Pierson Field Hockey Team Falls In Class C Finals

After amassing a 9-5 record during the regular season, the defending Suffolk County Class C champion Lady Whalers of couldn’t find an answer to the speedy passing attack of Babylon and backpedaled themselves into a 1-0 deficit with seven minutes remaining in the first half after Bridget McCarthy scored what proved to be the game’s only goal.

"We didn't play well and they [Babylon] did," said a dejected Shannon Judge moments after watching her Pierson field hockey team suffer a crushing 1-0 loss to Babylon in the Suffolk County Class C title game held late Tuesday night at Ward Melville High School in Setauket.

After reaching the New York State championship game the previous season, Pierson (9-6 overall) would have to settle for personal accolades and wish its young team future championships. Despite more than 500 Pierson fans which made the trip to Setauket to support their team, the Lady Whalers were unable to convert any of their scoring chances in the second half as time ran out on another solid season for one of the most successful field hockey programs in New York.

“Coming off such an amazing season last year, I think the girls had a great season,” said Judge. “They [the Whalers] were off tonight. They haven’t played a game in two weeks and it’s really hard practicing for two weeks. It stinks, because we’re not consistently moving forward from the last moment in their last game and working on something. It’s really hard.”

Adding to Pierson’s woes on Tuesday night was starting senior forward Sariah Cafiero suffering a broken thumb early in the game although she was able to play through the pain. Cafiero is one of five key seniors the Lady Whalers will see graduate next spring along with senior goalkeeper Catherine Musnicki, who made five clutch saves to keep Pierson in the game. Musnicki recorded a league-high seven shutouts this season and was a candidate for league MVP. Also graduating this spring will be standout defender Melanie Stafford, forward Christina Napolillo and midfielder Lilah Yardley.

After falling behind 1-0, Pierson came out in the second half intent on tying the score, earning several corner shots including one in the final minutes which was nearly converted by forward Bailey Briggs whose deflection trickled just inches wide of the right goalpost, causing a collective gasp from the much larger crowd of Lady Whalers fans in attendance. Pierson had far more minutes of possession than Babylon although the Panthers were able to control the ball in the final minute to thwart any surge from the Lady Whalers.

“They played better in the second half,” Judge said. “We had five starting sophomores on the field and we were just flat tonight.”

The Lady Whalers return a nucleus of key players next season including Briggs, Emme Luck, Kasey Gilbride, Katherine Matthers, Kirra McGowin and Emma Romeo.