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Girls Soccer: Babylon, weather aren’t kind to Mercy in semifinal

Lindsey Woodhull, one of Bishop McGann-Mercy's seven seniors, kicking the ball during Tuesday's semifinal in Babylon. (Credit: Robert O'Rourk)

Bishop McGann Mercy’s experience in the high school girls soccer playoffs was a short one.

The third-seeded Monarchs were beaten, 4-0, by No. 2 Babylon on Wednesday in a Suffolk County Class B semifinal.

The game in Babylon was played in  front of a small group of fanatical fans who braved some of the worst weather this season, with gusting winds and raging rain that continued throughout the entire game. The field at the west end goal had to be prepared with bags of sand so that the game could start on time. But the relentless rain still affected playing conditions.

The Monarchs (7-7-1) competed well with the Panthers (12-3-1) until a Babylon free kick was saved by goalie Juliana Cintron-Leonardo. However, the rebound was put in by Shayne Antolini for the opening goal.

Less than two minutes later, Antolini raced to catch a ball served from across the field and she banged it home for a 2-0 lead.

Just before the end of the first half, Emma Ward netted the third goal.

It was the last high school game for McGann-Mercy’s seniors: Ashlyn Burbano, Taya Coniglio, Alexandra Hulse, Susanna Osinski, Dayna Young, Lindsey Woodhull and Leonardo.

“It’s bittersweet … but I love my team,” Leonardo said. “We played our hearts out today.”

Young said: “I’m really sad its over. The team is like a family to me.”

Burbano said she wouldn’t trade the world for her “family.” Coniglio echoed the family sentiment and remarked, “We’re going to stay together.”

Coach Mary Jackson said she likes her team a great deal. She hopes that next year’s team will build on what was achieved this year.

“This was a tough game. Despite the weather, you played well,” she said to her players after the game.

Babylon will play the winner of Thursday’s semifinal between No. 4 Mattituck (7-7-1) and No. 1 Center Moriches (12-1-1) on Saturday in Coram.

Photo: Lindsey Woodhull, one of Bishop McGann-Mercy’s seven seniors, kicking the ball during Tuesday’s semifinal in Babylon. (Credit: Robert O’Rourk)