Freeport seeks strong finish

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The Freeport girls’ soccer team is looking to finish a season full of heartbreak on an uplifting note.

A 3-3 draw with Westbury where Freeport surrendered two goals in the final two minutes including the tying tally with 10 seconds left Oct. 10 put playoff hopes on ice with three games remaining. The heart wrenching result came a week after a 3-2 defeat to second place Port Washington on Oct. 3 that had left Freeport with no margin for error down the stretch to reach the postseason.

The Lady Red Devils had entered October in position for a playoff push after a 3-1 home win against Uniondale on Sept. 27 that featured three goals from sophomore forward Ancksu Dixon and an assist by Kiara Chombo. Goalie Tyler Hawkins helped keep Uniondale’s offense in check with 16 saves.

Dixon has led Freeport’s offensive attack with 17 goals and five assists. Junior forward Tatianna Austin has also been a force upfront with seven goals and two assists.

Hawkins has anchored the defensive effort with two shutouts and some big saves to keep Freeport competitive in most games. The reigning All-County goalkeeper recorded 14 saves in a 2-2 tie with Hicksville on Sept. 19 and 16 stops in a 3-1 win against Uniondale on Sept. 27. She also made a name for herself in the 3-2 loss to Port Washington with 14 saves including one on a penalty kick along with a subsequent rebound attempt.

Freeport’s first attempt after getting eliminated from playoff contention to get back on the winning track ended with further heartbreak in a 1-1 tie with Hicksville Tuesday when the Red Devils gave up the tying goal with four minutes left. Dixon had given Freeport a 1-0 halftime lead with her 17th goal of the season. Hawkins made nine 17 saves with backup goalie Gabriela Rios also getting some action and recording nine stops.

The Red Devils get another crack at ending the final week of the season in positive fashion during a senior day ceremony against Hempstead Thursday at 4:30 p.m. The nine honored seniors who helped establish a winning culture in Freeport include Ashley Peralta, Kelcey Woodward, Gabriela Rios, Cheyenna Bardsley, Aaliyah Solano, Yehannys Rosales, Omayris Quintanilla, Melissa Moreno and Hawkins.

“They are leaders,” said second-year coach Chris Doherty, who took over the varsity program last season after previously coaching on JV. “We have given them a challenging experience and tested them.” 

The final game for Freeport’s large senior class is scheduled for next Tuesday at home against unbeaten Oceanside.  Hawkins recorded 24 saves against the first place team in Conference II in a 7-0 loss on Sept. 25 and no matter that the final score is when the whistle blows, Doherty hopes his players leave it all out on the field.

“I want them all to finish with strong positive note,” he said. “We want to have the best possible finish.”