Yesterday afternoon, the girls’ soccer team improved to 2-0 in League VIII as they sent Southold/Greenport back to the North Fork with a 5-1 loss. Five different Bears scored in the home opener, showing that they are an offensive force despite their youth.

1st Half

The Bears began pressuring the Clippers’ goalie early, keeping the ball on Southold’s half of the field and putting several shots on goal. However, it was Southold who broke through first at 29:48 on a long shot from outside the box that sailed just over Mikaela Stiklickas’ head. Shackled with a 0-1 deficit, the Blue and White did not display a shred of panic but went right back to attacking the net. The Brook won seemingly every goal kick, carried the ball up the sideline, crossed the ball into the middle and sent shots toward the net.

It felt as though a goal was inevitable and at 23:54 we nearly had the equalizer when the Clippers’ netminder misplayed a shot from Kelsey Wentling that seventh-grader Morgan Pius nearly tucked away. The Brook had two corner kick opportunities but neither yielded anything. With time continuing to wind down on the first half, the Bears needed a big play, and it was one of the youngest players on the team who answered the call.

Morgan Pius’ incredible hustle led to the equalizing goal when she took the ball away from a defender in the backfield, sent in a cross, then sent a header back into the fray. Her individual play kept possession alive in enemy territory just long enough for Hannah Barker to score her first goal of the season in a scrum right on the goal line with 12:08 remaining in the half.

After knotting the game, the Brooker pressure only increased as they tried to wrest away the game’s momentum heading into the break. Their incessant tenacity was rewarded when Wentling, back after missing all of last season with an ACL tear, volleyed a ball into the top shelf after a great corner kick from freshman Emily Pius with just 41 seconds left. | 2-1

2nd Half

The 10-minute intermission did nothing to slow down the attacking Bears. Gianna Scavo, who has battled injuries for the first few weeks of the season, came alive in the second half, sending in beautiful corner kicks and crosses and dominating the right side of the field. With 23:25 left in the game, she broke the game open by burying a gorgeous cross from Pius, one of her two assists, to build a 3-1 lead. The Bears were far from done as freshmen Emily Pius and Daija Rubino would each add goals before the rout was over.

Impressions

You cannot help but smile at how youthful our team is. They may not have as much experience as last year’s squad and that immaturity shows itself at times, but their heart, passion, and love for the game is palpable. The young talent on this team is remarkable and one can’t help but think of how exciting it will be to watch these Bears grow together over the next four seasons.

Morgan Pius (7th grade) created opportunities for her teammates all game long, Annie Skorobohaty (8th) was tenacious on the left wing, Emily Pius (9th) made defenders look foolish with her incredible foot skills, McKenna Rylands (9th) was huge on defense, Julia Shi (9th) was a big presence at the forward position, and Daija Rubino (9th) became the leading scorer for this team with her second goal of the season. There will be a few more banners on the Swanson Gymnasium walls before this group it done.

The Bears return to the field this Saturday @ 10:00am against last year’s Class D State runner-up, Smithtown Christian.

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