Freeman in the game.

Jalen Hoyle showed out for the Stony Brook defense, collecting one interception. Dyshier Clary added three tackles, 1.0 TFL, and one sack and Rushawn Lawrence had five tackles, 3.0 TFL, and 1.5 sacks in the win.

Defensively, Stony Brook held up against the Bryant rushing attack, holding the Bulldogs to 105 yards on the ground and led the time of possession, 31:57 to 28:03. 

This is the first Stony Brook victory in overtime since they defeated UAlbany (28-21) on Nov. 4, 2017.

“Ugly win, but a win is a win,” said head coach Billy Cosh after the victory. “Credit to Bryant, they played exceptional. We got to play better defensively and offensively we had a lot of missed opportunities as well that we needed to capitalize on. In November, you got to win and we found a way to win. We got a lot of things to correct moving forward, we’ll watch the tape tomorrow and move on to Albany.” 

The team  returns to Long Island on Nov. 9  to host UAlbany for the Golden Apple. Kick-off is set for 1 p.m. and can be streamed on FloFootball. 

Stony Brook men's cross country team. Photo from Stony Brook Athletics
Four Seawolves Earn All-CAA Honors

ELON, N.C.- With a chance to make history, the Stony Brook men’s cross country team did not disappoint on Nov. 1, defending its crown en route to a 2024 CAA Championship victory and a third consecutive CAA title. Four All-CAA performers led the Seawolves to the championship win, with all four runners placing inside the top-15.

Henry Gartner was Stony Brook’s top individual performer, finishing in fourth after blazing through the 8K course in 24:44.50. Right behind him in fifth was Collin Gilstrap, who completed the course in 24:48.30. Steven Struk ran to an eighth-place finish with a time of 25:02.50. Michael Hawkes (14th) completed the course in 25:19.90 joining Gartner, Gilstrap, and Struk as All-CAA performers.
 
Ethan Green just missed out on an All-CAA distinction, finishing in 17th. Wrapping up the Seawolves slate of seven top-25 finishes were Thomas Burfeind (21st) and Nick Tardugno (23rd). John Fontanez (29th), Neel Chittur (32nd), Brian Liebowitz (41st), Paul Abeln (47th), and Finn Burke (61st) rounded out Stony Brook’s competitors at the 2024 CAA Championship.

FINAL MEN’S SCORES 

  1. Stony Brook, 48 points
  2. Northeastern, 49 points
  3. William & Mary, 54 points
  4. Monmouth, 110 points
  5. Elon, 127 points
  6. Hofstra, 167 points
  7. Charleston, 214 points
  8. Campbell, 248 points
  9. North Carolina A&T, 276 points
  10. UNC Wilmington, 286 points
  11. Hampton, 302 points


HIGHLIGHTS 

  • This year’s CAA Championship was the closest ever, as the Seawolves edged out Northeastern by a point.
  • With today’s win, Stony Brook completes the three-peat with its third consecutive CAA Championship.
  • For the second straight year, Gilstrap and Struk earned All-CAA honors.

“I’m just so proud of what this group of guys achieved today,” head coach Andy Ronan said. “During the season, we never spoke about the possibility of a three-peat; we just focused on challenging for another conference title, which is what we talk about every year in this program. It was clear before the race started that it was going to be a very tight race. So we told them to go earn it by competing every step of the way to the finish, and that is what they did.”

Championship season continues in two weeks at the 2024 NCAA Division I Northeast Regional Championships at Hopkinton Fairgrounds, New Hampshire.

For an inside look at the Seawolves cross country program, be sure to follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

By Bill Landon

No. 6 seed Walt Whitman High School’s field hockey team had their hands full in the opening round of the playoffs Tuesday, Oct. 29, with a road game against No. 3 Ward Melville when they were blanked by the Patriots 6-0 in the Class A bracket matchup. 

Ward Melville senior forward Peyton Phillips rocked the box with a pair of goals along with an assist and Reese Scali, the sophomore, scored twice. Isabella Parente and Maddie Larsen found the back of the box to round out the scoring for the Patriots.

Walt Whitman concluded their 2024 campaign with an 8-7 record.

The Patriots advance to the semifinal round with a road game against Northport (No. 2) Saturday, Nov. 2. Game time is slated for 2 p.m.

— Photos by Bill Landon

Shawn Heilbronn. Photos courtesy of Stony Brook Athletics

By Daniel Dunaief

In an exclusive interview the day before the homecoming game, Stony Brook Athletic Director Shawn Heilbron spoke about the department’s commitment to the community, the ongoing climb in grade point average among athletes and productive and expanding collaborations with other parts of the university.

“Homecoming is always such a fun time,” said Heilbron, who has been Athletic Director at Stony Brook for 10 years. “Our campus is buzzing with events and activities. It’s always a plus when our football team is bringing tremendous momentum, as we are this year.”

Indeed, the Seawolves trounced William & Mary 35-13 during homecoming, bringing the school’s rank in an AFC Coaches Poll to 20th — the highest it’s been since 2018. Ticket sales reached 7,599 for the game.

Heilbron appreciates the role sports plays in forming bonds between the university and the residents in the surrounding Long Island neighborhoods.

“Athletics is a great connector between the school and the community,” said Heilbron. 

As the department undergoes an exercise in branding and messaging, the Athletic Director suggested that the core of the program involves transforming young people’s lives through competition, academics and involvement in the community.

When he meets with prospective student-athletes, he tells them he wants them to feel that coming to Stony Brook is “the best decision I ever made in my life. It changes the trajectory of where I’m going.”

Winning helps shine a spotlight on the university, bringing goodwill and local pride to the area.

Heilbron, however, also believes that includes encouraging athletes to get involved with people in the area, whether that’s reading to students in elementary school, showing up at events in Suffolk County or going to the Children’s Hospital.

“Giving back to others is going to help you become a better person,” Heilbron said. “Our student athletes, our coaches, our staff, embrace that relationship with people.”

Teachers, club leaders, or area organizations who would like to tap into the university’s athletic program to provide inspiration or help with local efforts can do so through the school’s website, by connecting with Heilbron or with anyone on his leadership team, including Arnika Edwards, who oversees career and leadership development.

Edwards is a “fantastic leader in our department” who helps “organize so much of our community engagement,” Heilbron said. “We will help you get in touch with the right person.”

Wide range of sports

Heilbron encourages residents to attend any of the wide range of sporting events, where they can see a “group of young people who work so hard, give everything to represent Stony Brook, but also the community.”

Recently, the women’s soccer team played in front of a packed crowd of over 500 people for its final home game against Northeastern University. In a game Northeastern tied 2-2 in the 69th minute, Kerry Pearson scored the game-winner three minutes later, giving Stony Brook a crowd-pleasing 3-2 victory.

Heilbron said he urges fans to attend women’s basketball, which has also had recent success.

“We have a pretty strong fan base for men’s basketball,” Heilbron said. “I always say, ‘Come to a women’s game. Our women’s team has been really good.’ When they come, they are amazed at how much fun it is and how talented our women are.”

Word has also gotten out about the women’s lacrosse team, which is the strongest team at the school. “When you come and see the athleticism and the talent, it’s really remarkable,” Heilbron said.

Cross discipline opportunities

The athletic program has teamed up with several other departments throughout the university, including Health Science Professions, Renaissance School of Medicine and the School of Communication and Journalism. The school of journalism leads a broadcast that does the halftime show, and the athletic department is working on additional partnerships.

The school of health sciences is developing a lab that the university will build within the athletic facility that could help student athletes as well as those studying the field of health sciences.

“There’s so much in terms of technology now that’s being utilized with recovery and with injury prevention,” said Heilbron. “We’re excited to take the next step forward.”

Amid ongoing concerns about the emotional and psychological well-being of students, the athletic department has embedded two full-time mental health counselors in their building.

“The need for mental health services for young people nationally regardless of whether they are athletes or not has increased tremendously,” Heilbron said.

Heilbron is grateful that any stigma around seeking help for mental health challenges has decreased sufficiently that students feel more comfortable asking for help. “Student athletes are saying, ‘I want to utilize this, this is important to me,’” said Heilbron.

In addition to two busy, full-time mental health professionals, the department has a sports psychologist and refers students to other campus assistance, if needed. As of now, Heilbron feels the department is “meeting the student athletes where they are,” he said, “but if the time arises where we have to invest in a third [mental health professional], we’ll make that a priority.”

The athletic department also works to help students prepare for the balance between significant academic and athletic demands. Advisors urge students to build in time to eat, receive therapy for injuries, and work with tutors. “Our students know that if you come to Stony Brook, this is going to be a challenging education,” Heilbron said.

Student athlete grades have been improving since Heilbron arrived. A decade ago, the grade point average was 3.06. Last year, the GPA for student athletes climbed to 3.24. “It’s a testament to our student athletes, but also to our academic advisors,” said Heilbron.

Better facilities

As for the facilities, Stony Brook is looking for ways to improve them.

The university is raising money for a baseball/ softball complex and is looking to improve several locker rooms. “Locker rooms are always something we’re trying to enhance,” said Heilbron. “It’s where our student athletes spend most of their time.”

Stony Brook is completing a renovation of the women’s basketball locker room and is hoping to enhance the locker rooms of the football and lacrosse teams.

“We are constantly feeling a sense of urgency, not only for our recruits, but we want our current student athletes to feel that sense of excitement with new spaces,” said Heilbron

Shawn Heilbron’s speed round answers:

Favorite movie: Bull Durham

Favorite sport to watch: football

Favorite sport to play: baseball

Position in baseball: 1st base

If you had to coach a team, 

what would you coach: baseball

Mantra: I don’t have a mantra, but I tell people to “be positive.”

Hero in life: My dad

Hero in sports: Roger Staubach

Favorite sports team: Dallas Cowboys

Favorite moment in sports:
“Winning the 2016 America East Championship with our men’s basketball team” which allowed them to go to March Madness for the first time in the school’s history. Fans rushed the court. “That was the coolest moment.”

Most common coaching mistake: Overthinking a situation.

 

On Oct. 26, visiting Kings Park, searching for that elusive first win of the season, struck first and often against Rocky Point with a pair of pass plays from Brandon Shapiro to wide receiver Nick Paliotta for touchdowns before Kevin Vasquez sauntered 25 yards to make it a three-score lead midway through the second quarter at 21-0.

Rocky Point wide receiver Grayson Marmol hauled in a 25-yard touchdown catch from quarterback John Nadeau for the Eagles to trail 21-7 to take the goose egg off the board.

Kings Park marched down the field in the closing minutes of the half and the Rocky Point defense made a stop, forcing Kings Park to settle for a field goal at 24-7. Rocky Point threatened in the third quarter when Cristian Romero found the end zone on short yardage but Shapiro countered in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter, scoring on a keeper from 13 yards. Nadeau would answer with a keeper of his own, but it was too little too late as Kings Park won the game 31-21 to notch up their first win of the season in the Division III matchup.

Rocky Point drops to 2-5 and will play Harborfields on the road in their season finale Saturday, Nov. 2, at 2 p.m.     

— Photos by Bill Landon