Written By:  Andrew Mosier
Photography By:  Hailey Leonard

 

 

KELLY BRADY AND NIAMH HEALY LIFT CLARKSTOWN SOCCER CLUB OVER NIAGARA 1812 IN EAST REGION SEMIFINALS

 

 

Clarkstown Soccer Club is on to the East Region Playoffs finals.

Kelly Brady tallied twice and Niamh Healy added three assists on Saturday afternoon to put the Northeastern Conference champs through with a 4-1 win over Niagara 1812 at SUSA Orlin and Cohen Sports Complex in Central Islip, N.Y. 

Nikki Crane and Isabella Winn added goals for Clarkstown in the win while Arianna Zumpano scored the unranked Niagara’s lone goal. 

“We did a lot of homework on this team [Niagara 1812]. I think it showed today. We came in knowing they could be dangerous. We did a fantastic job neutralizing their attack,” Danny Samimi, Clarkstown Soccer Club head coach, said.   

Clarkstown came out from the opening whistle with an unrelenting press and pinned Niagara deep into its defensive third for the opening minutes of the match. The pressure led to a 5’ minute turnover 30 yards from the Niagara goal. 

 

Clarkstown Soccer Clubs defeats Niagara 1812 in East Region Semifinal, 2024 Photo by Hailey Leonard

 

Healey (post-collegiate) calmly played the ball to Brady (University of Mississippi) for her first of two assists on the day. Brady hit a curling bomb to the far post from 25 yards from goal to go up 1-0. 

“We have a really talented group of forwards that enable us to press really high,” Samimi said. “We were able to keep up the pressure the entire game says a lot about the determination of this team.” 

Clarkstown did not back off after the opening goal and repeatedly tested Niagara goalkeeper, Madison Crosbie, over the next 20 minutes. 

Niagara’s best chance of the half came off a counterattack in the 22’ minute when Zumpano (University at Buffalo) was put through on goal by Isabelle Libera (Nipissing University). Zumpano’s first-time smash to the far post was spectacularly parried away for a corner kick by the diving Clarkstown goalkeeper, Kayla Bower. 

Crane (academy) doubled Clarkstown’s lead moments later after running onto a sublime pass from Healy inside the penalty area. A heavy touch put Crane wide of the goal but was able to slip her shot under the rushing Crosbie (University of Dayton) and off the far post for her second goal of the season. 

Winn (UCLA) made it 3-0 in the 37’ minute with a beautiful strike from outside the penalty area after Niagara could only partially clear a Clarkstown corner. With a moment to settle the ball onto her left foot and hit a laser into the near upper corner for her second goal of the season. 

Niagara’s halftime adjustments offered some relief at the start of the second half, creating pressure of its own on every Clarkstown possession. The pressure paid immediate dividends when Maia Maclean won a hard tackle 50 yards from goal. With the ball at her feet, Maclean (Niagara University) fed a streaking Zumpano who finished past an onrushing Bower (St. John’s University) to make it 3-1 in the 50’ minute. 

 

Clarkstown Soccer Clubs defeats Niagara 1812 in East Region Semifinal, 2024 Photo by Hailey Leonard

“They have some really good attacking players. We knew that going in. They were going to get some chances. Our defense did an incredible job keeping them to just one goal,” Samimi said. 

Clarkstown responded immediately. After playing the ball back along the Clarkstown defensive line, Healy ran onto a diagonal ball and found Brady unmarked at the top of the six-yard box for her second of the night and her 14th goal of the season.  

“Kelly [Brady] was just incredible for us tonight. She has been all season. Niamh Healy had a great game for us, too. For a forward to get three assists shows just how selfless she is as a player,” Samimi said. 

With the win, (2) Clarkstown Soccer Club faces the winner of the Reading United A.C. on Sunday. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 PM EDT at SUSA Orlin and Cohen Sports Complex Saturday afternoon in Central Islip, N.Y.

“It doesn’t matter who we play. We are going to go out and do what we do,” Samimi said.

 

 

 

CLARKSTOWN SOCCER CLUB 4 - 1 NIAGARA 1812

1-0: Brady (Healy) 5’
2-0: Crane (Healy) 25’
3-0: Winn 37’
3-1: Zumpano 50’
4-1: Brady (Healy) 52’