Babylon Girls Face-Off for Suffolk County Title

Match-up: Babylon (9-5, Division II) vs. Pierson/Bridgehampton (9-5, Division III)

Time/Venue: Tuesday, November 8, 7 p.m. @ Ward Melville High School

First-year coach Catherine York has done something that no Babylon field hockey coach has done since 1997: she’s gotten her team into the playoffs. That was the same year assistant coach Cecila Galbraith graduated Babylon High School. It’s been a long time between post-season appearances.

And on Tuesday night, York’s Panthers will face their ultimate test this season as they go up against last year’s Class C Long Island champion, Pierson/Bridgehampton. At stake: a Suffolk County title.

To prepare for the game, York had her team on Monday practicing at a nearby turf field, for only the second time this season. But given Babylon plays on the school’s football field, which this time of year is more compacted dirt than plush lawn, it might not be a big obstacle.

“Our field plays pretty fast,” York said, who was assistant coach at Harborfields last year. “I think it would be harder if we were a turf team trying to transition to grass.”

Field conditions not withstanding, Babylon features strength throughout their lineup. Four players—Maggie Griffo, Bridget McCarthy, Dottie Barker and Katie Lydakis—made All-Division, while Kate Wilson made All-Conference and Kerry Glendary was an honorable mention at All-County.

Offensively, Griffo, McCarthy and Michelle Magini tied for the team lead with nine goals. Barker, the Panther’s senior goalie, had seven shutouts en route to Babylon’s 9 – 5 regular season. During that stretch, they outscored their opponents 35 – 22. Pierson, always stingy on defense, outscored their opponents 38 – 10 in their 9-5 season.

Live Tweeting: Can’t get to the game? Patch will be tweeting the score at halftime and at the conclusion of the game. Follow us every day through Twitter: @BabylonVPatch.