LI High School Sports, Long Islander News

Colts Storm Back, Fall In OT To North BabylonRowBlessKey

DIX HILLS, New York, September 18

BY: Andrew Wroblewski

Article can be found at www.andrewwroblewski.wordpress.com

After storming back from a 1-0 deficit to take a one-goal lead in the second half, everything looked good for the Half Hollow Hills High School West girls’ varsity soccer team on Sept. 11 against the Bulldogs of North Babylon.

Then the clock read 8 seconds.

At that time, the Colts’ plan for a comeback was foiled by North Babylon’s junior midfielder Dana Scheriff. After winning the ball atop the Colts’ box, the junior snuck past two defenders and chipped Hills West’s goalkeeper Joanna Musacchia to send the game into overtime.

In overtime, Scheriff broke through once again and only to break the Colts’ hearts as another breakaway led the Bulldogs (2-1) to a 3-2 victory over the Colts (2-1) in a League III opener.

“The girls played great; they played together… But unfortunately we came out with the loss,” Colts’ Head Coach Amanda Strack said after the game. “[We] played hard and fought until the end.”

With 5 minutes left to play in the first half, North Babylon senior midfielder Kayla King opened up the scoring by placing a free kick into the top right corner of the net – just out of reach for Musacchia.

The half came to a close shortly after, but then – in the second half – Hills West was able to capitalize on a free kick as senior defender Angelique Chatpar stepped up to the ball with just 13 minutes left to play. Calm, cool and collected, Chatpar drilled a shot low, to the right corner of the net where Bulldogs’ goalkeeper Angela DiFazio was able to get a hand on it, but not quite enough to keep the Colts off of the scoreboard..

With the momentum now on their side, Hills West kept pressuring the Bulldogs and was able to break through again on a set piece, this time when senior Arianna Sabatino used her head to slickly maneuver the ball around DiFazio and into the back of the net.

As time ran down in the half, though, the Bulldogs did some pressuring of their own and the Colts – although seconds from victory – just weren’t able to sustain the defensive effort.

“We dominated, we did,” Strack said. “[But] we’ll get them next time.”

Missed opportunities, Strack added, played a part in the Colts’ downfall.

In the first half, Hills West drew a penalty kick, but junior midfielder Katina Cokinos put the resulting shot just wide of the net.

While the Colts still trailed by one in the second half, Sabatino had a chance to even things up with 26 minutes left to play when a cross came along to her deep in the box near the left goalpost. Sabatino tried to place the ball into the corner of the net – and would have been successful in doing so – but DiFazio foiled her plans by pushing the ball wide of the net.

“We have to work on finishing,” Strack said. “[With] just a little bit more possession [and] keeping our composure, [I think] we’ll be alright.”

Colts’ junior midfielder Katina Cokinos reads the field last Thursday in Hills West’s opening League III match against North Babylon.

Moving forward, the Colts seemed to have less trouble finishing this week when they took on both Riverhead (0-3) and Copiague (0-3) – on Monday and Wednesday respectively – and twice came out with a 7-0 victory.

On Friday, Hills West will play host to Centereach (1-2) at 4 p.m.

 

Kick-starters: Girls soccer players of the week

This article was posted on www.newsday.com on 9/23/13

8:31 PM By Mike Gavin and Stephen Haynes

 

Every Monday we’ll post the girls soccer players of the week. Coaches, nominate your players – and be sure to show some love for the hard-working defenders who don’t show up in headlines and box scores - by e-mailing us at Michael.Gavin@newsday.comand Stephen.Haynes@newsday.com.  Also, follow @MikeGavin7 and @StephenHaynes4 on Twitter for all things girls soccer.

 

Here are the best of the best in Long Island girls soccer from the week of Sept. 16 to Sept. 22:

 

Stephanie Brunner, Longwood: Scored the equalizer with 22 seconds remaining in the second overtime as Longwood played to a 1-1 draw with Ward Melville.

 

Ashley Coia, Sayville: The junior scored a career-high four goals in a 5-0 win over Rocky Point.

 

Jill Colucci, Port Jefferson: Found the back of the net three times - and helped two teammates do the same – for a three-goal, two-assist performance in a 6-1 win over Smithtown Christian.

 

Nicole Copping, Bayport-Blue Point: Recorded a hat trick, and added an assist, in a 5-1 win over Mt. Sinai.

 

Shelby Fredericks, Babylon: Followed up her hat trick in a 5-1 win over Stony Brook with a two-goal game in a 3-0 win over Southold/Greenport.

 

Nicole Liotta, Bellmore JFK: The Central Connecticut-bound goalie made 24 saves and allowed only three goals (a .888 save percentage) in three big wins over Clarke, Garden City and Calhoun last week.

 

Kennedy Kerr, Long Island Lutheran: The sophomore racked up seven points in two wins last week, including scoring a career-high four goals in a 5-0 victory over Portledge on Friday.

 

Ally Kennedy and Dana Scheriff, North Babylon: The sophomore duo has been the catalysts behind the Bulldogs 5-1 start. Kennedy has score four goals and assisted on two while Scheriff has added two goals and four assists.  

 

Mackenzie Palmer, Massapequa: The center back had two assists last week, including the setup of the winning goal with 2:30 left as the chiefs edged nationally-ranked St. Anthony's, 1-0, on Tuesday. Palmer also led the Massapequa defense in a 2-0 shutout of rival MacArthur on Thursday.

 

Keri Cavallo, South Side: She had five points in three victories last week, including two goals and an assist against Cold Spring Harbor, and scored the deciding goal in a 2-0 win over Calhoun.

 

Olivia Fetherston, Port Washington: Had two goals and an assist in a win over Great Neck South and had a goal and an assist, including the go-ahead tally, in a win over Baldwin.

 

Hannah Woodward, Holy Trinity: The sophomore forward scored six goals in two games, including a four-goal eruption in a 6-1 win over St. Mary's last Monday.

 

Suffolk League IV Preview

Sunday September 4, 2011 11:03 AM By Mike Gavin

NORTH BABYLON

Last Season: 9-2-1 (12-3-1), lost 4-0 to West Islip in semifinals

It’s not how the Bulldogs start, it’s how they finish. After getting off to a 2-3 start last season, North Bab didn’t lose another game until the county semifinals, which the Bulldogs have qualified for the past two seasons. A third straight trip to the semis is entirely possible with first-team all-state Emily Ude (pictured) on the field. The versatile senior, who will start most games at forward, is a tenacious player who never stops moving, as seen by her 13 goals and 13 assists for a county-high 26 points last season. She is joined by senior forward Jessica Eifert, who had six goals and six assists as a part-time player last season, and junior attacking center-mid Kelsie Brostek. Senior Megan Binder, who moves from stopper to sweeper, and senior keeper Kelly Heimerle, who has gone 22-5 with 16 shutouts the past two seasons, will look to get the Bulldogs back to the final four and possibly beyond.

Season Opener: Sept. 8, scrimmage against the defending state champions Massapequa…Non-league schedule kicks off Sept. 12 vs. Lindenhurst

DEER PARK

Last Season: 10-1-1 (10-3-1), lost 2-1 to Connetquot in quarterfinals

The defending League V champs move up to what will be a very competitive League IV. A couple of key pieces graduated but plenty of talent returns, including senior all-county center-midfielder Jenai Davidson. The four-year varsity player can play off both feet and knows how to use her speed and body to her advantage, making her tough to mark. Junior forward Nicolette Torici will patrol the wing while junior keepr Larisa Zambelli, who enters her fourth season as a starter, secures the backfield.

Season Opener: Sept. 9, at Kings Park

HALF HOLLOW HILLS WEST

Last Season: 10-2 (13-2), lost 2-1 to East Islip in first round

Hills West looks to build on last season, in which the team got off to an 8-0 start en route to a League IV title. They enter the season strong offensively with a pair of strikers in senior Marisa Rosen and junior Sarah Matzelle, who combine with junior center-mid Julia DiMaria to work very well as a unit when on the attack. The defense can also hold its own, led by senior sweeper Christina Magel, who dominates the back line.

Season Opener: Sept. 10, vs. Lindenhurst

WEST BABYLON

Last Season: 9-2-1 (13-2-1), lost on penalty kicks to Deer Park in first round

A very young team looking to avenge last year’s heartbreaking loss in the first round of the playoffs. Despite its youth, West Bab is a well-rounded squad that displays strong technical skills. Just five seniors return, led by midfielder Jessica Maizur, who had six goals and nine assists last season.

HAUPPAUGE

Last Season: 5-4-3 (7-5-4), lost 1-0 to Comsewogue in outbracket

The fact that senior center-midfielder Stephanie Peragallo enters the season in what Hauppauge coach Jessica Kulesa calls the best shape of her career is a frightening proposition for the rest of the county. Now in her fifth season on varsity, Peragallo has been one of the county’s most dynamic players since leading Hauppauge to a Class A county title as a sophomore. Peragallo has been the team’s leading scorer – out of the midfield - in three of her four seasons and earned fourth-team all-state honors last season. Hauppauge has never been known as a team that will put up a lot of goals, but they also won’t allow many with junior keeper Diana Poulin in net.

Season Opener: Sept. 12, at Smithtown West

COPIAGUE: 0-12 (1-13)...Season Opener: Sept. 9, at Brentwood

RIVERHEAD: 2-10 (3-10)…Season Opener: Sept. 13, vs. Sachem East

   On Friday October 21, the North Babylon Varsity Girls' Soccer team will host their 2nd annual Kicks for Cancer game. 

In conjunction with the charity fundraiser Kicks for Cancer, which honors former Hauppauge student Courtney Tomkin who passed away from brain cancer at the age of 17 in December of 2008, the North Babylon girl’s soccer team will be rallying behind one of their own.

    Kathy Scottaline, the wife of longtime assistant principal and teacher Mike Scottaline, was diagnosed with breast cancer in July 2010.   In order to raise money for the American Cancer Society, the team has sold pink paper soccer ball donation cards and popcorn everyday during lunch periods with all proceeds being donated in the Scottaline’s name.  Last fall the team raised $1206 and that was generously matched by Ms. Holly Brostek.  That brought our total donation to over $2400 and the team was awarded hoodie sweatshirts as a reward for their efforts!   NBGVS could thank Ms. Brostek enough for her giving nature!

   A ceremony will be held prior to Friday’s 4 p.m. game against Deer Park at North Babylon High School to honor the Scottaline family. Many members of the school’s staff and their families are expected be in attendance, donning their Scottaline tees, and the team will trade in their traditional blue and white jerseys for numbered pink shirts in support of the Scottaline family and Kicks for Cancer. The game will also be played with a bright pink soccer ball at the start.

Ude sends North Babylon to playoffs

 By Mike Gavin

With North Babylon needing one more win to secure a playoff berth, Emily Ude offered some words of comfort for her coach before Monday’s game.

“Don’t worry, Coach,” she said. “We got this.”

She then backed up those words by recording a hat trick, her second in three games, to propel North Babylon to a 5-2 win over Half Hollow Hills West.

“I believe great players are at their best when things are toughest,” North Babylon coach Steve Corrado said. “That’s why they rise above the rest.”

Ude now has 13 goals this season, matching her total from last season when she was named first-team all-state.

Her 37 career goals are third most in program history, two behind Casey Filippone for second.

North Babylon (6-5) wraps up the regular season on Wednesday at West Babylon with playoff positioning still on the line. Nevertheless, it’s a tough game that won’t be quite as stressful thanks in large part to Ude.

Ude commits to Manhattan College

11:22 AM By Mike Gavin

Ran into North Babylon’s Emily Ude at counties on Wednesday. I asked her which school she was going to next year and she pointed to her sweatshirt, which read Manhattan College.

Ude verbally committed to the school late last week after a season in which she had 13 goals and 10 assists, including two late season hat tricks to help North Babylon clinch a playoff berth. It was a fine follow-up to her junior season where she recorded 13 goals and 13 assists en route to earning first-team all-state honors.

Ude, a four-year starter, finished with the third most goals in program history with 37 and was first in assists with 32 (North Babylon only has records of assists since 1998), according to North Babylon coach Steve Corrado. She was also on the field for five playoff wins, which along with Kelly Heimerle and Kelsey Hart, is the most of any North Babylon player in the program’s history.

“Emily comes from a great family and has a wonderful support system and I have no doubt with her work ethic, dedication to her sport, and determination she will be a success at Manhattan and more importantly in life beyond the field,” Corrado said. “The question I have to answer is how we will replace her on the field, in practice and in the locker room.”

On Thursday, October 14th, the North Babylon Girls' Soccer Team will hold their "Kicks for Cancer" game against Half Hollow Hills West at 4:00 pm. The original date was postponed by rain. The "Kicks for Cancer" concept began in Hauppauge a few years ago and spearheaded by head coach Jesseca Kulesa after the loss of a former manager, Courtney Tompkins, to brain cancer. The Hauppauge Girls' soccer team has donated over $50,000 to the Making Headway Foundation (Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors) and the American Cancer Society over the past two years. This fall many coaches in the Suffolk County Girls Soccer Coaching Association have selected a game to help raise money to fight cancer.

This event took on a more significant meaning in North Babylon when the wife of our Assistant Principal, Mr. Scottaline, was diagnosed with breast cancer this past summer. Our team instantly took this to heart and dedicated the "Kicks for Cancer" game to the Scottaline Family. Mr. Scottaline’s wife, Kathy, is an alumni and former teacher in the school district. For many of us at North Babylon High School, “Mr. Scott”, is our Assistant Principal, a mentor, a former teacher, a helpful hand, and more importantly a friend! Over the course of the past few months the Girls’ Varsity Soccer team has sold pink paper soccer balls and held two car washes to help raise money to donate to the “Kicks for Cancer” event. Please show your support on Thursday and line the sidelines with your black “Team Scottaline” tee-shirts (or just wear pink) and your support for a cure for cancer and more importantly – the Scottaline Family! To date the girls have worked very hard and has raised over $1000! The team will play the game in pink jerseys and we look forward to seeing you there and showing your support!

If anyone interested would like to donate to our cause please send all donations to:
1 Phelps Lane
North Babylon, NY 11703
ATTN: NB Girls Soccer - Coach Corrado

Please make all Checks Payable to "NB Girls Soccer" and thank you for all of your support!!!!
NBGVS '10

This article was originally published on www.newsday.com. November 3, 2010 8:36 PM

By CHRIS MASCARO

With each one of Casey Filippone's smacks on her shinguard, the crack in Whitman's Cinderella slipper grew larger.

The North Babylon forward carried the beat for Christine Campanello's customary pregame pump-up rap by smacking her shin guards and then used her legs to carry the host No. 9 Bulldogs to a 2-0 victory over No. 16 Whitman in the Suffolk Class AA girls soccer quarterfinals.

Filippone used her right leg to rifle home North Babylon's second goal, and her left on a corner kick to assist on April Makely's to open the scoring.

"We didn't look at them and say, 'Oh, they're a 16 seed, so they're not good,' " Filippone said of Whitman, which knocked off No. 1 Sachem East, 1-0, on Saturday after winning an outbracket game over No. 17 Patchogue-Medford on Friday. "If they were good enough to beat the No. 1 seed, they were good enough to play with us. We knew they were coming out guns blazing."

North Babylon (14-3-1) stifled that attack by outshooting Whitman 12-4 and tallying six corners to the Wildcats' one.

Filippone lined up for a corner with 7:35 left in the first half and, after a failed clear attempt by a Whitman defender, Makely sneaked the ball inside the far left post to make it 1-0.

With 19:11 to play in the game, Jessica Eifert sent a long, looping pass ahead to Filippone, who trapped it, let a defender fly by and then drilled a shot into the top right corner for a 2-0 lead.

"I tried that move a couple times earlier in the game going to my left," said Filippone, who is a righty but is proficient in shooting with both feet. "I tried the same move cutting right and I put a good shot on it."

Whitman (10-6-2) would have fallen behind even further without the strong play of freshman goalie Samantha Myers-Dineen, who made 10 saves, including several worthy of the highlight reel.

Teammate Sarah Murphy said this season was stamped as a success with the win over Sachem East.

"Beating the No. 1 seed, I'll remember that forever," the senior said. "We knew it gets harder as you move on. Their whole team just outworked us."

The Bulldog faithful came out in droves for a home game it didn't expect to have when the postseason began. North Babylon came through by extending its unbeaten streak to 13 games. In that time, the Bulldogs have outscored their opponents 46-5.

They'll play in the county semifinals for the second straight year on Saturday when they travel to No. 5 West Islip at 2:30 p.m. Said Filippone: "I'll be ready to hold the beat."

Campanello will be prepared with another rhyme.

Walt Whitman..........0 - 0 - 0
at North Babylon......1 - 1 - 2

Highlights:
North Babylon 2, Whitman 0: Casey Filippone had a goal and an assist for No. 9 North Babylon (14-3-1) in the Suffolk Class AA quarterfinals. April Makely added a goal, and Jessica Eifert had an assist. Kelly Heimerle made four saves for her 11th shutout of the season. North Babylon will play at No. 5 West Islip at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday in the semifinals. No. 16 Whitman finishes its season 10-6-2.

Scoring:
North Babylon -- April Makely, 1 goals; Casey Filippone, 1 goals/1 assists; Jessica Eifert, 1 assists.

Goalies:
North Babylon -- Kelly Heimerle, 4 saves.
Whitman -- Samantha Myers-Dineen, 10 saves/2 goals allowed.

Video highlights can be seen at the following link:
http://www.newsday.com/video/newsday-video-1.1482431?idno=24056

The 2010 Suffolk County Girls' Soccer playoffs began on Friday, October 29th with two outbracket games. The North Babylon Bulldogs earned a #9 seed and traveled to Ward Melville on Saturday, October 30th at 12 o'clock for an afternoon match. After the 3-0 victory on Saturday afternoon the North Babylon Girls' Soccer team came home to host the next round of the playoffs. Congratulations to #16 Walt Whitman on their upset of the #1 seeded Sachem East 1-0. This marks the second consecutive season Sachem East has been eliminated as the #1 seed in their first game of the playoffs.
North Babylon came home for an unexpeted playoff game and didn't disappoint. The Girls Soccer team beat upstart Walt Whitman Wildcats 2-0 to advance to the Semi-Finals for the second consecutive season. The Semi-Final matchup will be against the defending Long Island Champion West Islip Lions who come into the game with a 14-1-3 record after their defeat of League III rival East Islip 1-0 on Wednesday.

The remainder of the playoff schedule is below with all the home teams listed first. If you would like to see an updated bracket please visit the Section XI website at http://www.sectionxi.org/ and follow the link to "brackets" and click on Girls Soccer.

Friday, October 29
#17 Patchogue-Medford (8-7) v. #16 Walt Whitman (8-5-2)
#15 Hauppauge (7-5-4) v. #18 Comsewogue (6-8-2)

Saturday, October 30
#1 Sachem East (14-2) v. #16 Walt Whitman (9-5-2)
#2 Connetquot (13-2) v. #18 Comsewogue (7-8-2)
#3 Northport (11-2-1) v. #14 Smithtown West (9-5-1)
#4 Half Hollow Hills West (13-2) v. #13 East Islip (9-6-1)
#5 West Islip (12-1-3) v. #12 Sachem North (8-5-1)
#6 Smithtown East (11-4-1) v. #11 Commack (7-5-2)
#7 West Babylon (13-2-1) v. #10 Deer Park (10-3-1)
#8 Ward Meville (10-3-2) v. #9 North Babylon (12-3-1)

Wednesday, November 3
#2 Connetquot (14-2) v. #10 Deer Park (10-4-2)
#5 West Islip (13-1-3) v. #13 East Islip (10-6-1)
#6 Smithtown East (12-4-1) v. Smithtown West (8-5-2)
#9 North Babylon (13-3-1) v. #16 Walt Whitman (9-5-2)

Saturday, November 6
#2 Connetquot (15-2) v. #6 Smithtown East (13-4-1)
#5 West Islip (14-1-3) v. #9 North Babylon (14-3-1)

Wedensday, November 10
#5 West Islip (15-1-3) v. #6 Smithtown East (14-4-1)

Congratulations to Smithtown East on their County Championship!

Congratulations to the 2010 North Babylon Girls’ Soccer Players who received post-season honors.

Academic All-League
Casey Filippone
Jillian Manzo
Kelsey Reardon

Academic All-County
Emily Abma

All-League
April Makely
Catherine Sandkuhl

All-Conference
Megan Binder

All-County
Christine Campanello
Casey Filippone
Emily Ude

League IV Player of the Year
Emily Ude

Newsday All-Long Island
Emily Ude

All-State
Casey Filippone
Emily Ude

All-Regional - NSCAA
Emily Ude

The accolades for Emily Ude came in all weekend. Emily who was an All-County selection for the second straight season and the 2010 League IV Player of the Year was selected to be on the prestigious All-Long Island team by the writers of Newsday. Emily is only the second player from North Babylon to get this honor (Marissa Caroleo was selected in 2007).
Emily has also been recognized the New York State Sportswriters Association/ NYSSCOGS for her 2010 season with an All-State (1st Team) selection. Ude also received word the National Soccer Coaches Association of America that she was named to the All-East Regional team; she is among only three players from Long Island who received this honor.
Ude, a junior, finished the 2010 season with 13 goals and 14 assists. Ude was the top point scorer in Suffolk Class AA for the 2010 season (according to www.newsday.com). She ranks in the top ten in goals scored and is third in assists (since 2003) in program history.

Casey Filippone who was an All-County selection for the second consecutive season has been recognized the New York State Sportswriters Association for her outstanding 2010 play. Casey was selected All-State (5th Team), this is the second consecutive season Casey garnered such honors. Casey joins former teammates Jenny Melton and Marissa Caroleo as the only North Babylon players in the last 20 years to get selected All-State twice in their careers.
On the season Casey, also a team captain, led the Bulldogs with 14 goals and added 8 assists. Filippone was the among the top point scorers in Suffolk Class AA for the 2010 season (according to www.newsday.com).The fourteen goals brought her career total to 39, which is good enough for 2nd all-time in program history.

This article was posted on the Newsday website, Girls' Soccer Blog on October 14, 2010.

By Mike Gavin

The last unbeaten in Class AA Suffolk girls soccer is unbeaten no longer.

North Babylon handed Half Hollow Hills West its first loss of the season with a 4-0 win on Thursday, snapping Hills West's ten-game winning streak and pulling North Babylon into a tie for second place with West Babylon at 5-2-1 in League IV.

North Babylon and Hills West (10-1, 8-1) split the season series at one game each, with the Colts winning 2-1 on September 24.

"We have a confident core group of players that are coming together at the right time and playing our best soccer of the season," North Babylon coach Steve Corrado said. "Our team felt we let one slip against Hills the first time and we wanted to show that we can play with any team in the county. Today was a great team effort led by some great leaders in Christine Campanello on defense and Emily Ude and Casey Filippone on offense."

After a scoreless first-half, Ude scored the first of her two goals eight minutes into a second-half that was dominated by North Babylon. April Makely and Filippone also added second-half goals and Kelly Heimerle recorded her fifth shutout of the season.

Said Corrado: "In the end, one of our team goals is to finish this season playing our best soccer entering the playoffs."

This article was posted on the Newsday website, Girls' Soccer Blog on October 2, 2010.

By Mike Gavin

For Monday’s game, the North Babylon girls soccer team will be known not as the Bulldogs, but as "Team Scottaline."

In conjunction with the charity fundraiser Kicks for Cancer, which honors former Hauppauge student Courtney Tomkin who passed away from brain cancer at the age of 17 in December of 2008, the North Babylon girl’s soccer team will be rallying behind one of their own.

Kathy Scottaline, the wife of longtime assistant principal and teacher Mike Scottaline, was diagnosed with breast cancer over the summer. In order to raise money for breast cancer foundations, the team has held car washes and sold pink soccer ball donation cards and pink and black “Team Scottaline” T-shirts with all proceeds being donated in the Scottaline’s name.

A ceremony will be held prior to Monday’s 4 p.m. game against Riverhead at North Babylon High School to honor the Scottaline family. Many members of the school’s staff and their families will be in attendance, donning their Scottaline tees, and the team will trade in their traditional blue and white jerseys for numbered pink shirts in support of the Scottaline family and Kicks for Cancer. The game will also be played with a bright pink soccer ball.

This article was published in the Babylon Beacon on September 16, 2010

North Babylon Girls’ Soccer Team opens season

The North Babylon Girls’ Soccer team opened their season on Sept. 13 against defending League IV Champion, Deer Park at Phelps Lane Park. The Bulldogs are working for a return to the playoffs and win a fourth straight league title. The team returns eight players, who started games last season, that lost in county semi-finals and completed the 2009 campaign 13-5-1. Third-year head coach, Steve Corrado, believes that the disappointing loss in the semis has motivated the core group of the team to push each other further for the upcoming season. Coach Corrado is joined by assistant coach, Trish Lemanczyk, and first year JV coach Nicolle Dierna. The team is led by senior captains Casey Filippone, Christine Campanello, and Catherine Sandkuhl. Filippone, an All- County and All-State selection last year, posted a historic season for the Bulldogs with 17 goals in her junior campaign (second most in school history for a single season) and added four assists. Filippone is joined at forward by junior and All-County selection, Emily Ude. Ude scored seven goals and had three assists as a sophomore last season. All-Conference junior, Emily Greco, continues to quarterback the offense with a goal and 13 assists from a year ago. Campanello, an All- Conference selection as a junior, anchors a defense that allowed 0.91 goals against a year ago. Sandkuhl , an All-League Selection last season, draws the marking responsibility of the opponents top scorers. Returning in goal is junior, Kelly Heimerle, who posted an 8-1 record with five shutouts last season in nine starts after taking over in net half way through the league season last fall. Seniors and third year players, April Makely and Kelsey Reardon, add the necessary experience in the midfield with help from fellow seniors Emily Abma, Jillian Manzo and Danielle Dunne.

Other returning players on the team from last year’s League III Champions include junior Kelsey Hart on defense, sophomore midfielder Kelsie Brostek, and freshman forward Casey Fackner look to help the Bulldogs to their first trip to county finals since 1984.

North Babylon Seniors Casey Filippone, Christine Campanello, April Makely, Kelsey Reardon, and Catherine Sandkuhl along with Juniors Emily Greco and Emily Ude were selected to participate in the Suffolk Girls' Soccer Top 50 Showcase on July 17th at the Patchogue/Medford Sports Complex on Sipp Ave. in Medford. The event is by invitation only and consisted of some of top soccer players in Suffolk County entering the upcoming fall season.

This Showcase provided a great opportunity to show the college coaches what the players can do! All the players played in full sided games and conducted drills and small sided games. This gave every player the opportunity to be seen by college coaches from over a dozen schools/universities. The Suffolk Girls' Soccer Coaches Association, along with the Referees' Association and America's Future Prospects sponsored the event. To have seven players invited and participate is an honor for the players and the North Babylon program.

USA Basketball Announces 2010 USA U18 Women's National Team
By USA Basketball

Twelve Players Will Represent USA In 2010 FIBA Americas Championship For Women

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- After 16 finalists participated in six days of trials at the U.S. Olympic Training Center (USOTC) in Colorado Springs, Colo., USA Basketball today announced its final, 12-player 2010 USA Women's U18 National Team. The USA women will compete in the 2010 FIBA Americas U18 Championship, June 23-27 at the USOTC. The tournament will take place in Sports Center I and is open to the public.

"I'm real excited to get going," said Jen Rizzotti, USA U18 and University of Hartford head coach. "With 12 players, now, you know your pieces and you know your strengths and your weaknesses, so we can decide what we want to do. The next phase is about to begin, and we're real excited to fine tune some things and really get ready for the start of the tournament next week."

The 12-player roster includes: Diamond DeShields (Norcross H.S./Norcross, Ga.); Stefanie Dolson (Minisink Valley H.S./Port Jervis, N.Y.); Reshanda Gray (Washington Prep H.S./Los Angeles, Calif.); Cassie Harberts (San Clemente H.S./San Clemente, Calif.); Bria Hartley (North Babylon H.S./North Babylon, N.Y.); Malina Howard (Twinsburg H.S./Twinsburg, Ohio); Alexis Jones (MacArthur H.S./Irving, Texas); Allyson Malott (Madison H.S./Middletown, Ohio); Kayla McBride (Villa Maria Academy/Erie, Pa.); Chiney Ogwumike (Cy-Fair H.S./Cypress, Texas); Cassie Peoples (Cy-Fair H.S./Houston, Texas) and Theresa Plaisance (Vandebilt Catholic H.S./Marrero, La.).

Players must have been born on or before Jan. 1, 1992 to be eligible for the 2010 FIBA Americas U18 Championship, and the selections were made by the USA Junior National Team Committee, which is chaired by Sue Donohoe, the NCAA's vice president for Division I women's basketball. The committee also includes Joanne Boyle (University of California head coach), Coquese Washington (Penn State University head coach), Connie Yori (University of Nebraska head coach) and athlete representative Beth Cunningham (1999 USA Pan American Games Team member).

From June 8-11, 27 players battled during three days of trials for the USA U18 National Team, and 36 additional athletes competed in the USA U17 World Championship Team Trials. The USA Junior National Team Committee chose 16 finalists - 12 from the U18 trials and four from the U17 trials - to vie amongst each other for the 12 USA U18 National Team roster spots over four more trials sessions, which culminated with today's selections.

The team will now stay in Colorado Springs to train before competing in the 2010 FIBA Americas U18 Championship for Women.

This past weekend the New York State Sportswriters Association/NYSSCOGS named the 2009 Girls’ Soccer New York All-State Teams. Two players from North Babylon were selected for their outstanding 2009 season.

Casey Filippone, a junior, was selected to the 4th Team All-State. Casey scored 17 goals this season, that was among the leaders in Suffolk's Class AA, and had 4 assists. Bria Hartley, a senior, was selected to the 2nd Team All-State. Bria was the League III Player of the Year scoring 7 goals and had 7 seven assists. Bria also had five wins, with 3 shutouts as a goalie.

Great job and congratulations to both players on a great season!

The Entire Class AA All-State Teams are listed below:

Class AA

NYSSCOGS/NYSSWA State Player of the Year:
Kylie Strom (Union-Endicott-4)
NYSSCOGS/NYSSWA State Coach of the Year:
Mike McQuatters (CBA-3)

First Team
Sec.-GR-Pos-Player-(School)
01 10 A Sam McGuire (John Jay East Fishkill)
01 12 D Kiera Hunt (John Jay East Fishkill)
02 12 M Molly Popolizio (Shenendehowa)
03 11 A Alexis Koval (CBA)
04 12 M Kylie Strom (Union-Endicott)
04 12 A Liz Dwornik (Union-Endicott)
05 12 A Brittany Kinmond (Spencerport)
08 12 M Andrea Arnold (Massapequa)
08 11 D Jessica Widmann (East Meadow)
08 12 G Ashley Castanio (Oceanside)
11 10 M Kristi Abbate (Northport)

Second Team
01 12 A Keri Ann O'Connor (Ursuline)
01 12 M Aislin McIlveney (Arlington)
01 11 A Francesca Kentimentos (North Rockland)
02 12 A Kaitlyn Martin (Bethlehem)
02 11 A Kristina Maksuti (Bethlehem)
03 12 D Katie Gildemeyer (Baldwinsville)
04 12 G Brittain Wagner (Union-Endicott)
05 12 M Haley Marks (Penfield)
06 12 A Kristi Putzig (Williamsville North)
11 12 A Bria Hartley (North Babylon)
11 12 M Sophia Sanchez (Deer Park)
Third Team

01 12 A Samantha Russo (Yorktown)
01 11 M Geena Kooner (John Jay East Fishkill)
02 12 A Liz Boyer (Saratoga)
02 12 AM Katie Michaelis (Albany)
05 12 D Liz Cusato (Webster Thomas)
05 11 D Katie Schindler (Irondequoit)
06 12 M Courtney Mann (Frontier)
09 12 M Matison Williams (Washingtonville)
11 11 G Alyssa Gutierrez (Sachem East)
11 11 M Deanna Murino (Connetquot)
P 10 A Jackie Bruno (McKee Staten Island Tech)

Fourth Team
02 11 M Stacey Sylvetski (Niskayuna)
02 12 G Renae Cairns (Ballston Spa)
03 12 D Jenn Locey (CBA)
04 12 A Lindsay Lobevero (Union-Endicott)
05 12 A Natalie Rogers (Webster Thomas)
05 10 D Danielle Lehman (Brockport)
06 12 M Alex Rohloff (Clarence)
08 12 M Jillian Gross (East Meadow)
08 12 M Courtney Gross (East Meadow)
11 11 A Casey Filippone (North Babylon)
11 12 A Codi-Lyn Johnson (West Islip)

Fifth Team
02 12 MD Amanda Callanan (Ballston Spa)
02 12 MD Anna Gray (Bethlehem)
03 12 M Taylor D’Alfonzo (Cicero-N. Syracuse)
05 12 D Mandi Hochheimer (Aqiunas)
05 12 M Brittany Quatcert (Greece Athena)
06 10 M Jenna Panepinto (Kenmore West)
08 12 M Katie Murphy (Farmingdale)
09 12 M Aimee Goldstein (Monroe-Woodbury)
11 11 M Kelsey Ferguson (Sachem East)
C 12 M Devin Prendergast (LI St. John Baptist)
C 12 A Meredith Speck (LI Sacred Heart)

Sixth Team
02 11 MD Morgan Berry (Shaker)
02 12 A Hillary Rouse (Amsterdam)
03 12 A Laura Taylor (Auburn)
05 10 M Lisa Rogers (Irondequoit)
05 12 M Allison Kendall (Gates Chili)
06 11 D Meghan Lipinoga (North Tonawanda)
08 12 M Jackie Cammaratta (MacArthur)
11 12 M Sydney Bond (Deer Park)
11 12 M Jen Gibbons (Bellport)
11 12 D Kaitlyn Carballeira (Ward Melville)
C 10 M Gianna Smith (St. Joseph Hill)

This article was published in the November edition of the North Babylon Vignette - The high school newspaper.

NEVER BACK DOWN - 2009 GIRLS’ SOCCER
By Emily Walsh, senior defense player

Every sport is restricted to a certain time frame of a “season” to practice
and compete against other teams. However, all of the time and effort put
into the entire season really comes down to clinching a spot in the post-season playoffs. Teams take it one game at a time, but the ultimate goal is to finish at the top.

The Varsity Girls Soccer team was no different. However, with the loss of several extremely talented players from the previous year, expectations for our team had lowered greatly. As a senior captain, even I was slightly concerned with how the team was going to perform and execute together. Nevertheless, we worked hard through the summer and hell week, building our team and thus continued to push through the season. There were points
when it seemed that we weren’t strong enough individually, and as a team, to meet our goal of clinching a spot in the playoffs. However, we came together, developed a momentum and ended up co-champions of our league.

We finished our league 10-2-0, we were awarded a 5 seed out of 16 teams. Our coach, Mr. Corrado, told us that this standing thoroughly impressed all of Suffolk County. We had been viewed as a team with doubtful potential, not one that would be ranked so highly. But our girls had worked hard and never gave up, showing everybody what we were made of.
Thus, we had the opportunity of a lifetime, especially for us seniors. It was our last chance to make our impression on the soccer program, our school and our whole community. We didn’t want to end up the team that “could of, should of” succeeded in the playoffs.

With our coaches and fans behind us, we went full-force into the first round against Patchogue-Medford. We had beaten them before in non-league (scrimmage) play, but we didn’t let that statistic cloud our vision with overconfidence. The girls from Patchogue were extremely physical players and the officiating was terrible to say the least. However, the defense stayed strong to shut out the Pat-Med offense and senior Adrianna Gibbins penetrated theirs with the winning goal, making the score 1-0. The first round is always the hardest, but we played to our full potential and produced, advancing to the second round.

Four days later, after much preparation, we charged into the second round against longtime rivals Smithtown East. During the season, Smithtown East had beaten us on our home field, a favor we later returned. The atmosphere surrounding the game was thus even more charged with intensity as we stepped onto the field. After yet another tough game, where we had to enter two ten-minute halves of overtime, we pulled through strong again. In a matter of 5 minutes, we scored 3 goals. Casey Filippone scored twice, first off a cross from Emily Greco and then off of a pass from Bria Hartley. Kelsey Reardon scored a third goal with an assist from Bria Hartley. For the first time in 20 years, the North Babylon Varsity Soccer girls were going to the semifinal round of the playoffs.

We had the momentum, we had the drive, we had the determination, and we had the skill to go all the way to the end. Unfortunately, our next game as a team was our last game. With a huge upset, Sachem North squeaked out a win against us, 3-2. We scored twice in the first half and it looked like we were on the right path to the county championship. Sachem North capitalized on three small chances they had and took away our chance as county champions. We played our hearts out and left everything we had on the field. We fought until the very end, and I couldn’t have asked my teammates for anything more. Everything happens for a reason, so I guess it just wasn’t meant to be.

All and all, in the end, we still were very successful as a team. Even though all of us felt we could have won that game, and we’re disappointed that we didn’t get our chance in the county championship, we ended the season with pride. We were put down from the very beginning as a team not to be taken seriously, just because some top players were gone. The anger and frustration we all felt from the fact that people didn’t think we were a threat was our drive throughout our whole season. We showed the county, and all of Long Island, that we were a force to be reckoned with and we were not just going to take their criticism without a fight. Our coaches regard us as a very special group that will not be forgotten, and I believe we left a lasting impression on our community.

This article was published in the Nov. 26 edition of the Babylon Beacon.

Lady Bulldogs finish season, collect accolades
By Chris R. Vaccaro

The North Babylon girls' soccer team's season came to an end in the Suffolk County Class AA semifinals against Sachem North in November.
Though the Lady Bulldogs started their league schedule with a distasteful 3-4-1 record, and were plagued with a rash of early season injuries, they managed to rattle off a 10-game winning streak and travel deep into the Class AA playoffs
"This marks the first time since 1989 the girls' team made the semifinals," head coach Steve Corrado said, "and the third consecutive season the the team has won a league championship".

The group had a number of individual honors, too.
+ Adrianna Gibbins and Catherine Sandkuhl were named All-League. Emily Greco and Christine Campanello were selected All-Conference.
+ Emily Ude, Casey Filippone, and Bria Hartley were All-County selections.
+ Bria Hartley earned League III Player of the Year honors. She played goalkeeper for part of the season, recorded a 5-3-1 record (two shutouts) and finished the season with 7 goals and 7 assists.
Hartley, who committed to play basketball at the University of Connecticut next year, finished her soccer career fourth all-time in school history with 33 goals.
Corrado was named League III Coach of the Year and the team was recognized as a New York State Scholar Athlete Team.

This article was published in the Nov. 5 edition of the Babylon Beacon.

NB's Hartley a ‘Once in a Lifetime Athlete’
By Chris R. Vaccaro

Against Hills East this season, Bria Hartley set up a beautiful cross pass for a goal, scored a goal off a deflection, then moved back to play sweeper and defend. Normally, sentences about Hartley read with a basketball flow, filled with her high point totals, quick slashes to the net and her impressive leaping ability. Though Hartley has made her name as a basketball player, garnering national attention as one of the top five recruits in the nation, she is also a powerhouse on the soccer and lacrosse fields. A five-year varsity soccer player, Hartley catered to her North Babylon team’s needs with her athletic abilities this season by playing goalie for a portion of the year. She has played the position in the past. “We really didn’t have another keeper,” coach Steve Corrado said. “When she’s in goal, you have a comfort level that she’s going to play the position well. We’re lucky to have her. If she just picked [soccer or lacrosse] she would be just as successful [as basketball].” North Babylon was 5-3-1 with Hartley in net this season, but since she is a dominant threat on the field, the coaching staff brought up JV goalie Kelly Helmerle. Overall, Hartley is 10-3-2 in her varsity career in net.

Bria Hartley has made her name on the basketball court, but she’s a stellar soccer and lacrosse player, too. Hartley registered a goal and an assist in her first game on offense, a 2-0 win over Hills East. Two games later, she scored her team’s only two goals in a 2-1 win over Smithtown East. “Kids on the bench [are in awe] of the things she can do on the field,” Corrado said. Corrado is lucky Hartley was able to play soccer this season, with all of the pressure amounting from basketball. She is choosing between the University of Connecticut, Kentucky or the University of North Carolina and will make her choice between Nov. 11 and 18. “I’m really not sure which one yet,” said Hartley, who was named the New York State Gatorade Player of the Year in 2009. For now, she’s content on playing her fall sport, then will focus on the basketball season. After that comes lacrosse, her third sport of the year. “I like to stay active,” she said. “Sports are how I do that. I like all of them equally.” A quiet leader, who shows her teammates how to act by example, Hartley is an honors student with a 90-plus average in the classroom. “She represents our school district athletically and academically,” Corrado said. “She’s the top we have to offer and is a once in a lifetime athlete.”

Hartley stats: An All-County selection as a junior, Hartley has scored 33 career goals and assisted on 22 on the soccer field.

She averaged 22.4 points, 5.5 steals and 5.3 assists last season in basketball and led her team to a 19-2 record and Suffolk County Class AA semifinal appearance. She also has 1,373 career points. She was All-County in lacrosse as a mid-fielder last season.

This article will be published in the November edition of the North Babylon Vignette - The high school newspaper.

THE TEAM THAT NEVER GAVE UP
By Jhared Bigoya, senior writer

The girls’ varsity soccer team had an amazing season this year with an overall record of 13-5-1. Coaches Corrado and Lemanczyk were able to bring the girls all the way to the playoffs where they had their last game against Sachem North on Saturday, November 7th. They beat teams like Sachem North (in a non-league game), Half Hollow Hills East, Smithtown East, Smithtown West, and even broke the 19 year curse when they beat East Islip on Oct. 20th. We had a great lineup of starters. In the goal was Kelly Heimerle who got 5 shutouts out of 8 games.

Our defense con sisted of Christine Campanello, Captain Emily Walsh, Catherine Sandkuhl, April Makely and Jessica Reardon. The midfield consisted of Captain Adrianna Gibbins, Emily Ude, Emily Greco, Kelsey Reardon and Sarah Geary. The attack was Casey Filippone, the top scorer on the team, and Captain Bria Hartley (aka God). With this amazing lineup, the girls were bound to make it far.

Although they did not make it to the county finals, in my heart I believe that the North Babylon girls’ soccer team was the best team out there. When I first went to one of their games I thought it would probably be like every other boy’s soccer game I’d seen. But I was wrong. It was just so exciting to watch. Not only were they using great teamwork, but they were playing with a lot of intensity that someone who was even watching could feel. After the first game I saw, I started going to almost all of their games and saw that they were beating each team they faced and were coming within minutes of the county finals. I even talked to some of the people from the audience to see what they had to say. Mrs. Denise Alito said, “My son has been playing soccer for 12 years and I still haven’t seen him try as hard as these girls do at the games I’ve been to”.

Not only were the games fun to watch but the girls have such great personalities as well, and I know North Babylon wishes a great farewell to the Senior girls as much as I do. Stepping over the boundaries and taking victory by victory, the girls of the North Babylon Varsity Soccer put on a great fight this year and I hope that next year we will see as much talent and dedication as we did this year.

The North Babylon "White" Team completed an undefeated summer season at 8-0-2 and won the league championship with a 3-0 victory in the summer finale. Emily Ude opened the scoring and Kelsey Hart tallied two goals i the win. Kelly Heimerle played a solid net with the shutout. Kelly's effort followed up the exciting win in penalty kicks during the semi-final round when she made two saves to help propel the Bulldogs into the final. Adrianna Gibbins, April Makely, Emily Ude, Kelsey Reardon, Catherine Sandkuhl, and Emily Walsh all scored in the PK win.

Great job and begin preparing/training for the upcoming season!

North Babylon Seniors Adrianna Gibbins and Emily Walsh were selected to participate in the Suffolk Soccer Showcase on July 18th at the Patchogue/Medford Sports Complex on Sipp Ave. in Medford. The event is by invitation only and consisted of the top soccer players in Suffolk County entering their senior high school year, this fall.

This Showcase provided a great opportunity to show the college coaches what the players can do and that separates this showcase from any other College Showcases. Adrianna and Emily played in full sided games and conducted drills and small sided games. This gave every player the opportunity to be seen by college coaches from over a dozen schools/universities.

Congratulations to the following players who were honored at the Suffolk County Girls’ Soccer Coaches Association dinner on Monday, November 23, 2009. Adrianna Gibbins (senior) and Catherine Sandkuhl (junior) were selected to the League III All-League team. Emily Greco (sophomore) and Christine Campanello (junior) were selected to the All-Conference team. Emily Ude (sophomore), Casey Filippone (junior), and Bria Hartley (senior) were selected All-County. Bria Hartley was also chosen as the 2009 League III Player of the Year. Congratulations to all of the award winners and a highly successful 2009 season!