Dayna Defliese gets sandwiched between Rocky Point's Melissa Ten Napel and Abigail Ross. Photo by Newsphoto.com It was all too familiar. For the third straight year Garden City's girls varsity lacrosse team was meeting Rocky Point to play for the Long Island Class B title. This year's game was being played at Hofstra University on a rainy Sunday, June 3rd. Winning this game would give the Trojans the chance to advance to the state semifinals and ultimately to defend their 2006 Championship. The Trojans had already won the Nassau County title by defeating Wantagh on May 30th but they knew that Rocky Point was going to be a tough match. And tough it was.

Early on, GC's Becky Lynch scored two goals on assists from Brittany Wilton and Elise Terracciano to give the Trojans a 2-0 lead. Rocky Point fought back to tie it and even took a 4-3 lead during the first half. That lead only lasted for seventeen seconds as Erin Brennan scored off another assist from Terracciano to tie it at 4 to end the half.

The Trojans came out strong to begin the second half, scoring three quick goals for a 7-4 lead. With 2:37 left in the game, Rocky Point, trailing 9-7, scored to narrow the gap to just one goal. RP might have had a chance to tie the game but with less than a minute left, they lost possession when one of their players had a false start on an inbounds play and Garden City got the ball back. As the seconds ticked away, Rocky Point had possession but lost the ball behind the cage and time expired giving Garden City the 9-8 victory and the Long Island Championship. The Trojans total scoring included two goals each by Erin Brennan, Becky Lynch and Elise Terracciano. Dayna Defliese, Caroline McTiernan and Brittany Wilton scored one goal a piece. Emma Quailer made six saves.

Garden City's girls varsity lacrosse team celebrates the Long Island Championship. Photo by Newsphoto.com From there it was on to SUNY Cortland where the Trojans faced Brighton in the Class B state semi-final game. Garden City won by a score of 6-2 behind the scoring of Erin Brennan 2, Brittany Wilton 2, Becky Lynch 1, and Elise Terracciano 1. Emma Quailer recorded another win, making 5 saves.

Caitlin Mullins drives around RP's Kara Mupo. Photo by Newsphoto.com If there was any pressure on the team to defend their state title it certainly didn't show as GC scored the championship game's first five goals against Carthage on June 9th at SUNY Cortland. Becky Lynch was selected as the MVP with three goals and five assists to lead the Trojans to a 16-8 victory and their second consecutive NY State Class B Championship. Since head coach Diane Chapman took over coaching in 2002, the Trojans have made it to the final game four out of six times and they have won three of those games.

Goalkeeper Emma Qualier outdid herself making 14 saves against Carthage. Alli Kleshefsky made one save. Elise Terracciano led the Trojans' scoring with five goals. Erin Brennan had four, Becky Lynch scored three and had five assists. Brittany Wilton, Caroline McTiernan, Lauren Terracciano and Emily, Norell each scored once.

As anyone who has ever been a part of a team can tell you, there are many players who contribute but don't always get the recognition that they deserve. There are the defensive players who work together to prevent so many goals and cause so many turnovers, the players who have the ability to come off the bench and mesh with their teammates on the field, and the moral support provided by everyone, for everyone. This year's varsity roster consists of Emily Menges, Deirdre Regan (captain), Maddie Hannon, Amanda Keller, Caroline Seery (captain), Kaila McDonnell, Dayna Defliese, Elise Terracciano (captain), Shannon Defliese, Katie D'Antonio, Brittany Wilton, Catherine Furman, Becky Lynch, Erin Brennan, Emily Norell, Lauren Terracciano, Shannon Mangini, Caitlin Mullins, Mariah Pewarski, Caroline McTiernan, Megan Walters, Alex Hannon, Caroline Confort, Liz Adamo, Emma Quailer (captain) and Alli Kleshefsky.

Elise Terracciano pumps her fist after scoring against RockyPoint. Photo by Newsphoto.com

Brittany Wilton escapes underneath the stick of RP's Jackie Lyons. Photo by Newsphoto.comDayna Defliese and Brittany Wilton are all smiles after the LI championship win. Photo by Newsphoto.comCatherine Furman defends against Rocky Point's Jackie Lyons. Photo by Newsphoto.comCaroline Seery (back to camera) and Emma Quailer give each other a hug after Garden City won the LI title. Photo by Newsphoto.comShannon Defliese congratulates Caroline Seery (#5) after the Trojans won the LI Championship. Photo by Newsphoto.comCaroline McTiernan scores against Rocky Point. Photo by Newsphoto.comTeam Captains L-R Caroline Seery, Elise Terracciano, Deirdre Regan and Emma Quailer celebrate after receiving the LI Championship plaque. Photo by Newsphoto.comDeirdre Regan stays one step ahead of RP's Brieanna Spatarella. Photo by Newsphoto.comBecky Lynch (left) and Erin Brennan (right) are interviewed for TV after the championship victory. Photo by Newsphoto.comCaroline Seery looks to pass against Rocky Point's Allison Staudt. Photo by Newsphoto.comGoalie Emma Quailer is introduced before the start of the Rocky Point game. Photo by Newsphoto.com