Syosset flag football's Ivy Matthews, Kate Nelmes power win
Syosset quarterback Ivy Matthews passes into the flats during a Nassau Conference A flag football game against Valley Stream in Syosset on Friday, May 9, 2025. Credit: Peter Frutkoff
It’s a connection that helped lead the Syosset girls basketball team to the state semifinal in March. Now, it's leading the school's flag football team to its most successful season yet.
Senior Kate Nelmes was recruited to play by teammate Ivy Matthews, and the pair demonstrated how they're able to bring their chemistry from the court to the field as they connected for two touchdowns in Friday night's 19-0 home win over Valley Stream District in the rain.
Nelmes opened up the scoring with 10:38 left in the first half when she grabbed a 24–yard touchdown pass from Matthews.
“I knew I had to be careful with the football because it was raining,” Nelmes said. “Every time [Matthews] has the ball, I just run as fast as I can. I know she’ll be able to hit me wherever I end up.”
After a defensive stop, three receptions from Sienna Cummo and a 26-yard run from Matthews, Syosset faced a fourth-and-goal from the 8. Matthews found Nelmes in the end zone with 3:18 on the clock, and Matthews added the conversion to bring Syosset to a 13-0 lead at the half.
Both teams were scoreless in the second half until the final seconds. Matthews intercepted Valley Stream District’s pass with just less than a minute left. Then, on the final play of the game, she ran free for a 79-yard touchdown.
“I honestly don’t even know what happened there,” Matthews said. “I remember running past those first two defenders and just thinking, ‘let’s go all the way.’ ”
Angelina James of Valley Stream tries to get around Sienna Cummo of Syosset during a Nassau Conference A flag football game in Syosset on Friday, May 9, 2025. Credit: Peter Frutkoff
Matthews completed 16 of 23 passes for 172 yards and two touchdowns. She added four flag pulls. Mia Barrie had seven flag pulls and three sacks. Lauren Alvarez had a sack for Valley Stream District (11-2).
“I decided to join flag football this season because I would always hear from Ivy and the other girls just how much fun it is,” said Nelmes, who also had a sack. “It’s my senior year. I just thought, ‘why not?' "
Syosset's success this season means a lot to Matthews, who along with teammates Taylor Brecher and Julia Weiss helped bring the flag football program to fruition just three years ago. Now, Syosset is 11-1.
“It’s been great to see it all come together,” Matthews said. “We’ve never done this well before, and I feel like since it’s our third year, we’re finally getting the hang of it and have a better feel for our opponents.”
