Abruzzo scored all three of the Mustangs' goals as they clinched at least a share of the League VI regular season title in front of a home crowd that, at times, seemed more interested in drawing attention to itself than in watching Mount Sinai win the game.
That was because the game was being taped to be broadcast Tuesday evening on MSG Varsity. Mount Sinai coach Harold Drumm said the Mustangs knew when the game would be on TV even before it started.
Abruzzo might remember it more because, after the game, having been chosen as the highlight player of the game, she went before the cameras for her first television interview.
"It was kind of scary," Abruzzo said of the experience. "I've never been on TV before."
Neither had any of her teammates, but at the game's onset, they did not demonstrate any nervousness. Instead, the intensity of their offensive attack matched that of the lights, both from the television cameras and from the stadium lights overhead.
Drumm said the Mustangs' strategy had been to try to go over the top of the Phantoms' defense, and try to get Abruzzo the ball with a chance to score.
Almost immediately, the Mustangs had their first breakaway attempt, but Bayport goalie Rachel O'Brien retrieved the ball before Abruzzo could catch up to the pass. Two minutes later, and less than three into the game, Abruzzo got off the Mustangs' first shot. But it sailed over the crossbar.
Twice, Mount Sinai was whistled for being offside. It would be a busy night for O'Brien, who racked up 16 saves.
After that initial burst, it was the Phantoms who dominated play for the rest of the half. But none of their shots got by Mount Sinai goalie Lauren Ferris, who also made 16 saves.
The last time these two teams played, the Phantoms scored first. Only a last-second penalty kick from Jackie Martinetion helped the Mustangs salvage a 2-2 tie and maintain their undefeated League VI record.
This time would be different. After an offensive lull, Mount Sinai found an opening. A through pass found Abruzzo open for a breakaway score to put Mount Sinai up 1-0 with 9:04 left in the first half.
"I didn't stress with the girls that they had to get on the board first," Drumm said, adding, "I didn't want to put too much pressure on the girls, but getting the first cap was definitely a comfortable feeling."
When the ball hit the back of the net, the decibel level of the home crowd's cheering spiked. It never let up.
"They were out there supporting," Drumm said of the crowd. "The girls loved it. It was a fun game to have on TV."
The fans barely had a chance to settle down before Abruzzo was blazing past the Phantom defense again. The shot she pushed past O'Brien caught the inside of the left post and rolled in for a 2-0 lead at halftime.
But the Mustangs couldn't get too comfortable. Two minutes into the second half, Sarah Painter sent a header past Ferris to cut Mount Sinai's lead in half. Suddenly, the prospect of being on television seemed less appealing.
"Once the game got close, we started getting a little nervous," Abruzzo said. "We were trying to tell everybody, calm down, play our game. Just don't be fazed by it."
Just over a minute later, a Bayport shot hit the top of the crossbar and rolled out of bounds. That was as close as the Phantoms would get.
For good measure, Abruzzo scored on yet another breakaway midway through the half to close the night's scoring and tally her second hat trick of the week.
Afterward, she said the Mustangs could learn what they had done well and what they could do better by watching the game's broadcast. The Mustangs improved to 8-0-2 in League VI and 8-1-2 overall by beating the second-place Phantoms (6-3-1 in League VI, 6-6-1 overall), but opponents beware.
"I don't think we played great soccer tonight," Drumm said. "The girls just came out and wanted to win and they worked really hard. I think we're definitely capable of playing better soccer."
Abruzzo added that if the Mustangs continue playing the way they did Wednesday night, their season may not end for a while.
The Mustangs host Shoreham-Wading River at 6 p.m. on Tuesday. And if that's not enough soccer for them, they can go home and watch Wednesday night's game afterward. Air time is 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. The Mustangs can clinch the league title outright with a tie in their final two matches or a Shoreham tie or loss in any of its final three matches.
jwilliams@northshoresun.com