Girls Soccer: Feel-good win for Tuckers in Southampton
It was a feel-good game for the Mattituck High School girls soccer team. Or, maybe more accurately, a feel-good first half.
The Tuckers had a lot to feel good about. In the first 40 minutes, both Alex Beebe and Alya Ayoub scored twice (Ayoub also had an assist). Mackenzie Daly, a sophomore midfielder, nailed her first career varsity goal. Johanna Pedone made her first varsity start in goal and played well.
And, most importantly, the Tuckers walked away from Southampton High School with a comfortable 5-1 win on Tuesday, all of their goals coming in the first half.
The tone of the Suffolk County League VII game was set less than five minutes in when Beebe scored off a driven centering pass from Ashley Chew.
Daly’s long-range shot at 8 minutes 53 seconds made it 2-0 before Beebe knocked in her second goal of the day at 19:47.
Ayoub made it 4-0, making no mistake in converting a long through ball from Jane DiGregorio at 24:55. Daly set up Ayoub’s second goal at 27:21.
Pedone, a junior, made seven saves. Her shutout bid was spoiled by Margarita Trujillo who, after a pass from Sita Kadash, buried a high shot into the net at 54:08.
The Tuckers (6-4-1, 6-4-1) received good play in central midfield from Claire Gatz. Gatz, an eighth grader who completed 32 of her 38 passes, did most of her damage in the first half when she had 30 of her 45 touches. She nearly scored in the 19th minute, striking a left-footed attempt that skimmed off the top of the crossbar.
DiGregorio, who took a game-high seven shots, had a close call late in the first half. She connected on a pass from Beebe, hitting the underside of the crossbar. The goalkeeper, Gabby Berlin, collected the ball as no goal was awarded.
The Tuckers will play Southampton (4-8, 3-8) again on Thursday in Mattituck. Mattituck’s central midfielder, Catherine Hayes, who is recovering from a concussion, is expected to make her return in that game.
Photo: Mattituck coach Malynda Nichol gives her team final instructions before the Tuckers take the field in Southampton. (Credit: Bob Liepa)
