Katie Bohack knew there was a special core of girls soccer players coming through the Carle Place program when she coached this year’s senior class in the eighth grade. And then she was able to see the group accomplish something historic as their varsity coach.
“You could just see the bond they had,” Bohack said. “They were great back then. We dominated the eighth-grade league.”
That core, including seniors Abigail Lyons, Alexandra Feit, Amanda Leary, Lauren Gillespie, Emily Ribarich and Jenna Lenihan, made the first appearance in a state final in program history for Carle Place this year. But the Frogs fell, 1-0, to Ausable Valley in the state Class C final at SUNY Cortland Sunday morning. Carle Place finishes 9-5-2 and Ausable Valley finishes 16-4-1.
Kamyrn Bezio scored the winning goal off an assist from Kate Knapp with 1:30 remaining in the second half for Ausable Valley.
“The fact that they made it this far is something they should be proud of,” Bohack said. “They’re sad right now, but I think they’ll look back at the season with really fond memories and they’ll be proud of it.”
Carle Place won its first Long Island championship in program history this season. Many of the seniors were also key contributors in the Frogs’ 2019 county title.
The Frogs reached the state final with only 13 active players, leaving two reserves. In comparison, Ausable Valley featured 21 players.
“Even just the fact that we made it here with 13 girls on our roster (is impressive), Bohack said. “They had (almost) 13 girls on their bench, so I’m just so proud of them for making it here and it’s unfortunate they scored when they did.”
Bohack hopes the team’s success this year will increase interest in the program.
“We’re a small school, we don’t have many numbers and we have a lot of seniors graduating so we’re hoping this attracts more girls to the program,” Bohack said. “Right now we don’t even know if we’ll have a team next year numbers-wise.”
Many of the seniors grew up together playing for the Carle Place Soccer Club. They finished playing for a state title.
“They are bummed right now,” Bohack said. “But looking back, it will be great.”
