Jessica Russo turned and fired in one motion. While her teammates celebrated the clinching goal, the senior attack crumpled to the turf at Hofstra's Shuart Stadium. An eerie silence fell over the crowd.

St. Anthony's won its grudge match with Sacred Heart, 14-10, on Thursday to wrap up the Nassau-Suffolk CHSAA girls lacrosse championship. But at what cost?

The Northwestern-bound Russo has had knee surgery in the past. So there was reason for concern as she lingered on the turf with just six seconds left.

But she did get up. And she did walk off the field on her own power.

And at that moment, her teammates were likely as relieved to see their leader was OK as they were excited to finish the season on top.

St. Anthony's (12-3-3), ranked ninth in Class A in the latest New York State Sportswriters Poll, lost in the title game a year ago to Sacred Heart, a 14-12 heartbreaker.

Not this time. The Friars have played with purpose all season long. It began with a 16-12 win over Kellenberg in the semifinals on Saturday.

"This game meant so much more, especially to all the returning players,'' Russo said. "We remember last year's loss.''

Russo helped power the Friars. She entered the game with more than 80 goals on the season. She added six more against Sacred Heart. And the Friars needed every bit of that spark.

Sacred Heart senior Meghan Tigh was mobbed by teammates after beating Danielle Pawliw low with 16 seconds left in the half, forging a tie at 6.

The Friars led 9-8 before pulling away in the second half.

Russo, who said she was suffering from a right calf cramp and not a knee injury, got plenty of attention once the game ended. Reporters, teammates looking for a picture, well-wishers and a bevy of trainers surrounded her.

It may have been an imperfect ending for the four-year starter, but Russo took it all with the experience that embodies a great leader. She could see the journey in it all. And the journey was finally at an end.

Jessica Russo made it look easy. She scored six times, including an unassisted goal with 5:11 left to push the lead to 13-9. The Northwestern-bound Russo finished her four-year career with a mountain of goals and three league titles.


TEAM..................1.......2 — FINAL
Sacred Heart.......6.......4 — 10
St. Anthony's.......6.......8 — 14
Goals — SH: 10 (Tigh 2, L. Corin 2, R. Corin 2, Brent, Corcoran, Tita, Ginty); SA: 14 (Russo 6, Madden 3, Skrynecki 2, Bloom, Mangan, Bradley). Saves — SH: O'Brien 7; SA: Pawliw 12.