Positives Taken In Season-Opening Loss For Hurricane Girls Soccer

After more than a year apart, the Westhampton Beach girls soccer team was back out on the field together on Monday, March 8, on what was the opening day of competition for fall sports, playing well in a 2-1 loss at home to Sayville.

The turf field at Westhampton Beach High School would typically not be hosting a soccer game in March, but of course nothing has been typical in the last year. The Hurricanes, along with other teams that traditionally play in the fall, will compete in a month-long regular season, with the last game set for April 8, followed by an abbreviated postseason, before the spring sports teams take center stage for their own shortened season.

The length of the season and the time of year when they are playing aren’t the only changes for girls soccer programs in Suffolk County this season. They have also gone back to a more traditional league schedule, after playing in a power-ranked system the last two years. Instead of playing half of their games against teams ranked above them and half of their games against teams ranked below them, (and not typically playing any of the same teams twice), teams are now back in a format where they are placed in leagues according to school population size, and they will play each team in League VI twice.

“Our entire league is strong with teams that typically go deep into the playoffs each year,” Westhampton Beach head coach Erika Habersaat said. “Sayville, Islip, Harborfields, and Kings Park will be a challenge. But if we go .500, we make the playoffs. That’s what we are striving for.”

The Hurricanes didn’t win on Monday, but looked good in a loss to one of those stronger teams. They held an early lead after Ella Dunathan scored off an assist from Caroline Henke, but Sayville scored twice in the final minutes of the first half to provide what would be the final margin. Sydney Wood made nine saves in goal for Westhampton Beach.

“With five days to prepare for this game against Sayville, who is typically a strong program, the girls showed a great deal of effort and potential,” Habersaat said.

Habersaat added that despite all the changes, she’s happy to be back out on the field with her team, especially because the potential she’s seen in this squad for the past few years was supposed to come to fruition this season.

“There is a good deal of depth on the team, and many players can play a variety of different positions, so that is definitely a good thing,” she said. “I have 11 seniors, so we will graduate a lot after this year. But this class is one of the biggest reasons I’m happy we are getting a season in. They have been working together in the program for the past three years and have consistently been a very positive and cohesive group.”

The Canes are facing the same challenges as most other teams, trying to do their best after a very short preseason and jumping into league play without any scrimmages or non-league games to work out any kinks. They’re hitting the ground running too, and won’t stop for the next month, with two or three games on their schedule every week. Habersaat said it will be exhausting for the players, but she’s confident they will rise to the challenge.

“What I’ve noticed about this team is that they come out every day ready and excited to play,” she said. “They are very happy to have the opportunity to work hard and compete.”

Seniors Henke and Dunathan should lead the team on attack this season, while Molly Skorobohaty, Courtney Wenzel and Gabby Johnson will anchor the defense and have multiple years of varsity playing experience. Junior Trinity Valenzuela, who has been on the varsity since eighth grade, will bolster the midfield, and sophomore Amanda Shannon and freshman Sarah Gormley will also be impact players. Habersaat said Wood, a senior, had a strong first outing in goal.

Westhampton Beach was scheduled to visit Rocky Point on March 10 for a 4 p.m. game, and was slated to be back at home against Harborfields for a game at noon on March 13. The Hurricanes will visit Islip for a 4 p.m. game on March 15.