Sports

By Bill Landon

It would be the foot of Dan Jurgens, the place-kicker for Center Moriches, that would decide the game when Shoreham-Wading River came calling, snatching victory from the Wildcats to win 17-14 Friday afternoon, Oct. 11.

Deadlocked at 14-14 from the middle of the third quarter, Shoreham-Wading River mounted a late-game surge only to be stopped 2 yards from the end zone where the Red Devils took over on downs. Center Moriches, with a ground-and-pound offensive running game, mounted an eight-minute drive moving the chains bleeding out the clock, and called time-out at the 19-yard line with two seconds left in regulation. Jurgens split the uprights for the 29-yard field goal for the Red Devils win as time expired.

The victory lifts Center Moriches to 3-2 in Division IV, while the Wildcats drop to 3-2.

— Photos by Bill Landon

By Bill Landon

The undefeated Patriots of Ward Melville’s girls volleyball team at (11-0) did something they’ve only done once this season. They didn’t sweep their opponent 3-0 in the best of five sets for the second time this year. The visiting Patriots remain atop League I, having dispatched the Raiders of Patchogue-Medford, 25-12, 25-21, 23-25, 25-14, on Oct. 10.

The only other time the Patriots didn’t make a short day of it was when they dropped their very first set of the season in another road game, against William Floyd, Sept. 27, but still won 3-1.

After the Patriots handily won the first two sets, the Raiders countered in the third, edging their rival 25-23 and forcing a game four. Ward Melville wasn’t about to let the match go to five games as they downed the Raiders by 11 points to take the match.

Seniors Emma Bradshaw and Alexa Gandolfo proved to be a potent combination in the Patriot attack notching 31 kills, while juniors Chloe Borch and Jaclyn Engel recorded 32 digs between them.

The Patriots at 12-0 retain first place with four games left before postseason play begins.

— Photos by Bill Landon

Photo from Stony Brook Athletics

Senior Jonas Bickus tallied his fourth goal of the season, but the Stony Brook men’s soccer team ultimately fell to Drexel  University 2-1 on Oct. 12 at Lavalle Stadium.

Drexel put pressure on the Seawolves early after scoring a pair of goals in the 16th and 22nd minute from Giancarlo Vaccaro and Dominick Bachstein.

Stony Brook wasted no time answering back as Jonas Bickus scored off a penalty kick in the 23rd minute, cutting the deficit in half. The Seawolves goalie Rushon Sandy would make three saves through the first half to hold the score as Stony Brook only trailed by one.

In the second half, the Seawolves tallied more shots and corner kicks, but the Dragon held on making four saves in the second frame to secure the 2-1 victory.

The squad will return to the pitch on Oct. 19 when they head to North Carolina to take on UNC Wilmington. 

Members of the Stony Brook football team (#22 Cal Redman, #14 Rodney Faulk, and #5 Jasiah Williams)dropped by to check out the new statue with Wolfie and Interim President Richard McCormick. Photo courtesy of SBU

Stony Brook University recently unveiled a new statue of everyone’s favorite mascot, Wolfie, on the Academic Mall. 

The 7-foot-tall bronze sculpture created by artist Virgil Oertle stands behind a bench where fellow Seawolves can come over and relax, or take a photo. Funds were generously donated by alumnus Ken Marcus, Class of 1971.

Interim President Richard McCormick said the university was thrilled to present the statue to the community, and hoped it will be an enduring symbol of the pride of Stony Brook.

“Wolfie spans many generations of Seawolves, connecting us all through his spirit and tenacity,” McCormick said. “He is authentic, confident, inspiring and a supportive friend, reflecting the best of who we are as a community, and as individuals.”

Photo courtesy of Stony Brook Athletics

Stony Brook women’s soccer secured a 3-2 victory against Delaware on Oct. 13 at Stuart & Suzanne Grant Stadium in Newark Delaware behind goals from Gabby Daniels, Hannah Maracina and Reilly Rich. The Seawolves moved into a three-way tie for second place in the CAA with the win.

Stony Brook started the scoring when Reilly Rich recorded her third goal of the season in the 35th minute. Rich buried her second penalty kick of the season, opening the scoring after a Delaware foul in the box.

The Seawolves increased their lead to 2-0 on a goal from Hannah Maracina — her third goal of the season — in the 36th minute, assisted by Kristina Garcia. The strike saw Maracina get airborne, similar to her score in the win over Hampton earlier this week.

Delaware closed the gap to 2-1 on Brooke Vogel’s 57th-minute goal, assisted by Morgan Tilley.

The Seawolves went back ahead by two goals on a goal from Gabby Daniels, her third goal of the season. Emanuelly Ferreira had the lone assist on the goal, providing the helper off of a setpiece from the corner.

Delaware made it a 3-2 game on Olivia Bley’s goal in the 82nd minute. Nicolette Pasquarella made one final save down the stretch, helping Stony Brook stave off a potential Delaware comeback.

“Compliments to the team. We played a good team on the road and had to change some things around. The girls did an amazing job adjusting and deserved the win,” head coach Tobias Bischof said. “The first half was very good, especially with the 18-2 shot advantage.”

The team returns to action on Oct. 20, hosting UNC Wilmington at LaValle Stadium for senior day. The Seawolves and Seahawks are scheduled for a 1 p.m. kickoff with the contest streaming live on FloFC.

Fall has arrived! Be sure to check out some of the Town of Brookhaven’s recreation centers’ upcoming fun and educational programs:

Robert E. Reid, Sr. Recreation Center
Defense Hill Road & Route 25A, Shoreham, NY 11786
Call 631-451-5306 for more information or help registering online.

Yoga
This is a slow-flow yoga class for all levels, moving at a slower pace and holding poses a little longer.  Breathing and relaxation exercises are incorporated to help de-stress. Please bring a yoga mat.
Dates: Mondays, October 21, November 4, 18, 25, December 2, 9
Time: 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Fee: $42.00 per 6-week session
To register online, click HERE.

Jump Bunch Jr. (Ages 3-5)
Learn a new sport each week. Includes sports such as soccer, football, lacrosse, volleyball and basketball. No equipment necessary. Just bring water.
Dates: Thursdays, November 7, 14, 21, December 5, 12, 19
Time: 4:00pm – 5:00pm
Fee: $62.00 per 6-week session
To register online, click HERE.

Jump Bunch Kids (Ages 6-9)
Learn a new sport each week. Includes sports such as soccer, football, lacrosse, volleyball and basketball. No equipment necessary. Just bring water.
Dates: Thursdays, November 7, 14, 21, December 5, 12, 19
Time: 5:15pm – 6:00pm
Fee: $62.00 per 6-week session
To register online, click HERE.

Henrietta Acampora Recreation Center
39 Montauk Highway, Blue Point, NY 11715
Call 631-451-6163 for more information or help registering online.

Sprouts & Friends: Babies & Non-Walkers (Ages 6 months – 12 months)
Join Sprouts & Friends for a fun, safe and creative way to learn to move through music and release energy. Our mission is to create joy while helping your little ones grow, learn, develop and explore through playful activities.
Dates: Fridays, November 8, 15, 22, December 6, 13, 20
Time: 1:00pm – 1:45pm
Fee: $42.00 per 6-week session
To register online, click HERE.

Country Line Dancing – Improver
These classes welcome advanced beginners and intermediate dancers.
Dates: Mondays, November 25, December 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Time: 2:30pm – 4:00pm
Fee: $47.00 per 6-week session
To register online, click HERE.

Parks Administration Building
286 Hawkins Road, Centereach, NY 11720
Call 631-451-6112 for more information or help registering online.

Indoor Bocce
Meet and play with different people each week. 2 games per week.
Individual sign up.
Dates: Tuesdays, November 12, 19, 26, December 3, 10, 17
Time: 10:00am – 12:00pm
Fee: $32.00 per 6-week session
To register online, click HERE.

Centereach Sports Complex
286 Hawkins Road, Centereach, NY 11720
Call 631 451-6131 for more information or help registering online.

Pickleball
Check out our upcoming one day clinics.
Visit www.brookhavenny.gov/reconline under the Sports tab to register.

 

By Bill Landon

Ward Melville at 8-1 hosted Walt Whitman (6-4) in a Division 1 field hockey contest that was never in question. The Patriots spread the scoring around to five different players in the 5-0 shutout Monday night, Oct. 7.

Peyton Phillips and Madison Toth got the momentum going in the opening quarter before Maddie Larsen made it a three-goal lead. Jadyn Stoecker and Nura Qasaimeh rocked the box in the fourth in the 5-0 win.

Senior goalie Olivia Zummo had a quiet day in net.

With five games remaining before postseason play begins, the Patriots look to bolster their seeding atop the division leaderboard, rubbing shoulders with Sachem East and Northport.           

— Photos by Bill Landon 

Reese Marcario fires at the box for the Wildcats. Photo by Bill Landon

By Bill Landon

The Shoreham-Wading River field hockey squad tore open their season with 10 consecutive wins but stumbled in a road game against Harborfields, losing to the Tornadoes 2-1, Sept. 30. 

The Wildcats wasted no time in clawing back to their winning ways with a home game against Eastport-South Manor (9-2) Monday night, Oct. 7. The Sharks struck first with two minutes remaining in the opening quarter but sophomore forward Madison Herr answered back 30 seconds later to make it a new game.

Senior midfielder Ellie Arena rocked the box with six minutes left in the first half off an assist by Marisa Cacciola for the Wildcats to take a 2-1 lead, a score that would make the final buzzer.

The win lifts the Wildcats to 11-1 in a three-way tie along with Miller Place and Bayport-Blue Point atop the Division II leaderboard. 

— Photos by Bill Landon

Photo from Stony Brook Athletics

Stony Brook and Hofstra played to a 1-1 draw on Oct. 6 in Hempstead. The Seawolves went down early on, but Linn Beck scored the game-tying goal in the final minute of the first half, helping Stony Brook salvage another point against a CAA foe.

Hofstra took an early 1-0 lead with a goal in the 15th minute. Stony Brook had early opportunities from Luciana Setteducate and Beck that were turned away. Nicolette Pasquarella was challenged twice more down the stretch in the first half, stopping both chances from the Pride.

The Seawolves evened the match courtesy of Beck’s fifth goal of the season in the 45th minute. Setteducate assisted on the goal that ultimately closed the scoring for the afternoon

The Seawolves put forth the first five shots of the second half, seeing three turned away in the opening 13 minutes. Stony Brook controlled tempo all throughout the final 45 minutes, trying 13 total shots in the second half. Defensively, Stony Brook limited Hofstra to just one shot in the second half, which Pasquarella stopped. Hofstra’s goalkeeper turned away four shots to keep the match even and close out a draw.

“It’s never easy to play at Hofstra. They are a well-coached team. We started good but lost our way a little bit after they scored. Linn scored a beauty just before Halftime. At halftime we regrouped, got focused and played a very good second half,” head coach Tobias Bischof said. “We were unfortunate to not score a second goal.”

Photo from Stony Brook Athletics
The Stony Brook men’s soccer team came up short against Campbell, 6-0, on Oct. 5 on the road at Eakes Athletics Complex in Blues Creek, N.C. Stony Brook dropped to 2-5-3 overall and 0-3-2 in CAA play after the loss.

The Camels jumped on the board with a pair of goals in the first half as Owen Mikoy scored in the ninth minute and Luc Lavielle in the 25th. Stony Brook was able to keep Campbell off the board for the remainder of the first half as the Seawolves trailed, 2-0. Olsen Aluc and Caleb Danquah had one shot each in the first 45 minutes.

Campbell added to their lead in the second half as they recorded four goals in the frame. Danquah would tally the first shot on goal for the Seawolves in the 52nd minute, trying to squeeze it past Samy Slimi through the bottom left corner.  Lorenzo Selini fired off one of his own in the 71st minute with a shot to the bottom center of the net that would be turned away.