South Side wins Nassau Class AA title on penalty kicks
Molly Barry of South Side puts the winning kick in the goal during an overtime shootout for the Nassau Class AA girls soccer final against Garden City on Sunday. Credit: Dawn McCormick
South Side senior Molly Barry stepped up to the penalty line with only Garden City goalkeeper Marisa Patrissi standing between the Cyclones and the Nassau Class AA girls soccer title.
When the whistle blew, Barry delivered a perfect strike to the right side of the net, sending the ball into the back of the goal. The South Side fans in the bleachers at Farmingdale State erupted as the Cyclones won, 4-3, on penalty kicks, earning the championship and completing a season of redemption after last year’s loss to top-seeded Garden City.
“I think in the most important moments in the game, sometimes you just don’t think,” Barry said. “You know that the game-winning opportunity is at your feet, but you can’t think of it like that.”
The game was intense from the first whistle. South Side struck quickly, scoring within the first 10 minutes of play. After Brooke Doreste’s penalty kick hit the post, Julie Faranda quickly reacted, converting the rebound and putting the Cyclones on the board first.
“A lot of the credit needs to be given to Brooke and Julie for that first goal,” Barry said. “Having that edge was huge for us.”
From there, the Cyclones fought off wave after wave of attacks from the Trojans with help from senior goalkeeper Abby Gruner, who finished with six saves in regulation and 10 saves overall.
“She’s been such a great leader for us,” coach Judi Croutier said. “She’s been growing as the season went on, and she’s peaking at the right time.”
With four minutes remaining in regulation, Garden City’s Anna Olcott finished off a corner kick, tying the score at 1 and setting the stage for a tense 15-minute overtime.
“When they tied it, we didn’t let that discourage us,” Barry said.
Gruner came up big in the scoreless first overtime, making three game-saving stops.
After a second overtime ended with the score still tied at 1, the championship came down to penalty kicks.
Doreste, Madalena Suarez, Gruner and Barry converted for South Side. Gruner also made a diving save to her left to keep the Cyclones alive.
“I try to focus on the team and how I can be there for them,” Gruner said. “It’s easy to feel the pressure, so I try and stay positive.”
Garden City finished 12-3-4.
South Side (11-5-1) will face the winner of No. 1 West Islip/No. 2 Harborfields at 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Whitman High School for the Long Island title.
“We’re going to celebrate this, but then it’s back to hard work,” Gruner said. “We just need to continue to work and believe in each other.”
