Sayville girls soccer goalkeeper Julia Madsen helps Golden Flashes earn first LI title in program history

Sayville was less than a minute away from winning its first-ever girls soccer Long Island championship.

But with 32 seconds left, it was up to eighth-grade goalkeeper Julia Madsen to maintain the one-goal lead.

Seaford’s Kendall Tricoli lofted a shot high as the crowd held its breath. Madsen leaped and reached with her right hand, getting a piece of the ball. It then rang off the crossbar, and Madsen secured possession before the celebration began.

“I’ve never been more nervous,” Madsen said. “I just tried to think, as long as the ball isn’t in my net, we’re good. So I just put forward all my effort to keep it out, and my teammates are just so great.”

Sayville held on to win 2-1 over Seaford in the Long Island Class A girls soccer championship at Harborfields High School on Wednesday night.

Sayville reached the Long Island championship in 2010 and 2013 but was never able to bring home the hardware — until now.

This senior class was first coached by John Burke when they were in preschool. Now in their last season, Burke and this group were able to make school history.

“It’s emotional; it brought tears to my eyes,” Burke said. “It’s something we’ve talked about for so long, and it’s just hard to speak because of how much this means.”

One of those seniors, Morgan Farrell, helped set the tone early for the Golden Flashes.

Sayville had opportunities in the opening minutes, including a shot from Farrell that was saved. In the 25th minute, the Golden Flashes broke through.

Makayla Farinhas put a pass right on the money to Farrell, who struck the ball with her left foot to the far side of the net. It deflected off the post and in, giving Sayville a 1-0 advantage.

“I am so incredibly proud of this team,” Farrell said. “This is a group of amazing young girls, and so many of them are younger. I can’t even imagine what they’re going to be like when they grow up, and it just feels right that this happened.”

After trailing 1-0 at halftime, Seaford came out firing.

A pass from Meghan Stovall deflected off a Sayville defender and hit the post before Madsen was able to corral possession. Kaylie Conklin also delivered a header that was stopped by Madsen to preserve the lead in the 50th minute.

Back-and-forth action continued between the two powers as offensive chances were generated but came up empty.

Sayville applied pressure in search of an important second goal, and in the 61st minute, senior Sophia Buffardi answered the call.

Maiya Troll delivered a corner kick, and Buffardi went up for the header and came down celebrating a goal.

Just moments earlier, Buffardi had a header sail over the crossbar — but this time, she had a better feeling.

“I saw the ball, I felt it, and I knew it was going in the back of the net,” Buffardi said. “Maiya put it perfectly for me. It was amazing. I’m so happy it worked out.”

Although down by two goals in the second half, Seaford refused to go away.

In the 73rd minute, multiple players battled for the ball before Giuliana Viggiano kicked it over the goalkeeper to bring the Vikings within one.

“I love these kids,” Seaford coach Ken Botti said. “Super proud of the girls. They kept pushing, and they certainly wanted it. I’m proud of their effort.”

But as time trickled down, Madsen’s phenomenal save proved to be the difference.

Sayville will face Rye on Saturday, Nov. 8, at Arlington High School.

“It’s amazing,” Farrell said. “I love these girls with my whole heart, and we truly are such a family.”