Hauppauge Girls Lacrosse Takes Down Rocky Point 16-5

The game started out relatively even, but once the undefeated Hauppauge girls’ lacrosse team got going, they proved to be virtually unstoppable.

Spurred by a six-goal run in the first half and a five-goal run to end the game, Hauppauge remained undefeated as they beat the Rocky Point Eagles 16-5 on Saturday afternoon.

“I think that today was an absolute team effort,” Hauppauge head coach Abigail Zetlmann said. “I think everybody who stepped on the field participated and everybody had something to do with today’s win. I really can’t honestly point out any one player; they all did everything together, which was great.”

The offensive load was shouldered by Taylor Ranftle, who scored five goals and three assists, and Jennifer Porretto, who added four goals and three assists. Porretto also set the tone on the defensive end, causing three turnovers and picking up four groundballs.

Rocky Point, the defending Suffolk County champions, fell behind early and did not recover.

“No, I don’t think it was one thing,” head coach Jen Fucich said. “It was a combination of things and I think some of us have not had the experience playing at this caliber. So we’ve seen it, we’ve done it, and the second time around it will work out better.”

This time Hauppauge was just too much. Behind the contributions of Ranftle and Porretto were other key players. Lauren Descalzo had two goals and three assists, Jenna Vinci had two goals and Diana Rienzo scored two as well.

“I think we really went into the game with a sense of pride,” Zetlmann said. “We’ve had issues finishing in the past but we won every 50/50, we brought the ball up and kept the ball in the attacking third and we maintained the lead with pure aggression and pure skill. I think we did a really good job.”

Fucich knew coming into the game that it would be a challenge but she wanted to see her team give it their all.

“I told my team that we have nothing to lose and you have to put it out there 100 percent and we can’t regret  not doing anything on the field,” Fucich said. “We’re prepared to see them again. Yes we lost this game but yes we’ll move on and we have a game on Monday.”

When asked if she thought her team gave 100 percent and left everything on the field, she replied, “some of them.”

She had high praise for All-American Caitlin Gargan, who scored three of Rocky Point’s goals and assisted on another. 

“Gargan played 110 percent from end to end for all 50 minutes,” she said. “She put the effort in.”

Both teams have a quick turnaround, as Hauppauge hosts Comsewogue and Rocky Point travels to Kings Park on Monday. Rocky Point remains in the playoff hunt, falling to 5-4 in league play. Hauppauge continued its unbeaten season, moving to 10-0 overall.