Long Island high school sports delivered a full slate of action Thursday, with compelling storylines unfolding across lacrosse, baseball, softball, and badminton. From dramatic overtime victories in lacrosse to dominant pitching performances on the diamond, student-athletes showcased skill and determination. The spring season is hitting its stride, and the competition is only intensifying as teams vie for playoff positioning and championships. This high school roundup highlights key results and standout performances from across Nassau and Suffolk counties.
A thrilling girls lacrosse contest between Long Island Lutheran and The Stony Brook School captivated audiences Thursday night. Sophie Lambert’s golden goal in the first overtime period secured an 11-10 victory for the visiting LuHi squad. The game was a back-and-forth affair, showcasing the talent and competitive spirit of both teams. Lambert’s six goals led the charge for Long Island Lutheran, while her twin sister, Bella, anchored the defense with 14 saves. The Stony Brook School put up a strong fight, led by Natalia Pagano’s four goals and a three-goal, two-assist performance from Mia Trama.
Lacrosse Showdowns: Boys and Girls
The boys lacrosse field also saw its share of excitement. Riverhead continued its strong start to the season with a decisive 9-3 win over Patchogue-Medford. Tucker Suter dominated at the faceoff X, winning 11 of 13 attempts, and added two goals for Riverhead. Nathan Wentwich contributed two goals and two assists, further solidifying Riverhead’s offensive prowess. Patchogue-Medford’s Ramon Mateo made an impressive 23 saves in the losing effort, demonstrating his skill in goal. In a closely contested non-league matchup, Hicksville edged out Great Neck South 6-5. Kevin Goldthwaite’s three goals proved crucial for Hicksville, while Chris Suflay’s 19 saves were instrumental in securing the victory.
Elsewhere in girls lacrosse, Westhampton secured an 11-9 victory over Rocky Point, fueled by a three-goal performance from Mia Mastropierro. Oceanside defeated Calhoun 9-7, with Riley Kudlek leading the way with four goals and six ground balls. Ella Salonia’s second goal of the game gave Oceanside a comfortable lead in the fourth quarter, ultimately sealing the win.
Softball: Pitching Dominance and Offensive Explosions
On the softball diamond, pitching was a key factor in several outcomes. Rylee Petruskie of Bethpage delivered a dominant performance, striking out 11 batters in a complete-game victory over East Meadow. Petruskie also contributed offensively, joining Daniella Palmeri and Isabella Lomangino with two hits apiece. Floral Park showcased a potent offense in a 13-11 win over Valley Stream North, with Bridget Schmitz going 3-for-3 with a double. Madison Sica and Chloe Zielinski also had standout performances, combining for eight hits and nine RBIs.
Wednesday’s games also featured strong pitching performances. Cate Ropiak of East Islip struck out eight batters over seven innings and hit a go-ahead RBI double in the fifth inning to lead her team to a 5-4 victory over Smithtown East. Autumn Malone of Mineola pitched a complete-game shutout with nine strikeouts in a 5-0 win over Clarke, while Juli Plunkett went 3-for-3 with a two-run home run.
Baseball: Strong Starts and Clutch Performances
In baseball, Plainedge defeated Wheatley 8-6, thanks to a strong pitching performance from Taylor Nitsch, who struck out 10 batters over four innings. Bobby Wescott earned the save, closing out the game with six strikeouts. Wantagh also secured a victory, defeating Floral Park 8-2, with Sal Ansaldi leading the charge with a home run and three RBIs. Lucas Patton of East Islip pitched a complete-game shutout with 10 strikeouts in a 6-0 win over Bellport. Smithtown West edged out Deer Park 2-1, with Kyle Flood allowing only one run on two hits over five innings.
Deer Park Soars in Girls Badminton
The Deer Park girls badminton team secured their first team victory of the season, defeating North Babylon 7-2. Maheen Tariq’s win in second singles clinched the win for the Falcons, who swept their singles matches. This marks a significant milestone for the program, which is only in its second season of competition.
As the spring season progresses, these teams and athletes will continue to push their limits and compete for championships. The coming weeks promise more exciting matchups and memorable moments across Long Island high school sports. Stay tuned for further updates and coverage as the season unfolds.
For more information on Long Island high school sports, including schedules and standings, visit the Newsday High School Sports page.
