WMHS Field Hockey Captures County on Jacobson's OT Goal

The Ward Melville field hockey team fired shot after shot at the Sachem East goal, and after an hour of doing so in the Suffolk County Class A championship game, it still had nothing to show for it on the scoreboard.

Finally, though, the Patriots were rewarded for their persistence. With just over three minutes gone in overtime – their first OT all season – Sam Jacobson redirected a rebound from a Callie Vitalo shot, lifting it just to the goalie's right to give top-seeded Ward Melville a 1-0 victory and its fourth consecutive county title.

"It felt amazing," Jacobson said. "I was just in disbelief. … When Callie took the shot, I wanted to get it right back. We figured if we keep pounding the goalie, eventually it's going to go in."

The Patriots' win set up a rematch with Nassau County champion Massapequa in Sunday's Long Island title game at C.W. Post (2 p.m.).

"The feeling is amazing," senior co-captain Abby Beltrani said. "We pushed all game, we dominated and had a bunch of corners. That goal is a tribute to all the hard work and dedication we put in throughout the year. We'll celebrate tonight and then focus on the next game."

In overtime, the third-seeded Arrows (13-4) had an early surge that was thwarted by the Ward Melville defense. The Patriots raced in the other direction, with Jacobson and Beltrani having just the goalie, Jordan Miller, between it and the title. The ball was directed just wide, setting up the Patriots' 16th penalty corner of the match, only this time the 7-on-7 format gave them more breathing room.

During regulation, Beltrani had shot missile after missile from the top of the circle but came up empty. The ball was pushed her way again in OT, and instead of unleashing another shot, she dumped it off to Vitalo. Her attempt was denied as well, but Jacobson collected the loose ball and lifted it inside the left post for the game-winner.

"On the last corner, I told the team to space it out, read the defense and take what it gave them," head coach Shannon Watson said. "The left side was open for most of the game and that's what we did. It was the picture-perfect way to end it."

The Arrows were the only team in the county to score multiple goals in a game against Ward Melville, falling 3-2 on the road, during the regular season. On Thursday, they became the first squad to hold Melville scoreless during regulation and also to take the perennially strong Pats to overtime. However, the Patriots "stuck together," as Jacobson put it, and finally broke through.

East did well to escape the first half without giving up a goal. Sachem had a surge early in the opening half, but the majority what remained in the half was dominated by Melville. Beltrani had her share of rockets from the top of the circle. However, while their edge in time of possession was significant, the Patriots weren't able to crack the Sachem defense.

Momentum swayed in the Arrows' favor during the second half, particularly in the waning moments. With eight minutes remaining, they were given a corner but Katie Trombetta's blast was booted away by Ward Melville goalie Lauren Tarantino (8 saves).

"[Sachem] had plenty of corners too," Watson said. "The defense played well and focused on getting the ball out of the circle."

Sachem was then put in a difficult spot with 5:36 to go in regulation as a player was sent off for a questionable unsportsmanlike conduct call. Seconds later, East drew another corner despite being a man down, East drew another corner. This time, Trombetta's shot beat Tarantino, but Patriot defender Deryn Blaney was able to clear it off the line. A minute or so later, a Trombetta shot from near the sideline wove around defenders' legs but was saved by Tarantino.