Oct. 20: Riverhead 3, Brentwood 2

After starting the season 3-10, Riverhead came alive in the final five games of the season. They earned wins over William Floyd, Longwood, Central Islip and finished the season with a win over Brentwood to finish the year, 7-11. Madison Zambriski nailed a season-high 11 aces in the win over Brentwood. Leandra North connected on 13 kills. Adriana Martinez had 21 assists in her final volleyball game of her career.

Girls Soccer

Oct. 18: Shoreham-Wading River 7, Amityville 0

The Shoreham-Wading River girls’ soccer team is picking up steam heading into another playoff run. The Wildcats, coming off a state final four appearance, are poised to make another run. SWR got goals from Mia Mangano, Abby Cooke, Brenna Molinelli, Ella Nowaski, Olivia Pesso, Rosalie Wagner and Jordyn Albert in the win over Amityville. Mangano has scored 26 goals so far in her final season as a Wildcat.

Oct. 20: Riverhead 2, Hampton Bays 1

In their final game of the developmental league this season, Riverhead earned a sweep of Hampton Bays. With every game being decided by just one goal, the competition between the two programs was fierce. Ellie Cammarota scored for the goals for the Blue Waves who finished their season 9-3 in the league.

Boys Golf

Riverhead’s Colby Baran competed in the Suffolk County individual tournament on Monday and Tuesday at Pines Hills Golf Club. He earned his third straight qualification for the New York State tournament in the spring. The senior finished in second place in all of Suffolk County with a score of 76 on day one and 79 on day two. 

Shoreham-Wading River’s Conor Dietz earned All-County recognition after registering a 80 on day one and finishing with a 86 on day two. 

Field Hockey

Oct. 20: Miller Place 2, Shoreham-Wading River 0

Shoreham-Wading River has had an up-and-down season so far, losing a handful of games down the stretch, including a 2-0 loss to Miller Place, to sink their record to 9-6 this season in Division II. Their win/loss total, along with their power points, should be good enough to still make the playoffs this season, where they can get a fresh slate. Madison Herr has had an electric season, scoring 20 goals and assisting on 10 others.

Football

Oct. 18: John Glenn 48, Shoreham-Wading River 10

It’s been a tough season for the Wildcats as they’ve suffered another loss to bring their season record to 2-4, with their playoff hopes dangling. Shoreham-Wading River was only able to get one touchdown on the board against John Glenn as Brandyn Bland was able to corral a 26-yard pass from Noah Gregorek. They’ll face one of the best teams in the Division in Babylon (6-0) on Friday, Oct. 24.

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After dropping the first set against William Floyd, 25-21, the Blue Waves (3-10, Division I) came storming back to sweep the last three sets of the match for a 3-1 victory. 

The win was especially sweet since the event helped raise money for a Riverhead mom battling cancer.

“Every one has come into contact with someone with cancer throughout their lives,” Riverhead head coach Nicole Orfanitopolous said. “Each of the girls picked someone that has been impacted by cancer in their lives and put their name on the back of their jersey.”

Orfanitopolous, last year’s JV coach, has taken the reins after coach Rose Horton took this year off following the birth of her baby. She’s seen the ups and downs with a roster featuring only four seniors, but the game against William Floyd showed what this team could really do when they set their mind to it.

“It’s really been game by game this season,” Orfanitopolous said. “The games that are winnable. We have been putting our best foot forward. We’re definitely in a tougher league this year with Sachem East and Sachem North. But we’ve been holding our own in a bunch of games this season but just haven’t been able to win those close matches. Even so, I really consider this more of a rebuilding year.”

When they faced off against undefeated and first-place Bay Shore on Oct. 6, Riverhead won the first two sets of the game before losing the final three. In Bay Shore’s 15 wins, Riverhead is only one of three teams to take them to a fifth set.

Three major players stood among the rest in the victory over William Floyd. Leandra North had a massive game in front of the net. The junior connected on 16 kills.

“Leandra’s a powerhouse out there for us,” Orfanitopolous said. “She’s starting to really comprehend the tactical awareness of the game … She’s continuing to grow.”

A pair of sophomores have been major contributors in front of the net this year in Kassidy Doyle and Madison Zambriski. Doyle had seven kills and four blocks. Most of her damage was done in the fourth set when her team needed it most. 

“This is Kass’ first year on varsity and she’s been playing travel and it’s showing,” Orfanitopolous said. “Her confidence is growing and growing, and she’s crushing it. Can’t wait to see how she continues to develop.”

Zambriski nailed seven kills of her own but also contributed three aces, coming up with crucial game-changing plays over and over.

“It’s crazy to think that Maddy is only in 10th grade,” Orfanitopolous said. “She’s consistently playing travel volleyball, and you need to do that to be successful here. She’s consistent in all parts of her game. When we need a point, we can always rely on her.”

But the part they won’t get back next year is the consistency in the middle with setter Adriana Martinez. The senior has been on varsity since her freshman year and has been the epitome of cool, calm and collected since she’s stepped foot on the court.

“That’s going to be the biggest thing next year,” Orfanitopolous said. “You can’t get a better setter than Adriana. The way she’s able to pass effortlessly and always be positive and make major plays for us is something we can’t just replace.”

Riverhead has three games left on the schedule. A few more wins will do everything for the momentum coming into next season.

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