High School Soccer

LONG ISLAND TOP 10

1. South Side
2. St. Anthony's
3. Sachem East
4. Massapequa
5. Islip
6. Northport
7. East Meadow
8. Sayville
9. Bayport-Blue Point
10. Ward Melville

Nassau Top 10

1. South Side
2. Massapequa
3. East Meadow
4. Garden City
5. Island Trees
6. Farmingdale
7. New Hyde Park
8. Mepham
9. Cold Spring Harbor
10. Wheatley

Suffolk Top 10

1. St. Anthony's
2. Sachem East
3. Islip
4. Northport
5. Sayville
6. Bayport-Blue Point
7. Ward Melville
8. North Babylon
9. East Islip
10. Smithtown West

BY JEFF GOLD AND JOSEPH STASZEWSKI

Long Island Top 10

1. Half Hollow Hills West
2. Massapequa
3. Chaminade
4. Brentwood
5. West Islip
6. Port Washington
7. Sayville
8. St. John the Baptist
9. Great Neck North
10. Mattituck

Nassau Top 10

1. Massapequa
2. Chaminade
3. Port Washington
4. Great Neck North
5. Syosset
6. Jericho
7. Cold Spring Harbor
8. Hicksville
9. Mineola
10. Valley Stream Central

Suffolk Top 10

1. Half Hollow Hills West
2. Brentwood
3. West Islip
4. Sayville
5. St. John the Baptist
6. Mattituck
7. Smithtown West
8. Centereach
9. Ward Melville
10. Bay Shore

The Exceptional Senior Games will be held on Saturday Nov. 24 at John Glenn HS. starting at 8:30 a.m.

NASSAU WHITE ONE

PLAYERS

Carlos Barros, Mineola
Alex Del Balso, Cold Spring Harbor
Steven Jandly, Carle Place
Ralph Sorbora, Valley Sream South
Anthony Maldonado, Malvern/East Rockaway
Gary Tarantino,Wantagh
Frank Hand, Lynbrook
Phil Samoyoa, Floral Park
Jason Tursi, Plainedge
Anthony D'Antonio, Oceanside
Billy Miller, Wantagh
Anthony Romano, Bethpage
Helder Cancelinha, Mineola
Joe Gambino, Carle Place
Jourdan Perez, Lynbrook
Taurean Durham, Uniondale
Anthony Morais, Mineola
Leo Goncalves, Bethpage
Frank Oliva, Long Beach

Coaches: Allen Foraker, Carle Place HS
Josh Berlin, Lynbrook HS
John Strassenreiter, Carle Place HS

NASSAU WHITE TWO

PLAYERS

Willie Hank, Lynbrook
Anthony Mongeluzzo, West Hempstead
Mario Noriega, Locust Valley
Marlon, Letlow, Roosevelt
Marvin Perez, Lawrence
Michael Richard, Westbury
German Parodis, Glen Cove
Tom Willoughby, Island Trees
James Rigos, Herricks
Mike Curatolo, Clarke
Brenden Wells, MacArthur
Max Grant, Great Neck South
Adam Fein, Syosset
Kevin Becker, Lynbrook
Damie Henry, Roosevelt
Gary D'Annunzio, Valley Stream Central
Christian Filizzula, Mineola
Mike Riccardi, New Hyde Park
Ryan Cole, Cold Spring Harbor

Coaches: Paul Pereira, Mineola HS
Chris Valentini, Westbury HS

NASSAU BLUE

PLAYERS

Jared El Gayeh, Baldwin
Steven Jacob, Carey
Matt D'Albenzio, Island Trees
Jose Christian Campos, Uniondale
Tim Munzing, Oceanside
Zach Ricchiuti, Herricks
Zach Scheiner, Oceanside
Ajani Jones, Elmont
Nick Martelli, Carey
Christian Lavery, Clarke
Makis Konstantatos, Herricks
Aneun Lopez, MacArthur
Andrew Rios, Great Neck North
Alex Voskerijian,Herricks
Liroy Ozinci, Plainview-JFK
Dakota Kaiser, Long Beach
Alex Rojas, Long Beach
Ryan Porteny, Southside
Ray Fitzpatrick, Garden City

Coaches: Dennis Horton, Herrick HS
Matt Princi, Carey HS

BY MARCUS HENRY

Boston College-bound senior Alaina Beyar scored three times as South Side topped Mendon (Section V) 4-2 in the state Class A final.

BY JOSEPH STASZEWSKI

It appeared the Smithtown Christian was going to lose a tough 1-0 match to Section VII power Chazy in the Class D boy soccer state semifinals . Then the Knights got a late second half goal from Tom Hanft and pushed Chazy to triple overtime. Stetson Fields scored his second goal of the game 39 seconds into the thrid overtime to give Chazy a 2-1 win.

BY JOSEPH STASZEWSKI

The Sayville boys soccer team's unbeaten season and hopes of a state title came to an end. The Golden Flashes lost to Section I's Byram Hills 2-1 in a Class A State semifinal at the Soccer Hall of Fame. Sayville's Chris Hendrickson scored the game's first goal early, but Byram tied it quickly and contoled play outside of the earlier minutes of the second half. The winner was scored midway through the first half.

BY JEFF GOLD

Absolutely brutal day for Long Island boys soccer teams as all four fell in semifinals up here in Oneonta at the National Soccer Hall of Fame.

Half Hollow Hills West lost 2-1 to Vestal in Class AA. Hills West led 1-0 before Vestal tied the score with 2:59 left. Vestal then scored the winner just 1:21 into overtime to give a sudden and shocking end to Hills West’s season.

Mattituck lost 3-2 to Spackenkill in Class B. After Mattituck took a 1-0 lead into halftime, Spackenkill scored three goals in a 12-minute stretch to begin the second half and take over the game. Mattituck scored with 8:40 left by couldn’t get the equalizer.

Full game stories on these two games, as well as Sayville’s and Smithtown Christian’s losses will be in Sunday’s Newsday.

BY JEFF GOLD

Absolutely brutal day for Long Island boys soccer teams as all four fell in semifinals up here in Oneonta at the National Soccer Hall of Fame.

Half Hollow Hills West lost 2-1 to Vestal in Class AA. Hills West led 1-0 before Vestal tied the score with 2:59 left. Vestal then scored the winner just 1:21 into overtime to give a sudden and shocking end to Hills West’s season.

Mattituck lost 3-2 to Spackenkill in Class B. After Mattituck took a 1-0 lead into halftime, Spackenkill scored three goals in a 12-minute stretch to begin the second half and take over the game. Mattituck scored with 8:40 left by couldn’t get the equalizer.

Full game stories on these two games, as well as Sayville’s and Smithtown Christian’s losses will be in Sunday’s Newsday.

BY MARCUS HENRY

I haven't talked to any officials regarding the viability of the state girl's soccer championships coming down state on a rotating basis, but I can think of two reasons why they love Cortland.

First: It is in a central location. Cortland is a four to five-hour drive from Long Island and about four to five hours from the furthest points north and west in the state. You can't get more central than that. This is assuming you are not leaving in the middle of evening or morning rush.

Having it in Long Island would make for a ridiculously long commute for schools in sections 5, 6, 7, 10 and schools in the northern part of section 3 and the western end of section 4. We're talking 7 to 8 hours of driving in most cases.

Two years ago I covered the Track and Field Federation championships at St. Lawrence University in Canton, NY in section 10. It took me nearly 8 hours to get there.

Second: SUNY Cortland has great facilities, including a unique set up with its soccer and football fields right next to each other with a press box in between. The press box is double sided. So writers covering the games can actually view and keep track of two games at the same time. There is a hotel (the Counrty Inn) right across the street from the school and several others (Ramada Inn, Hampton Inn, Econo Lodge etc...) one exit away on Interstate 81. That's a 10-minute drive.

The other two sites where games are played - Homer High School and Tomkins CC - are a five and 10-minute drive from SUNY Cortland.

Cortland is the ideal place for state championships. The girl's state soccer championships will be there again next season.

Hills West boys soccer player Nolan Gelman is the N-Zone Athlete of the Week. Check the video below.

BY MARCUS HENRY

It wasn't the best day for Long Island girls soccer as Smithtown Christian became the third team to fall at the state championships today. Smithtown Christian jumped on top of Lyme with a goal in the first 10 minutes. But that was it as Lyme used its experienced lineup to overcome Smithtown Christian's youth. The Knights have one senior, while Lyme boasts 11.

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BY MARCUS HENRY

South Side will be in the Class A final once again as it topped Burnt Hills for the third straight season, 2-0, today.

Bayport-Blue Point is still in a scoreless match with Marcellus with 9:15 left in the first.

BY MARCUS HENRY

Today ended a fine run for Bayport-Blue Point as it fell to Marcellus (section III) in a penalty-kick shootout, 3-0. The Phantoms can look back on this season with great joy as they won a county and Long Island title for the first time in school history.

BY MARCUS HENRY

The Flaming Arrows just didn't get any breaks as they fell, 1-0, to Cicero-North Syracuse. It was the second straight year Sachem East fell in the state semifinal. The rest of the Island better be ready. Sachem East only has five seniors. And only two of them (Laura Greene and Samantha Lynott) were starters. With so much returning, Sachem East will probably enter the 2008 season as an early favorite.

BY MARCUS HENRY

The South Side game is underway and it is already 1-0 Cyclones. The game started about 10 minutes ago...

BY MARCUS HENRY

The start to the South Side game was delayed because there was three inches of snow on the ground. It's scheduled to start at 11.

BY MARCUS HENRY

Cicero-North Syracuse defender McKaye Neumeister scored on a penalty kick with 3:10 left in the first to give her team a 1-0 lead. The first half belonged to CNS as it managed two corner kicks, two free kicks and a penalty kick.

Sachem East needs to mount an offensive quickly in the second half.

BY MARCUS HENRY

Cold doesn't begin to describe what the weather is like in Cortland, NY today. The wind is whipping and the field was covered with an inch of snow. The temperature at the start of the Sachem East-Cicero-North Syracuse Class AA semfinal was 31 degrees. But the windchill factor made it feel like it was 15. I wouldn't want to be a soccer official today. They were wearing shorts.

The only group enjoying this weather were the horses who were grazing at the horse farm next door to Cortland's soccer field.

But I can't complain. I'm sitting up here in a press box with a great wireless connection and a great view of the field. FYI, we will be served donuts, bagels and coffee for lunch in the press box. What a life.

The South Side-Burnt Hills Class A game, which is being played at Cortland Community College in Tompkins, NY, was delayed because there was three inches of snow on the ground.

BY JOSEPH STASZEWSKI

Here is a quick look at the teams Half Hollow Hills West, Sayville, Mattituck and Smithtown Christian will face in its boys soccer state semifinal games this weekend in Oneonta.

Class AA

Vestal (Section IV)
Opponent: Half Hollow Hills West at 1:30 p.m.
Coach: Jim Murphy
Record: 18-2-1
On Vestal: It used a Matt Kristic goal with 3:00 left in the game to beat Section I’s Horace Greeley 3-2 to earn a trip to the state final four. Kristic is a 30-goal scorer this season. Brian Rose, another of the team’s offensive weapons, scored twice. Vestal has won three straight Section IV titles.

Class A

Byram Hills (Section I)
Opponent: Sayville at 9 a.m.
Coach: Matt Allen
Record: 21-1-1
On Byram Hills: Senior Will Ogden had a hat trick in a 4-0 win over Cornwall in state regional final. Byram Hills’ is on a 17-game winning streak. It lost a game shy of the state final four last season. The Bobcats’ have scored 77 goals this year while giving up just 13. It had to beat Lakeland 2-1 in overtime on a Pat Vierengel goal to get to the regional final

Class B

Spackenkill (Section IX)
Opponent: Mattituck at 10:30 a.m.
Coach: Manny Blanco
Record: 18-1
On Spackenkill: Spackenkill beat Burke Catholic, 1-0, for the Section IX title and Anthony Balbo had a goal and an assist to Josh Maley in a 2-0 win over Red Hook in the semifinal.

Class D

Chazy (Section VII)
Opponent: Smithtown Christian 1:00 p.m.
Coach: Rob McAuliffe
Record: 22-1
On Chazy: Chazy is the top-ranked Class D team in the state and has won eight Section VII titles in the last 10 years. It reached the state final four eight of the last 11 years. Chazy beat Section II’s Sharon Springs, 2-0, in the regional final. Kyle Reynolds and Stetson Fields scored on throw ins by Nolan Ryan

Jeff Gold, Joseph Staszewski and Adam Ronis preview the boys and girls state soccer championships today.

Ronis has the girls preview. Click here to read it.

Gold and Staszewski combined to preview the boys teams. Click here to read it.

** - final four
* section champ

Class AA
1: 19-0-0 LI St. Anthony’s-CHS
2: 17-1-3 Sachem East-11 **
3: 20-2-1 Horace Greeley-1 **
4: 15-2-1 Greece Arcadia-5 **
5: 14-1-2 Cicero-N. Syracuse-3 **
6: 15-4-1 Shenendehowa-2 *
7: 16-3-1 Massapequa-8 *
8: 13-5-1 Monroe-Woodbury-9 *
9: 17-4-2 Kenmore West-6 *
10: 14-7-1 Niskayuna-2
11: 19-0-1 Bethlehem-2
12: 17-1-1 Aquinas-5
13: 17-2-1 John Jay EF-1
14: 11-3-2 Northport-11
15: 12-4-3 Corning West-4 *
16: 14-1-1 Union-Endicott-4
17: 15-4-0 North Tonawanda-6
18: 14-4-1 Shaker-2
19: 8-8-3 Spencerport-5
20: 10-5-3 Eastmeadow-8

Class A
1: 19-0-0 Rockville Ctr. Southside-8**
2: 14-3-3 Pittsford Mendon-5 **
3: 17-3-0 Maine-Endwell-4**
4: 9-10-4 Burnt Hills-2**
5: 11-7-1 Islip-11*
6: 17-3-2 Lourdes-1*
7: 16-5-1 Cortland-3*
8: 18-5-0 East Aurora-6*
9: 17-2-1 Massena-10*
10: 19-1-2 Williamsville East-6
11: 18-1-2 Victor-5
12: 9-4-2 Sayville-11
13: 15-6-0 Cornwall-9*
14: 11-5-3 Garden City-8
15: 14-6-1 Scotia-2
16: 13-4-2 Pelham-1
17: 13-6-2 Whitesboro-3
18: 11-4-4 Holy Names-2
19: 14-4-2 Grand Island-6
20: 13-6-0 Homer-3

Class B
1: 23-0-0 Marcellus-3**
2: 14-1-2 Bayport-Blue Point-11**
3: 21-0-0 Briarcliffe-1**
4: 16-7-0 Livonia-5**
5: 18-1-0 Lansing-4*
6: 17-2-0 Goshen Burke Catholic-9*
7: 12-1-4 Falconer-6*
8: 13-3-3 Tamarac-2*
9: 7-8-3 Cold Spring Harbor-8*
10: 11-9-0 Greece Odyssey-5*
11: 14-6-3 Plattsburgh-7*
12: 15-3-0 Cazenovia-3
13: 15-1-1 Red Hook-9
14: 18-2-0 Watertown IHC-3
15: 14-2-1 Potsdam-10*
16: 12-8-1 Ravena-2
17: 15-2-1 Chenango Forks-4
18: 18-2-0 Nanuet-1
19: 16-2-0 Mattituck-11
20: 13-5-0 Center Moriches-11

Class C
1: 21-0-2 Hoosick Falls-2**
2: 21-1-0 Manlius Pebble Hill-3**
3: 19-1-2 Florida-9**
4: 19-5-0 Caledonia-Mumford-5**
5: 17-2-2 Buffalo Nichols-CHS
6: 18-0-2 Mechanicville-2
7: 14-5-1 Candor-4*
8: 17-5-0 York-5*
9: 13-6-2 Northern Adirondack-7*
10: 7-7-4 Stony Brook-11*
11: 13-5-3 Madrid-Waddington-10
*12: 12-4-1 Solomon Schecter-1*
13: 18-3-1 Schoharie-2*
14: 11-2-3 St. Lawrence-10
15: 12-4-6 Waterville-3
16: 13-4-0 Plattsburgh Seton-7
17: 18-3-0 Maple Hill-2
18: 14-4-2 Maple Grove-6*
19: 12-6-1 Stillwater-2
20: 16-2-2 Utica Notre Dame-3

Class D:
1: 21-1-0 Lyme-3**
2: 19-2-1 Arkport-5**
3: 21-1-0 Chazy-7**
4: 8-8-1 Smithtown Christian-11
5: 19-3-1 Edmeston-4
*6: 17-3-1 Whitesville-5*
7: 18-1-1 Jasper-Troupsburg-5
8: 19-2-1 McGraw-3
9: 16-1-4 Harrisville-10*
10: 14-5-1 New Lebanon-2*
11: 17-3-1 Hamilton-3
12: 15-4-1 Ellicottville-6*
13: 11-9-0 Livingston Manor-9*
14: 17-2-2 Edwards-Knox-10
15: 16-5-2 Davenport-4
16: 17-2-0 Old Forge-3
17: 13-4-0 Chateaugay-10
18: 18-1-1 Downsville-4
19: 17-3-0 Milford-4
20: 17-4-0 Elizabethtown-Lewis-7
20: 8-10-1 Northville-2

BY JOSEPH STASZEWSKI

CHSAA Boys Soccer State semifinal just got underway between Chaminade and Fordham Prep. The winner will play St. Francis Prep, which won the early game, in the final on Sunday. I will try to update you on the scoring.

UPDATE -- No scored after the first half. Chaminade had threatened with three corner kicks and a direct kick, but the Fordham Prep goalie has down a great job thwarting those efforts.

UPDATE 2 -- The game is headed to overtime tied a 0.

UPDATE 3 -- Chaminade wins 1-0 on a Patrick McCann goal.

BY JEFF GOLD

The players gather in the middle of the field. Some refuse to watch. Some offer suggestions to upcoming the shooters about which way the goalie might be vulnerable. Everyone does his own thing. One thing is clear: this is not soccer.

Is a shootout really the best way to determine a soccer game? Hockey uses the shootout at the professional level, but not in the postseason. But in soccer, it’s done at the most critical moments. No other sport offers similar gimmicks.

I’ve never really heard anyone argue that the shootout is a good way to sort things out. Rather, the most passionate arguments in favor of the shootout go something like this, “Everyone is exhausted. What else are you going to do?”

Well, here’s what I’d suggest. Play more than 30 minutes of overtime. Perhaps extend it to 40 minutes with two 20 minute halves. And if that doesn’t work, start pulling players off the field. Play 10 on 10 for five minutes, then 9 on 9 for five. Keep doing this until you’re down to 7 vs. 7. The game would end soon enough with a more legitimate conclusion than a skills competition.

The Long Island girls soccer championships are here. Who do you think will win? Click here to vote.

BY JOSEPH STASZEWSKI

Rachel Nuzzolese.

If you haven’t seen or heard her name already, you will, and for years to come. Nuzzolese is just a sophomore on the undefeated St. Anthony’s girl’s soccer team that will play in the CHSAA state semifinals on Saturday.

She doesn’t play like a sophomore though.

“We expect big things from her in the future and I think she will deliver.” St. Anthony’s coach Dave Prutting said.

Nuzzolese plays with the poise, athleticism and aggressiveness of a veteran. Don’t give her room to get moving because she is hard to stop once she controls the ball. Sacred Heart defenders were able to slow her down at times by being physical with her before she could possess the ball last Saturday at the Nassau - Suffolk CHSAA championship. Nuzzolese was still able to score the tying goal for St. Anthony’s (17-0) on a deflection in the box. Nuzzolese scored in all but three games this season and has scored three goals five times.

“She’s an incredible finisher,” St. Anthony’s senior Katie Nagy said. “I don’t think she’s had a game where she hasn’t scored. It’s helped us so much this season. She’s good.”

BY ADAM RONIS

South Side, Massapequa and Cold Spring Harbor all won county titles today in girls soccer. South Side is very impressive. The numbers are mind boggling. South Side has won 11 straight county titles, 25 consecutive postseason games and has 11 straight shutouts in the postseason. The Cyclones are 18-0 and have won three straight Class A state titles. Number four looks very likely.

Garden City did a good job limiting the opportunities of standouts Alaina Beyar and Crystal Dunn, yet still trailed 2-0. Dunn and Beyar would score late in the second half in a 4-0 win. This team is extremely tough to beat. Every player on the field is dangerous. When it appears you might have a chance to score, defender Katie Starsia finds a way to thwart it.

Massapequa did a great job not folding against East Meadow in the AA game. East Meadow dominated the second half and finally tied the score at 1 with 1:05 left. Massapequa scored three unanswered goals in the first overtime in a 4-2 win for its fifth straight title and 12th in 15 seasons. It's amazing how Massapequa just turned it on after being on its heels almost the entire second half.

East Meadow played a great game and coach Matt Pedicini certainly had his team ready to play in the second half. East Meadow gave Massapequa a tough battle and Massapequa was very complemetary towards East Meadow. Watch out for this team next season.

Cold Spring Harbor beat Wheatley, 1-0, to regain the Class B title after being the runner-up to Wheatley the last two years. Cold Spring Harbor has won a county title every season since 1985 except the past two and 2002. Wheatley played in a conference with South Side, Garden City and Island Trees, so this is a huge win for Cold Spring Harbor.

BY ADAM RONIS

When the 2007 Suffolk Class AA boys soccer champion is crowned, Smithtown West won't have its name listed as the winner. Although Smithtown West lost to Half Hollow Hills West in the semifinals, 1-0, this afternoon, the Bulls should be proud.

The team went through a very difficult week. Smithtown West seniors, 17-year-olds Michael Western and Daniel DiStefano, who were close with many players on the team, were killed in a car accident on Wednesday in Smithtown. The team then went out on Friday and upset No. 1 Brentwood, the top-ranked team in the state and winners of the last two championships, 1-0, in the quarterfinals.

The practices since the tragedy have been light. Some players were missing due to the wakes. Before today's game, the team went to two funerals. They had no time to eat before the game and snacked on apples and oranges.

Smithtown West coach Tom Lips offered no excuses.
"It wasn't the reason why we didn't win," he said.

The game was a defensive battle and no one dominated. Half Hollow Hills West capitalized on an error.

"Scoring a goal first would have uplifted us," Lips said. "We played them dead even."

BY JOSEPH STASZEWSKI

Massapequa vs. Hicksville 5:00 p.m. today at Mitchel Athletic Complex

Last season No. 3 Hicksville won the Conference I AA title but, saw its season halted in the second round on penalty kicks. It has itself in position to make a county final appearance, but will have to get through a loaded No. 2 Massapequa squad. Tyler Arnone is the one to watch for Hicksville. The sophomore has eight goals and six assists for team that has only been shutout twice this season. Two of his goals came in a 3-1 win over Massapequa (9-3-3) on September 20. Ryan Reichmann and Jhon Sanchez each have four goals and four assists each. Where Hicksville (8-7-1) will struggle is in controlling Massapequa’s offense. Hicksville can not try to trade goals with a team that beat them 5-0 in its last meeting on October 10. James Diana and Jim Altadonna had three and two goals respectively. Hicksville only has one shut out this year, a 2-0 win over East Meadow. This does not bode well against an 11-goal scorer in Altadonna and Diana and Daniel Thompson, who each have six. Massapequa has out scored opponent’s 12-3 in its last four games. In the end Massapequa’s depth of talent and veteran poise with be too much for Hicksville.
Pick: Massapequa.

Syosset vs. Port Washington, 7:30 p.m.

The late game should be extremely intriguing. Port Washington struggled last season, its nucleus of seniors and a stingy defense helped it earn the top seed and a 12-0-2 record. Port Washington and goalie Joe Gil has an absurd 11 shutouts this season. One of its two ties was against Syosset, 1-1 on October 23. Port Washington won the first meeting 2-0. Stephan Brossard has been Port Washington’s most consistent offensive weapon with 12 goals and five assists, but the team has gotten a spark from Ryan Goldstein who has scored in a goal in the last three games. Syosset (5-6-3) is not an explosive offensive, but does have a serious offensive weapon to contend with in Jon Blank. The onus here falls on the Syosset defense and goalie Scott Kessler to keep the game close. This game has the potential for overtime or a comfortable Port Washington win if they get ahead early. Anything is possible here, but I can’t see Port Washington’s running ending in the semifinals.
Pick: Port Washington

BY ADAM RONIS

Class AA
Friday at Denton Avenue, 5 p.m.
No. 1 Massapequa vs. No. 5 Oceanside
This is a rematch of last season's final which Massapequa dominated. Massapequa beat Oceanside twice this season by scores of 4-0 and 5-2. Oceanside has played well late in the season, but Massapequa is too talented. PICK: Massapequa

Friday at Denton Avenue, 7:30 p.m.
No. 2 Farmingdale vs. No. 3 East Meadow
This should be a great game. Farmingdale won the last matchup on Oct. 21, 3-2. East Meadow won the first matchup, 3-1. Kelly McPartland and Alyssa Kildare lead Farmingdale. Gabriella Fuduli is the main threat offensively for East Meadow. Tough game to call. PICK: Farmingdale.

Class A semifinals at Denton Avenue
Saturday 2 p.m.
No. 1 South Side vs. No. 5 New Hyde Park
A rematch of last season's final in which South Side dominated. New Hyde Park has played excellent down the stretch and deserves a lot of credit. But South Side is just too talented with Alaina Beyar, Crystal Dunn, Katie Starsia and Jackie Femminello. The team has won 23 consecutive postseason games and is 16-0 this season. PICK: South Side.

Saturday 4:30 p.m.
No. 2 Island Trees vs. No. 3 Garden City
Island Trees has been suffering from a lot of injuries. The teams played to a scoreless tie in the last meeting and Island Trees won the first time, 3-1. Both teams needed overtime to win in the quarterfinals. PICK: Island Trees

There's plenty of girls soccer to read about today on Newsday.com.

Read Jeff Gold's story about Sayville, which advanced to the Suffolk County Class A championship with a 4-2 win over Shoreham-Wading River on Wednesday. Sayville has dedicated its season to coach John Schroeder, who died earlier this season at the age of 64.

Adam Ronis has two stories. His first story is about Islip's 3-1 win over Comsewogue in the other Class A semifinal.

Ronis also has a story about Northport getting a controversial win over Smithtown East in a Class AA first-round playoff game. The officials at the game allowed an extra round of penalty kicks. Smithtown East should have won the game 5-4 after the first round of penalty kicks, but Northport prevailed 8-7 with the extra kicks.