A Monumental Achievement: Westhampton Beach Girls Lacrosse Beats Mt. Sinai For First Time In Program History

Lily Berchin never reacted so fast.

As her Westhampton Beach girls lacrosse teammate Samantha Schaumloffel was checked and the ball flew out of her stick, Berchin reached out her own and knocked the ball into the cage off a bounce for what would be a colossal goal — the game-winner, in a 6-5 victory over Mount Sinai on Saturday afternoon, marking the first time the Hurricanes took down the Mustangs in program history.

“It felt amazing,” the senior attack Berchin said of the excitement rushing through her after realizing what she’d done, her teammates swarming her as they shared in the jubilation of taking the lead. “They are a great team, and we both put up a good fight, but I knew my team was able to do it. It was 100 percent a team win.”

The score would especially not have been possible if it wasn’t for sophomore defender Chloe Mosher reading Mt. Sinai’s prior play perfectly.

After the Mustangs won the draw following freshman Reese King’s second goal of the game — the first of the second half, which tied the game at 5-all — Mosher kept her eyes on the girl looking to clear the ball up the field, and intercepted the pass.

“I knew because we were tied and needed the ball that it would be better to stay out on my girl rather than to get in waiting for the ball to come down,” Mosher said. “I was in the right place at the right time and turned the ball over, clearing it up to my offense, which ended in Lily’s amazing shot to put us ahead.”

Westhampton Beach (6-1 overall, 5-1 in Division II) passed the ball around several times until Berchin’s goal with 3:11 left to play. Still, there was plenty of time left for the script to be flipped, especially after Mt. Sinai won the ensuing draw.

The Hurricanes did not give up hope.

“I still didn’t have any doubts in our defense for what was about to happen,” Mosher said. “In the end, [freshman goalkeeper] Maya [Farnan] locked it down.”

The Mustangs managed to get a few shots off, but Farnan remained focused, making five total saves in the game. Senior defender Mia Failla scooped up the last of her three ground balls to seal the deal. The Hurricanes once again passed the ball around, trying to keep it in their sticks for as long as possible until the final seconds ticked off the clock.

“When I heard that buzzer go off, all I could feel was happiness,” said Berchin, who also scooped up four ground balls and forced a turnover in the win.

The girls sprinted across the field toward each other knowing what they’d just accomplished.

“I was ecstatic,” said senior midfielder Olivia Rongo, who racked up a goal and two assists. “This was something we have been working toward for years.”

“As a team, we have been practicing for this game and all the different situations we could have been put in for a while, and were confident in what we were doing,” Rongo continued. “Chloe’s turnover was the point where I knew that we were going to do it, because there was no way we were coming out of that attacking zone without a goal. And after that goal, there was no way we were letting this game go, and the defense knew that.”

At that point, Mosher said communication was key.

“When Lily’s shot went in, all of the defenders ran together hugging, telling each other, ‘We got this,’ but we also knew we had to lock it down on defense,” the sophomore said. “We knew against a team like Mt. Sinai, any small mistake any of us made could cost us the game.”

Westhampton Beach shut down the Mustangs and then some, holding Mt. Sinai (6-1, 5-1) scoreless in the second half. King, who set the tone for the second half, said she was proud to have contributed to the program first, but reiterated what her fellow Hurricanes said — a total team effort made it all possible.

“We were really patient on offense, strong on defense and the energy on our sideline was awesome,” King said. “Coach [Mary Bergmann] also prepared us really well, and set up the perfect plays at the best times throughout the game. This gave us a huge realization that we are a top team that can accomplish a lot.”

And with a younger-than-usual team, the confidence boost is another plus. Especially, Rongo said, as the team looks to reach another milestone — beating rival Eastport-South Manor for the first time.

“This proved to us what we already knew — we are a hardworking team that knows when and how to get the job done,” Mosher said. “Having a team with such talented young girls previews just how strong this team will look in the future.”

The Hurricanes face the crosstown rival Sharks on the road April 30. The game is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m.

“We just need to keep this energy going forward,” King said.

“This shows that we are capable of a lot of things,” Berchin said of the big victory. “I feel that in some games, we just have it in the back of our minds that, ‘Oh, this team is really good,’ or, ‘Oh my gosh, that girl is committed to a Division I school.’ Yes, we are a young team, but we have a lot of potential. These girls are just getting started.”