Northport Girls Lacrosse Tops Farmingdale for Long Island Class A Title

The girls lacrosse team halted Farmingdale in their tracks to capture the Class A Long Island championship Saturday night at Hofstra University with a 14-7 win.

Northport (18-2), who cruised by Bay Shore for the Suffolk title, led the whole way to end a dominant streak by Farmingdale (16-2). The Dalers were two-time defending New York State champions and runner-up in 2007 and 2008.

After falling three times in the Long Island championship to the Dalers since the Class championship format was implemented in 2005, the Tigers of Northport finally shined through to move onto the state semifinals at SUNY Cortland.

“We are thrilled and excited and have been working so hard for this since we lost to Bay Shore last year,” said Northport head coach Carol Rainson Rose. “It’s been our goal to get back and win the Suffolk county championship game and then to win this one.”

Shannon Gilroy led the way for Northport with four goals and an assist and Cortney Fortunato added three goals. Kimberly Kolodny scored two goals along with an assist in the losing effort.

Northport’s Kiera McNally scored first on a rebound shot, but Farmingdale’s Colleen Reynolds tied the game at 1-1 just two minutes later. Northport then took a commanding 4-1 lead after Gilroy, Fortunato and Paige Bonomi all found the back of the net.

Farmingdale fought back to put in three of the next four goals, but a second goal by Megan Marinelli gave her team a 6-4 lead after 25 minutes.

In the opening minutes of the second half, the two battled tested teams traded goals to put the score at 8-6 with 18:47 to go. Northport turned momentum onto their side with two goals in a 12 second span to lead 10-6, their largest thus far.

Gilroy and Kolodny each scored goals for their sides before Northport scored three more goals to push the lead to seven and put the title out of reach for the defending-state champs.

Farmingdale picked up four yellow cards in the final 15 minutes to hinder their efforts at any comeback as Northport held on for their first Long Island title since the 2004 season.

Heroes: Shannon Gilroy led her team with four goals when two key starters were held out of action, including Erin Magnuson (red card) and Mary Pat Theofield (injury).

“To be out here and win for one of our teammates who couldn’t be here today is just great,” Gilroy said. “Our girls stepped up in the game and we couldn’t have asked for anything better.”

Turning Point: When Northport scored twice in 12 seconds just a minute after Farmingdale cut the lead to two goals, it gave the Tigers a clear edge the rest of the way.

Quotable: “We wanted it so bad and they played with such intensity, heart and desire. We were in shape, running all over the field tonight,” added Rose. “I hope to do well upstate because we’ve got a good team here and we want to bring the state title back to Long Island.”           

“We were stagnant on offense and were surprised of their high defensive pressure. This year the ball didn’t bounce into our sticks a lot in this game,” Farmingdale head coach Shari Campbell said. “The legacy of these seniors is that they changed the history of this program of Lady Dalers lacrosse.”

Bottom Line: Farmingdale had built a sense of a dynasty team with two state titles and four consecutive appearances in the championship game since 2007, but Northport looked past the history to start a potential run of their own on Saturday night.

Key Stat: Northport held two of Farmingdale’s top scorers this year, seniors Kelly McPartland and Jamie Leone, out of the scoring column in the title game.

Who’s Next: Northport vs. Lakeland/Panas (Sect. I) June 10, 2:30 p.m. (SUNY Cortland-Red Field)

Box Score:

Goals-Assists: N: Gilroy 4-1, Fortunato 3-0, Bonomi 2-1, Marinelli 2-0, McNally 2-0, Pavinelli 1-0. Totals: 14-2. F: Kolodny 2-1, Engleke 2-0, Hadnagy 2-0, Reynolds 1-0, Ochwat 0-2, K.McPartland 0-1. Totals: 7-4. Goalies: N: Aymong- 8 saves; F: Gurecki- 12 saves.