Girls soccer: Spackenkill wins 4th straight title

HYDE PARK – Certain things set teams like Spackenkill High School's girls soccer Spartans, which extended their dynasty Saturday with a 2-0 win in the Section 9 Class B title game over Marlboro, apart from other teams.

The Spartans, who won their fourth straight crown, have an organized, unselfish offense. Midfielders control tempo with poise and patience. Defense doesn't budge and goalkeeper Savannah Barefoot is strong.

These are all good reasons why Spackenkill has stood at the Section 9 mountaintop for four years.

"Just taking from today's game, they're a team that's been there, done that," Marlboro coach Keith Walker said of the Spartans. "They're just more composed. That's what it was. Their composure in the game today was just second to none. We never settled in to be able to move the ball at all."

Spackenkill will face Section 4 champion Seton Catholic Central in a regional semifinal at 4 p.m. Tuesday at Middletown's Faller Field.

With the wind at her back, Katie Lillis gave the Spartans a 1-0 lead in the 29th minute with a shot from 30 yards out that beat Michelle Nowak. Spackenkill also played a smart possession game, keeping the ball on the ground with the wind at its back.

"With the wind blowing against us, we have to possess the ball, keep it on the ground, pass to feet," Lillis said. "With the wind going our direction, we could have just sent it, ran it down and scored."

Briann Baron and Hannah Sullivan had a few scoring chances for Marlboro, but were stifled by Barefoot and Spackenkill's defense, which was anchored by Brooke Scianna.

The Spartans doubled the lead on a Julia Kollesar penalty kick 4:30 into the second half after Nowak and a Spackenkill forward collided. Kollesar has not missed a penalty kick in her career, Spackenkill coach Mike Corbett said.

"Any PK we have, she's my go-to," Corbett said. "She's a senior. She's a leader. She's been playing fantastic for me."

Kollesar has enjoyed being the team's only senior.

"It's kind of nice because everyone looks up to you and I have a really close connection with Corbett," Kollesar said. "It's great to be building the connections with all the girls. They really support me."

The fourth title is nice, but Spackenkill wants more. This year's edition accomplishing the feat is impressive when one considers the Spartans are made up of young veterans.

"A lot of girls play together outside the school. Half of the girls play together on a travel team," Kollesar said. "The connection is there. It doesn't really hurt that we're young."

Spackenkill has lost in regionals for the last three seasons,

"We're looking to take it a little bit further," Corbett said. "We have the experience and we played great last year. This year, we're looking to take it a little further if we can.

"One game at a time."

Phil Strum: pstrum@poughkeepsiejournal.com, 845-437-4847, Twitter: @PJStrum