Two goals in under two minutes

The Bayport-Blue Point and Sayville girls varsity soccer teams had a showdown at Sayville High School that ended in a 2-0 Phantoms’ victory. Although BBP was the home team, the game was played on Sgt. Timothy Henck Memorial Field in Sayville, due to a junior varsity football game being played at BBP high school.

With a league record of 8-2 and overall record of 10-2-1, the Phantoms have only lost to expected No. 1 and No. 2 seeds Shoreham Wading River and Islip.

The well-matched Phantoms and Golden Flashes went scoreless until 36 minutes left in the half, with Connor Leahy scoring the first goal and followed up by the second goal at 34 minutes left in the half by Kailey Bruckner.

Leahy’s goal was scored off a free kick by Kaylin Walsh, that was  flicked to Leahy by a header through Sayville’s center-backs.

“The first goal never would have happened without Kaylin. Connor is great a ball reader, too, following the flight and trajectory of the ball,” said BBP head coach Katina Cokinos.

In anticipation for the game, BBP practiced a formation to combine four midfielders and build possession of the ball.

“We showed up as a team yesterday. We’ve been working on it for several weeks,” said Cokinos.

Complimenting Sayville head coach John Burke, Cokinos said, “He is a great guy, stand-up guy, and does a great job with his team.”

The BBP team also sought to neutralize the towering athleticism of players Lindsay Moynihan, Maya Troll, and Sophia Bifardi on Sayville.

“We knew with that type of talent on the other side, we’d have a hard time putting the ball away,” said Cokinos.

Strategy changed after BBP was two-up to a more defensive formation that put players on the wings to match Sayville and overwhelm.

“We didn’t stop playing soccer; we continued to play, and even had a few more chances,” said Cokinos.

Towards the last few minutes, Cokinos said the players shone in game management, which was an area of weakness last season, in how to manage the clock, keeping balls down by the sidelines, and assuring good clearances are extra good.