When two defensive-minded units clash, an x factor is the only key to victory. A big shot, a timely steal, a clutch free throw...any of the above can be the difference maker. But the team with the most potent offensive weapon is the one that usually pulls through, and the Massapequa Chiefs found their weapon in junior forward, Morgan Roessler.

“Morgan fills the lane and gets it going for us,” said Massapequa Head Coach, Shari Roessler, after her Chiefs went to Farmingdale and downed their conference rival, 48-18, in a game that was never close. “[Farmingdale] did a good job of slowing down our transition game, but she was able to give us a lift and then everyone got involved.”

Although the both teams were able to get stops with valiant defensive efforts early on, the Dalers couldn’t buy a bucket. Blown chip shots in the paint and rushed possessions meant they wouldn’t net a field goal until the very end of the first quarter - and they’d come no closer than trailing 6-4. The Dalers’ ship sunk quickly and steadily in the second quarter.

“We usually defend well; defense is our strength,” Coach Roessler said. “But [in a loss] against Freeport [on January 31st], we couldn’t score. Today we were able to do that.”

After scoring all six of the Chiefs’ points in the first quarter, Roessler went on a second quarter tear, spearheading a 15-4 Massapequa run that deflated the Dalers. Although the home team continued to hustle on defense, wild shots and turnovers nullified their efforts at the other end of the floor. The wound only became more infected for the Dalers in the second half - they could only muster five field goals for the entire game. Meanwhile, the Chiefs found their altitude with Roessler’s efforts being bolstered by Danielle Doherty (8 points) and Sabrina Fregosi, who scored all ten of her points in the fourth quarter before going down with a knee injury.

Typically an intense, scrappy rivalry, this years Farmingdale-Massapequa showdowns have been anti-climactic - the Chiefs won both match-ups by an average of 27 points.

Nadine Hadnagy led Farmingdale with six points.