McKelvey, Craig Lift Pierson Field Hockey Team to Ninth Consecutive Suffolk County Championship Win - 27 East

McKelvey, Craig Lift Pierson Field Hockey Team to Ninth Consecutive Suffolk County Championship Win

icon 14 Photos
Pierson/Bridgehampton field hockey captains Bella Eldridge, Eva McKelvey, Cali Wilson and Lily Perello race the Suffolk County Class C Championship plaque over to their teammates. MARIANNE BARNETT

Pierson/Bridgehampton field hockey captains Bella Eldridge, Eva McKelvey, Cali Wilson and Lily Perello race the Suffolk County Class C Championship plaque over to their teammates. MARIANNE BARNETT

Pierson/Bridgehampton's field hockey team hoists up its Suffolk County championship plaque. MARIANNE BARNETT

Pierson/Bridgehampton's field hockey team hoists up its Suffolk County championship plaque. MARIANNE BARNETT

Members of Pierson/Bridgehampton's field hockey team race to goalkeeper Grace D'Angelo to celebrate the win. MARIANNE BARNETT

Members of Pierson/Bridgehampton's field hockey team race to goalkeeper Grace D'Angelo to celebrate the win. MARIANNE BARNETT

Pierson/Bridgehampton's field hockey team after its 2-1 win over Greenport/Southold for the Suffolk County Class C title. MARIANNE BARNETT

Pierson/Bridgehampton's field hockey team after its 2-1 win over Greenport/Southold for the Suffolk County Class C title. MARIANNE BARNETT

Pierson/Bridgehampton's field hockey team secured the program's ninth straight Suffolk County Class C championship Monday. MARIANNE BARNETT

Pierson/Bridgehampton's field hockey team secured the program's ninth straight Suffolk County Class C championship Monday. MARIANNE BARNETT

Junior midfielder Cali Wilson moves the ball across the field with a defender on her hip. MARIANNE BARNETT

Junior midfielder Cali Wilson moves the ball across the field with a defender on her hip. MARIANNE BARNETT

Senior midfielder Eva McKelvey maintains possession of the ball. MARIANNE BARNETT

Senior midfielder Eva McKelvey maintains possession of the ball. MARIANNE BARNETT

Freshman forward Locklyn Craig celebrates her goal with her teammates. MARIANNE BARNETT

Freshman forward Locklyn Craig celebrates her goal with her teammates. MARIANNE BARNETT

Senior midfielder Lily Perello sends the ball into play. MARIANNE BARNETT

Senior midfielder Lily Perello sends the ball into play. MARIANNE BARNETT

Senior midfielder Lily Perello passes the ball up the field over defender's stick. MARIANNE BARNETT

Senior midfielder Lily Perello passes the ball up the field over defender's stick. MARIANNE BARNETT

Freshman forward Locklyn Craig moves the ball up the field. MARIANNE BARNETT

Freshman forward Locklyn Craig moves the ball up the field. MARIANNE BARNETT

Freshman midfielder Lola Eldridge attempts to send the ball past Greenport/Southold senior goalkeeper Dylan Reilly. MARIANNE BARNETT

Freshman midfielder Lola Eldridge attempts to send the ball past Greenport/Southold senior goalkeeper Dylan Reilly. MARIANNE BARNETT

Freshman midfielder Lola Eldridge sends the ball into play off a penalty corner. MARIANNE BARNETT

Freshman midfielder Lola Eldridge sends the ball into play off a penalty corner. MARIANNE BARNETT

Members of Pierson/Bridgehampton's field hockey team are all smiles after securing the program's ninth consecutive Suffolk County Class C championship title. MARIANNE BARNETT

Members of Pierson/Bridgehampton's field hockey team are all smiles after securing the program's ninth consecutive Suffolk County Class C championship title. MARIANNE BARNETT

Desirée Keegan on Oct 31, 2023

Senior Eva McKelvey saw her penalty corner shot hit the back of the box and instantly knew it would ignite a fire in her team. It did just that, propelling the Pierson/Bridgehampton field hockey team to its ninth straight Suffolk County Class C championship win, a 2-1 victory over Greenport/Southold, at Newfield High School Monday night.

“It fueled us,” said the senior five-year starter. “As soon as we get on the board, we get going.”

As an upperclassman with the most experience, McKelvey also knew she would be relied on more heavily under first-year head coach Laura DeSario, especially after the Whalers lost six four-to-five-year varsity players from last season’s squad.

“We came into this year with our heads kind of down, knowing we were going to have to rebuild this year, but the freshmen stepped up,” McKelvey said. “These girls work so hard every single second, from workouts to game time.”

Pierson (5-10) had multiple penalty corners, but it was in the second quarter that the girls capitalized on one of McKelvey’s many hard-hitting shots right off the pass from freshman Lola Eldridge.

“I knew I’ve be relied on to take more of the shots off the corners, so I kept telling myself, ‘I’m going to get this. I’m going to get this,’ and when it went in, I was so excited,” the senior said. “It’s a different game on turf than it is on the grass field we play on, and we knew beating them in-season didn’t mean anything, but there’s such great potential on this team.”

Her shot rocked the box at the 4:00 mark, and less than a minute later, freshman Lochlyn Craig received a pass from Eldridge’s older sister Bella, a junior, for a quick 2-0 advantage.

“The first few games of the season were really scary because you don’t really know exactly what you’re doing, but as the season goes on, you start to figure things out,” Craig said. “The seniors made it easier.”

DeSario said she’s seen it first hand.

“The experienced girls took the younger ones under their wings — developed them and built up their confidence,” the coach said. “They all love the sport and love playing with each other. They’re a great group of girls, and I’m really proud of all of them.”

But the coach seconded McKelvey’s sentiment that while the Whalers shut out the Porters (2-13) 2-0 during the regular season, she didn’t want her girls to rest on their laurels. Especially when Mae Dominy cut Pierson’s lead in half with 3.2 seconds left in the second quarter.

“We wanted to come in fresh,” DeSario said. “We wanted urgency and push in the circle — but their goalie is just outstanding. She’s hard to get around.”

Pierson racked up 19 corners to Greenport’s two, and Porters senior goalkeeper Dylan Reilly made 16 saves.

“We wanted to capitalize on the corners a little more than we did, but the girls played great,” DeSario said. “Thinking about where we started to where we are now, this feels awesome, and it’s nice in my first year to keep the tradition going.”

“The amount of dedication that’s gone into every single contest — we worked our butts off all year ­— is the reason why we’re here now,” McKelvey added. “We feel worthy of this.”

Another tradition lies ahead, as the Whalers face Nassau County’s Carle Place in the Long Island Championship game on Sunday, November 5, at Northport High School at 10 a.m.

“We’ve got some work to do, but I’m excited,” DeSario said. “We want to keep this going. We’re going to keep soaring high.”

You May Also Like:

Weekly Roundup: East Hampton Girls Swimming Wins Another League Meet; Hampton Bays Boys Soccer, Bonac Boys Volleyball End Losing Streaks

East Hampton Girls Soccer
Defeats Hampton Bays Shayla Buestan scored a goal and assisted on another, and Elle Reidlinger, Amy Torres and Hailey Benenaula each scored as the Bonackers (2-2 in League VIII, 2-8 overall) defeated Hampton Bays, 4-2, at home on October 1. Alejandra Montoya scored both goals for the Baymen (1-3 in League VIII, 1-7 overall) and Yahisha Guillen made seven saves. Bonac Girls Swimming
Earns Second League Win The East Hampton/Pierson/Bridgehampton girls swim team (2-0 in League III, 3-3 overall) jumped out to a 16-2 lead at host West Islip on October 1, going 1-2 in the first two ... 8 Oct 2024 by Staff Writer

Weekly Roundup: East Hampton, Hampton Bays Girls Soccer Get First Wins; Southampton Girls Volleyball Has Won Five Straight

Parra, Salcedo’s Goals
Lead Bonac Boys Soccer Yandel Parra and Juan Salcedo each scored in the second half to lead East Hampton (5-2-1 in League VI, 5-3-1 overall) to a 2-0 victory at Eastport-South Manor on Thursday, September 26. Randy Japa made five saves for the shutout. East Hampton Girls Soccer
Earns First Victory The Bonackers (1-1 in League VIII, 1-7 overall) broke out for seven first half goals leading to a 7-0 home victory over Wyandanch on September 25. Amy Torres scored two goals and added an assist while Sofia Pantosin chipped in another two goals. Shayla Buestan, Nayive Chapa and ... 1 Oct 2024 by Staff Writer

Strong Third Quarter Leads to 3-0 Victory Over Southampton for Pierson/Bridgehampton Field Hockey

After a scoreless half by both teams, the Pierson/Bridgehampton field hockey team broke out for ... 25 Sep 2024 by Drew Budd

Weekly Roundup: Strong Start to League Play for Girls Tennis Teams; Hampton Bays, Westhampton Beach Girls Volleyball Off To Strong Starts

Garcia Scores Twice for Bonac Boys Soccer Ariel Garcia scored a pair of goals for the East Hampton boys soccer team (4-1 in League VI, 4-2 overall) in its 6-3 victory at Westhampton Beach on Monday. Juan Salcedo and Jonathan Armijos each scored and had an assist as well. Eduardo Calle had two assists. Matt Moran made eight saves in goal for the Hurricanes (0-6 overall) who were led offensively by Lincoln O’Connell’s hat trick. East Hampton Boys Golf Bounces Back After losing the season opener at Westhampton Beach, the Bonackers have rattled off three straight victories, their latest a 9-0 ... 18 Sep 2024 by Staff Writer

Pierson Field Hockey Vying for 10th Consecutive County Title This Season

With last year’s underclassmen gaining a lot of experience, and the loss of just two ... 11 Sep 2024 by Desirée Keegan

Sag Harbor Grad, Former AD Eric Bramoff Takes Over at Shoreham-Wading River

Eric Bramoff is heading back to Section XI, and he couldn’t be happier. The former ... 1 Jul 2024 by Desirée Keegan

Fall Postseason Honors for Pierson/Bridgehampton Teams

Pierson Boys Cross Country Class D Champion, All-County, state qualifier: Justin Gardner All-County, state qualifier: ... 13 Mar 2024 by Staff Writer

Pierson Field Hockey Falls in Long Island Championship Game

Lily Perello said her goal this season was just to keep the winning spirit alive ... 7 Nov 2023 by Desirée Keegan

Where Are They Now? Kasey Gilbride, Who Led Whalers to State Championship Ten Years Ago, Is Leading Varsity Team in Richmond

It was the sound, more than anything else, that was most memorable — the hard, ... 25 Oct 2023 by Cailin Riley

A Look Back at the Pierson Field Hockey Team's Thrilling State Championship Win, Ten Years Later

Over the course of nearly a century, Pierson High School had only one state title ... by Cailin Riley