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Sports

Syosset Sting Falls Just Short in National Title Game

U-17 girls soccer squad loses 1-0 to So Cal.

OVERLAND PARK, Kan.–Syosset Sting 92 Elite coach Joe Agiato would be the first to admit that his team does not feature many superstars. However, what his girls may lack in physical size and talent, they make up for with teamwork and determination.

On Sunday at the U.S. Youth Soccer National Championships in Overland Park, Kan., the Sting showed these characteristics against So Cal Blues Dodge (Calif.), but came up short for the U-17 girls title, 1-0. Lauren Bohaboy netted the only goal in the 48th minute as the Blues were able to build on momentum from late in the first half.

"We held the line for the most part," Agiato said. "They made a couple of great plays that they didn't hit. We made a couple of great plays that we didn't hit. The law of averages [says] when people keep making great plays, eventually something's going to happen. And they got the goal."

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Although Syosset outperformed So Cal in the most important statistical categories–earning more corner kick opportunities and shots on goal–the Sting's best chances ended as near misses. In the first half, a free kick by Liz Agiato clipped the top of the post.

"Most of the time that ball goes in," Agiato said of his daughter's attempt, "and this time the ball didn't go in."

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Then, Syosset's best chance of the second half–a dead-on kick by Liana Cornaccio in the 79th minute-landed innocently in the Blues' goalkeeper's hands. Cornacchio pulled her jersey over her head, showing the disappointment that many of her teammates experienced after the final whistle.

"U-17 is always a special team because half your team graduates. This is the last time they get to play together," Agiato said, his voice cracking.

Unlike the Blues, who have three players committed to play Division I soccer, the U-17 Sting may not send a girl off to such a program. Even so, Agiato could not be more proud of his players.

"They got here out of heart. They got here just by playing together," Agiato said. "We don't have any national players… Nobody's an intergalactic forward, nobody's going to the ACC, nobody's going to the SEC. They're all going to good schools [but] they're not going to top-10 soccer schools. And they did this all on heart and guts and grit."

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