Westhampton – In their last go round Southampton freshman Leandra McGuinness managed to steal Westhampton's hopes of a victory with the game's only goal. This time around, her twin sister did the honors, keeping the Southampton girls soccer team in contention for the league title.

The dynamic McGuinness duo – Leandra and Nicole – gave the Hurricanes a taste of what's on the menu over the next three years. The latter sister got Southampton on the board midway through the first half, and the Lady Mariners defense took it from there, securing a 1-0 victory at Carl Hansen Memorial Field, as well as a season sweep of the 'Canes.

"The girls really played their hearts out," Southampton Co-Coach Ike Birdsall said. "I was very happy. A couple more goals would have eased my tension, but overall, I think everyone played really well, and we were able to institute some things that we worked on in practice."

One of those tactics keyed what turned out to be the game-winner for Southampton (8-3-1, 8-2-1 League VIII). McGuinness received a perfectly delivered ball from midfielder Jena Arnister and, after fighting through traffic in the Westhampton box, she drilled a low line drive past Hurricanes keeper Emily Pepe.

"It was a good setup from Jena," McGuinness said. "We'd practiced it. She passed the ball to the opposite side, when the goalie came out I got it and got a goal."

Possessing the Skills
The tally also was a product of Southampton's ability to maintain possession. Arnister and Imani Richardson expertly manned the middle of the field, distributing the ball to their forwards – especially Leanna Pascual, Alyx Tortorice and the McGuinness twins – deep in Westhampton's end. Thanks to that, the Lady Mariners fought off their opponents' post-goal uprising, holding them without a shot until halftime.

"They're one of those teams that have two or three players that control the flow of the game," Westhampton coach Fred Walling said.

Early in the second half, Southampton resumed its dominance, but that was short-lived as the momentum swung to the Hurricanes' side. The key was a strategic change to the midfield. Alexa Broccoli and Hayley Fink began sending deep balls toward the corners, allowing the Hurricane forwards to track them down. While they were able to control play, they still failed to get Alvarado off her feet. Westhampton's biggest threat for an equalizer came in the 58th minute, but Marica Illiano's rocket from the right side was easily handled by the Southampton keeper.

The Hurricanes' ability to hang with the defending league champs was nonetheless an indication of how far they've come since going winless a year ago.

"The girls did a great job," said Walling, whose club evened its record at 6-6, including 6-5 in league play. "It's a complete 180 from last season and seasons before. We're rebuilding the program, rebuilding the team, so we should have a good couple years coming."

Marquee Match-up
Southampton's goals are more short-term. On Friday, the Lady Mariners take part in a match-up of marquee teams when they visit league-leading Copiague. The clubs split the league crown last season, but Southampton wasn't expected to contend following the graduation of 13 seniors. With three games remaining, it's right on Copiague's tail. If Southampton wins out, including Friday, a Copiague draw in one of its remaining games would give each team a share of first place once again; a loss would give Southampton the title outright.

"It would mean so much to me," said Southampton defender Imani Richardson. "It would be a Cinderella story. We were a big underdog, but we came out and started beating everyone. Did I truthfully [think we could contend]? No. I kept my hopes up, but no."

In addition to great leadership from their veteran players, the Lady Mariners have gotten a huge boost from the emergence of the McGuinness twins, who Walling said "Keep us on our toes and keep us backpedaling." They'll look to do the same against Copiague. In their previous meeting this season, Arnister and Nicole McGuinness each scored to give the Lady Mariners a 2-1 victory. This time, it's in Copiague, where Southampton's side faces an unfamiliar playing surface.

"They have a turf field and we're not used to turf," McGuinness said. "It's a lot faster, we have to trap the ball, and it goes quicker when you pass it."

Despite a slump leading up to the Westhampton game, Birdsall said his squad is right where he wants it to be. "We were on a down slope, but now we're building it back up," he said. "Hopefully we'll go into Copiague on Friday and keep that upswing going."