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Sports

Seaford Girls Soccer Falls to Clarke in Playoff Shocker

Third-seeded Vikings defeated by 14-seed Rams 3-1 Friday night.

The old saying is the third time is a charm and Friday night under the bright lights at Seaford High School this was the case for the Clarke girls soccer team. For the third-seeded and regular season Nassau County Conference B champions Seaford, a 3-1 upset loss at home was a bitter reminder that when it comes to single elimination playoffs, the rankings can be thrown out the window.

With Seaford seeded to play a young and talented Clarke team that it had managed to hold back twice this season, including in the regular season finale this past Tuesday, the Lady Vikings struggled early and then could not overcome the Rams this time around. After 80 minutes of being outrun, out tackled, out hustled and just plain outplayed, the stunned Seaford squad was obliged to sit and watch as the underdog Lady Rams celebrate under the bright lights of Seaford High School.

"We scored a goal to make it 2-1, and we tried different things," said Seaford head coach Suzanne Mooney. "We had some opportunities, but they were just faster than us tonight."

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Clarke jumped out early, converting on a penalty kick from Michelle Colvin that sailed into the Seaford net at 27:22 and continuing a fiercely aggressive game that suppressed a Lady Viking offense known for its of lightning attack.

This time around, lightning didn't strike often enough for Seaford. Held scoreless into the second half, sweeper Nicole Wahlig headed a corner kick off the foot of Dina Simonian six minutes into it, and the game had the makings of a blowout.

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Ten minutes later, Seaford clawed its way back into it. With 23:39 remaining, Nicole Nulty powered a corner kick to Steph Mayer, who slammed it into the net and a 2-1 score.

The rest of the way was desperation time for Seaford, and a matter of keeping up the pressure for the Lady Rams. A diving save by Sera Kolat kept Seaford in it at the 22nd minute mark. At the 14 minute mark, a Nulty fast break goal attempt got past Clarke's Christina Pappas, but not by Wahlig, who was waiting in the goal mouth and kicked the shot harmlessly away. Another Nulty shot, off a feed from Meyer, was brushed aside by Pappas with 8:30 remaining.

For Seaford, the furious comeback attempt was for naught. Clarke put the nail in the coffin at 3:28, when a free kick by Colvin from 10 yards out rattled the cross bar -- and on the rebound, found the head of Sam Goodwin in front of the net. Goodwin put head to ball and gave her team the clincher.

Afterwards, as the field cleared of Clarke players and fans, Seaford coach Mooney was reflective on the season, which ended at 9-4. "They outplayed us, and they deserved to win," she said. "It stinks to lose. But we had a great season - conference champs. And a lot of girls coming back."

"We were ready to go, pumped up and excited," said Clarke coach Becky Wachsberger. "Seaford's a good team and it's exciting to finally beat them. I'm proud of my girls."

"We came to play," said Clarke captain Michelle Colvin. "We had more heart this time, and we were calmer. My goal now is to go all the way."

 

 

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