East Girls Collapse in Second Half, Fall to T-Birds

Jane Quinn's goal with 47 seconds gave Connetquot the lead, capping an improbable comeback over Sachem East on Tuesday afternoon, 14-13.

After leading 11-5 at halftime, the Arrows (6-4 in League I, 6-5 overall) traded goals early in the second half with Connetquot. But the T-Birds scored the final six goals of the contest, including two from Courtney Oehl, to take the lead.

"We were able to reverse the roles in the second half," said Connetquot head coach Sal Piscitelli. "The girls did an outstanding job of moving the ball, finding open cutters and going to goal. They saw their opportunities and they really took it."

Nearly a minute after Connetquot goaltender Kristen McKasty denied Arrows leading scorer Katie Trombetta from close range, Jess Cordano tied the game at 13 with 3:09 to play.

Following Kassi Grant's second of three goals that trimmed East's lead to 13-11 with 8:31 to play, Arrows assistant coach Celest Celebre called a time out and unsuccessfully ripped into her players for allowing Connetquot back in the game. Celebre declined comment after the game.

The T-Birds (6-4, 8-4) jumped out to a 2-0 lead before Sachem stormed back with the next four. Trombetta and Jill Donodeo, who each had four goals, stretched the lead to six at halftime.

"The draws were critical," said Piscitelli. "They did an outstanding job in the first half, that’s what put them in the lead. They were able to control the ball."

However, East was unable to maintain possession for any length of time in the second half. The majority of the half was played in their own end, as Arrows goaltender Jen Gazdick was constantly under fire. She finished with five saves.

Trombetta had a chance to tie the game with just seconds remaining, but was called for a pushing foul as she took a shot that beat McKasty. The goal was called back, and the T-Birds clung to possession until the final seconds ticked away.