Lady Cougars Fall to Pat-Med in Soccer

The Commack Cougars girls varsity soccer team were handed their first loss in League I play Wednesday night. The Cougars (4-2-2) were shutout by the Patchogue-Medford Raiders, 1-0, at Pat-Med High School. The Raiders (5-4) were able to match Commack's speed and quickness, limiting their chances throughout the majority of the game. When the Cougars did have the opportunity to put the Raiders at a deficit, they were unable to convert.

The Hero: Pat-Med sophomore midfielder Erica Flowers, scored the game-winning goal with 5:36 to play in regulation, sealing the victory for the Raiders. 

Flowers broke down on the center of the field and perfectly placed a shot from about 25-yards out, just out of Cougars' goalkeeper Jackie Birnbaum's reach.

The Turning Point: Before Flowers all but stamped the victory for the Raiders, the Cougars had a remarkable chance to put themselves ahead by one late in the second half. With 8:52 to go in regulation, senior forward Brittany Costa, slipped passed the Raiders defense and beat goalkeeper Kelly Semon leaving her with an open net but hit the far-left post.

About two minutes later, Flowers scored her goal, cementing the victory for the Raiders.

The Quote: "It's a game of chances, it's a game of a shot," said Cougars head coach Tracie Morenberg. "We had our chances in the second half and didn't capitalize on them, they had their chance and did. It's disappointing."

Besides the post hit by Costa, the Cougars had a series of three-consecutive corner kicks that they were unable to capitalize on midway through the second half.

The Bottom Line: The Raiders handed the Cougars their first League I loss in a thrilling, back-and-forth match.  With that loss, the Cougars are now 4-1-1 in League I play. 

Key Stat: The Cougars' high-powered offense was held off the score sheet. The Cougars had averaged 3.4 goals a game heading into Wednesday's matchup.

Who's Next: Commack at Brentwood, Friday, Oct. 8, 4:15 p.m.