Babylon aiming for L.I. crown

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Babylon’s girls’ soccer team concluded its regular season with a 6-0 Senior Day win over Copiague to finish with an 8-6-1 overall record while going 6-6 in league play.

The win over Copiague was the Panthers’ most dominant performance of the season. “This was a perfect way to celebrate the eleven senior players who were playing their last home match,” said coach Stuart Love.

All of the seniors started and ended the game on the field together, which was fitting, given how much time they have spent playing together over the years. The group all came through the Babylon Soccer Club and had many years of success as a club team.

The all-senior starting lineup featured Chelsea Gersbeck, Riley Altman, Hazel Bivona, Grace Flynn, Sarah Klienitzke, Olivia Muller (goalkeeper), Talulah Bishop, Ashley Nam, Shayden Kenedy, Grace Varley and Emily Love.

The highlight moment of the match was a first career varsity goal from defender Bishop, much to the delight of her teammates, she drove the ball into the net to seal the win and take the game out of reach. Varley also recorded a hat-trick to take her season total to a team high of 13 goals. “Grace has been so good for us,” said Love. “It’s been nothing but phenomenal to see her take that next step as a leader both on and off the field.”

Next up for the Panthers is the postseason. The younger players on the roster who will look to have a big impact in the playoff games are juniors Delaney Busch, Lexi Casale and Lily Krollage, sophomores Emma Muccioli and Gianna Durler (goalkeeper) and freshman Julia Wider, who is the team’s second-highest scorer with 8 goals on the season.

“Julia has developed into such an excellent player for us,” Love said of Wider. “This has really turned into a big breakout season for her and we couldn’t be more proud.”

As for the rest of the underclassmen, Love understands their importance to this group. “We have gotten great contributions from everyone this season,” he said. “I’m excited to see what our younger players can do this postseason.”

Babylon has already been named Suffolk County Champions and looks forward to the Long Island Class B Championship Game on Sunday, Nov. 10 at Farmingdale State College against the Nassau County winner.

“There are some very good Class B teams in Nassau County this season so whoever we play will be a big challenge,” said Love. “Our team has been tested all season, playing in the Suffolk County Class A Division against some top opponents.

“Our players cannot wait for this opportunity,” he added. ‘They are ready to bring a strong performance when the time comes and I believe that they will.”

The winner of the LIC will advance to the New York State Final Four in Cortland the following weekend.