It was a game that could have gotten ugly early. McKee/Staten Island Tech peppered Bayside with numerous scoring chances in the opening minutes — including one that hit the crossbar and another which caromed off the post. But, mainly due to a handful of spectacular saves by junior goalkeeper Nicole Carroll, the Commodores held the Seagulls without a goal until Jessica Panarella’s brace in the 56th minute.
By then, however, No. 5 Bayside was gassed and top-seed MSIT scored twice more in a 3-0 win in the PSAL Class A girls’ soccer semifinals last Thursday at Tottenville HS. Michelle Tartaglione found the goal with her head in the 59th minute and Panarella scored her second of the day in the 69th minute to lead the defending champion Seagulls to their third elimination of the Commodores in as many seasons.
How long Bayside stayed in the game wasn’t lost on Commodores players.
“[Carroll] did amazing,” senior midfielder Zoe Margulies said. “The game would have been 100-0, but she helped us stay in it.”
For the third straight year, MSIT midfielder Genna Pepe locked down Bayside star striker Despina Psomopoulos, who did not get off a shot on goal.
“It’s tough when there’s always someone on me,” Psomopoulos said. “And it doesn’t help that even when I beat her, there’s another one waiting for me.”
