The Mount Sinai senior's speed, coupled with her footwork skills, allows to her excel on the field in a number of ways. Against Kings Park Tuesday night in the first round of the Class A playoffs, Martinetion found herself very much involved offensively. She delivered a career-high three goals in a 4-2 win that sends the Mustangs to the semifinals Friday against Hauppauge.

"I like scoring, but I'll do whatever my team needs," Martinetion said.

Scoring will be exactly what the Mustangs need from Martinetion in their next game if they hope to advance to the county finals. Ally Abruzzo, the Mustangs' leading scorer and dynamic forward, possibly tore her Achilles tendon in the second half and had to leave the game in an ambulance.

The injury to Abruzzo, who scored a goal with an assist, cast a dark shadow on an impressive win for the Mustangs as they left the field unsure of their teammates' fate.

"We're really excited about winning, but Ally's obviously a very big part of our team," Martinetion said.

With the Mustangs ahead 4-2, Abruzzo chased down a ball near midfield and slid out of bounds trying to keep the ball in play. But as her left foot planted in the turf, she rolled her ankle over and collapsed in pain on her back, laying in tears for several minutes. Her father and Mount Sinai coach Harold Drumm carried her to the bench so play could resume as they waited for an ambulance.

Drumm said Wednesday that X-rays were negative but Abruzzo had to undergo an MRI, which would reveal for sure whether there was a tear. Either way, Drumm said it would be very unlikely Abruzzo could play Friday and best case scenario would be she could return Wednesday for the county championship if the Mustangs win.

The game was delayed twice -- at the point of the injury and when the ambulance arrived. Play resumed for good as Abruzzo was carted on a stretcher around the track from the bench toward the ambulance as fans chanted her name.

"For her career I hope she's OK," Drumm said after the game. "But hopefully she's just a little bruised up, we can tape it up and get her back in the game."

There's no overestimating the importance of Abruzzo to Mount Sinai's offense. Not only did she score the majority of the team's goals this season, but she was involved in many of the goals she didn't score. And her presence alone on the field causes an opponent to dedicate a defender to her and always account for her.

"She basically got us here," Martinetion said. "She's always playing her hardest and always getting the goals for us that we need."

Abruzzo put the Mustangs on the board just 39 seconds into the game. Five minutes later Martinetion would score her first goal as the Mustangs jumped out to the early two-goal advantage.

As the No. 2 seed playing the No. 10, the quick start couldn't have been any better for the Mustangs.

"I think when you score early like that the momentum is now all Mount Sinai," Drumm said. "Then they have to do the mental thing to get back up."

Mount Sinai took a 3-0 lead before Kings Park finally got on the board late in the first half.

The Mustangs (10-1-3) used their speed to regain a three-goal lead. With Kings Park (7-8) pushing up on a corner kick, the Mustangs got out in transition with Abruzzo sprinting down the right sideline. The last two defenders chased toward Abruzzo as Martinetion charged down the middle alone.

At just the right moment Abruzzo passed to Martinetion, who waited for the goalkeeper to commit, scooted around her and drilled the shot.

"I get excited," Drumm said of seeing Abruzzo in open space. "Every time she's got the ball like that, we have an opportunity. I look over and see Jackie in the middle of the field with nobody there and that's awesome."

Kings Park added another goal two minutes after Martinetion completed the hat trick when Michelle Yanniello knocked the ball in off an indirect kick by Brittany Mueller.

Mount Sinai goalkeeper Lauren Ferris made 10 saves. Rachael Yavorka and Sarah O'Brien each had an assist.

Against Hauppauge Friday the Mustangs will face the No. 3 seed coming off a 4-0 win against Bayport-Blue Point.

"They're a very physical team," Drumm said. "They have a couple really skilled players and they play real hard."

joew@northshoresun.com

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