Half Hollow Hills Tops Northport in High-Scoring Thriller

Half Hollow Hills remained undefeated with a hard-earned 16-14 victory over a battle-tested Northport squad in a highly anticipated Suffolk I showdown between two of the county's premier programs. Hills held off a fierce second-half push by the Tigers to improve to 11-0, further cementing its status as a legitimate title contender.   Northport came out of the gates dialed in and aggressive, riding the energy of early offensive rhythm and dominating the tempo of the first half. Midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='52186' first='Luke' last='Loiacono'] got the Tigers on the board with a physical dodge down the alley, finishing low with precision. Minutes later, [player_tooltip player_id='42652' first='Greyson' last='Cabrera'] added to the lead with a dynamic right-to-left split dodge before unleashing a powerful right-handed rip to the far post.   The Tigers' offense stayed hot as [player_tooltip player_id='127558' first='Gavin' last='O'Brien'] ignited a six-goal run that stunned Hills midway through the half. O'Brien showcased his two-way versatility, finishing off a fast break after a caused turnover, slicing through defenders, and finishing on the doorstep. Northport dictated the pace with quick ball movement and clean execution.   [player_tooltip player_id='123993' first='Daniel' last='Chung'] kickstarted the comeback with a determined left-handed sweep, fighting through contact to finish a momentum-shifting goal. Shortly after, standout LSM Jake Casamento made one of the game's most electric plays, scooping a loose ball in transition, outrunning his defender, and finishing on the run with a bouncer that fired up the Hills sideline.   As the third quarter wound down, [player_tooltip player_id='38857' first='Ryan' last='Chung'] delivered a massive momentum swing with a buzzer-beating goal from distance. After a scramble for possession, Chung collected the ball and ripped a 15-yard shot that beat the horn, cutting the deficit and swinging the energy firmly in Hills' favor heading into the fourth.   The final quarter featured fast-paced, high-pressure lacrosse with both teams trading blows. Northport's [player_tooltip player_id='127556' first='Logan' last='Cash'] rose to the occasion with a goal off a dodge from the substitution box, followed by a slick assist to O'Brien inside for the game-tying score at 12-12.   But Hills responded with composure and confidence. Luke Bradley delivered a go-ahead bounce shot from up top off a righty sweep, and then James Bruno followed with a rocket to give Hills breathing room. As Northport pressed to claw back into the game, Bruno struck again on a transition goal after a broken clear, finishing with poise and power to give Hills a two-goal cushion.   Northport had one last chance when [player_tooltip player_id='127336' first='Dylan' last='Baumgarth'] won a late faceoff clean and sprinted to the cage, but Hills goalie Sal Santoro made the save of the game, dropping low to stuff the shot and protect the lead. Hills controlled possession in the final minute to run out the clock and secure their toughest win of the season so far.    The Bates College commit finished with two goals in a strong all-around performance. His buzzer-beater to end the third quarter was a momentum-changer, pulling Hills closer heading into the final frame. Chung played with poise and energy throughout, contributing both in transition and settled sets. His smart decision-making and timely scoring helped fuel Hills' finish the game strong.     The Harvard-bound midfielder was the engine behind Half Hollow Hills' offense, finishing with four goals and two assists. Marco consistently initiated sets with confidence, drawing slides and making smart reads that opened up space for teammates. His ability to dictate tempo and stay composed in pressure situations was evident, especially during the Hills' second-half rally. He assisted the go-ahead goal to Bruno late in the fourth and found the back of the net with a blend of high-IQ cuts and sharp shooting.     The Siena-bound midfielder showed why he's one of the top middies in Suffolk county. Cash totaled three goals and two assists, consistently making plays in transition and settled offense. He scored an electric low-to-high rip out of the box and set up multiple goals, including a perfectly timed feed to O'Brien for a late equalizer. Cash's field vision, change of direction, and shooting range added a dynamic edge to Northport's midfield. He also quarterbacked man-up situations, nearly tying the game late with a rocket that struck pipe.     O'Brien exploded for five goals and two assists in the loss. He powered Northport's second-half surge, including a strong downhill take in transition and a key run that featured six unanswered goals. O'Brien's blend of strength, speed, and a deceptive hitch made him a nightmare matchup for Hills defenders. Even as Hills began to turn the tide, O'Brien remained dangerous, showcasing elite field vision and precise timing on dodges and feeds. His chemistry with Cash was on full display, particularly on a fourth-quarter sequence that tied the game at 12.     Haugen finished with four goals and was working effectively off-ball to exploit gaps in Northport's defensive coverage all game. He often positioned himself perfectly for quick-stick finishes and backdoor cuts, and was one of Hills' most efficient scorers. While not as flashy as some of his teammates, Haugen's timing and spacing made him essential to the team's flow, and his scoring gave Hills the punch it needed to weather Northport's runs. Whether on the man-up unit or in settled sets, Haugen's awareness and finishing ability stood out.

Half Hollow Hills remained undefeated with a hard-earned 16-14 victory over a battle-tested Northport squad in a highly anticipated Suffolk I showdown between two of the county's premier programs. Hills held off a fierce second-half push by the Tigers to improve to 11-0, further cementing its status as a legitimate title contender.