Lady Tigers Whip Whitman
Field Hockey Team blanks Lady Cats 5-0, Bica gets first of the year
by Steven Zaitz
It is easy to forget that Sophia Bica is all of 16 years old.
Yes, the records, titles and honors that she has amassed in her athletic, as well her academic career are astounding. But those feats of strength, which include the most recent Long Island Player of the Year, a Long Island Field Hockey Title, a Suffolk County Basketball title before the pandemic and member of the National Honor Society, don’t tell the whole story.
“Sophia is a consummate leader and plays with so much poise,” said Head Field Hockey Coach Gina Walling after the Lady Tigers latest dismantling of another hapless opponent. This time it was 5-0 shellacking of Walt Whitman, as Northport is now 2-0 and have won 13 straight dating back March. “She, along with all of our midfielders dominated this game.”
Bica, Hailey Roethel, Olivia McKenna, and Angelina Longo sheriffed the middle of field against Whitman and frustrated the Lady Wildcats to the point of frustration. Bica had a goal and McKenna, who now leads the team with 4 points on the young season, had goal and an assist.
“Our mentality right now is that just because we’ve had success in the past, nothing is guaranteed,” said the senior midfielder and basketball point guard. “Our coaches are always telling us to stay humble and focused.”
Attacking forward Shannon Smith finally had a goal that made its way into the record books, as she had two thst were disallowed against Rocky Point in the opener.
“I’m so happy that one finally counted,” said Smith, who was a two-time Long Island Champion with her field hockey and lacrosse titles.
Another double champion, attacker Emma McLam netted a pair for the Lady Tigers as they peppered Whitman goaltender Jillian Vesque with 14 shots. The Lady Tigers have now beaten their opponents 9-0 combined. At the other end, Natalie ‘Stonewall’ McKenna recorded her 16th shutout in her last 19 games, stopping the 2 balls that came her way.
“Natalie is the most trustworthy goalie I’ve played with,” said Bica. She’s always so focused and intense no matter where the ball is she’s always ready. She’s technically sound and acrobatic and when she makes one of those crazy saves, it fires up the whole team.”
The Lady Tigers, ever superstitious, are hesitant to jinx McKenna’s incredible streak, but it’s the Tiger Tribune’s duty to report that she last gave up a regular season goal nine games ago to Sydney Anderson of Smithtown East on a fluky deflection in front. That was also Northport’s last loss – a 2-1, in a double overtime shootout on March 22.
“Between the defenders and me, it’s important to communicate and stay involved in a game like this,” said McKenna, who was relatively lightly tested against WW. “Everyone knows their role in keeping the ball out.”
During the game, the players’ roles were somewhat altered. The Lady Tigers executed a tactical adjustment at halftime and switched from a ‘3-3-3-1’ to a ‘3-2-3-2’, which helped which was implemented by Walling to help with spacing. It immediately paid dividends.
“It’s not something we do every game, but I felt that the middle was getting clogged,” said Walling. “, The girls are are so good at making adjustments but did kind of look at me like I was crazy when I suggested it, but I think it worked out well.”
Crazy like a fox. McLam took a beautiful crossing pass from Smith just a 1:05 into the second half to give the Lady Tigers a 3-0 lead and effectively sealed the game.
Northport plays next at Connetquot, Sept 10 @ 4:30 for their first road game of the year.
