By Brian Heyman Newsday

Match play had already ended under the gray sky covering the Blue Course at Eisenhower Park, with St. Anthony’s winning two and Our Lady of Mercy one. Now the foursome featuring the top two players on each side had finished stroke play on the ninth hole.

The scorecards revealed two more victories for St. Anthony’s.

This was a young group of Friars making a bid for the NSCHSAA girls golf team title. Three sophomores and two freshmen were out there playing in the finals. But St. Anthony’s was the team posing happily with the championship plaque, having won, 4-1, on Friday

“I had two girls [Grace London and Emma Giaquinto] that I knew would be good at the beginning of the season and the rest I was, like, really worried about because they were so new to the game,” said Kathy Calfa, the Friars’ first-year coach. “The focus and improvement they showed so quickly was unbelievable.”

St. Anthony’s had gone 7-2-1 during the regular season, including 1-0-1 vs. the Mustangs, who went 4-3-3.  Both teams advanced out of a playoff in the semis. And now the Friars owned first prize.

“It means a lot,” London said. “It’s only the beginning for me because I’m only a sophomore. I just think it’s going to grow from here for both myself and the team.”

London was matched up against the league’s co-player of the year, senior Mackenzie McManus. No. 1 vs. No. 1. London birdied the first hole and the sixth and finished at two-over 38, five strokes better than McManus.

“We’re definitely very happy with how we ended up,” McManus said. “We had a great season. Each one of our players made a lot of progress in their own game.”

Giaquinto, another sophomore, was one stroke better (49-50) than her sophomore counterpart, Antonia Vitale, at No. 2.

In match play, St. Anthony’s won at No. 3 and No. 5. Freshman Nicole Amoruso defeated sophomore Jackie Mestousis, 5-and-4, and freshman Skyler Amplo beat senior Sam Shea, 3-and-2.

Junior Sara Collure was the lone winner for Our Lady of Mercy, emerging with a 3-and-1 decision over sophomore Leah Garvey at No. 4.

“I thought the better team won,” Mustangs coach John Rooney said. “I think we played well. I think they played better.”

Next comes the NSCHSAA individual championship tournament Tuesday, an 18-hole competition at Eisenhower. Calfa likes London’s chances.

“I think Grace is a top player,” Calfa said.

Rooney feels McManus can win. She tied for fifth last year.

“I think she has a great chance,” Rooney said. “She’s been playing tournament golf for a long time.”