by Steve Bradley
HF 19 Greenwich 18
On Monday afternoon the Lady Panthers faced the Greenwich Witches for a seed in the Section II playoffs. A win, and the resulting Sectional game, would make a historic first for the Ladies program.
Both teams played like they wanted that spot. In a game that became a shootout, the Panthers led most of the game, but Greenwich stayed right on their tails throughout. With the halftime score tied at 9 – 9 neither team could stop the other.
In the second half, goals were traded back and forth, and the Panthers maintained a lead, but it was not a comfortable lead by any means. The game wasn’t a sure win until the final horn.
Jordyn Haynes scored 7 goals; Caytlyn Springer had 6, and Hannah Fricke added 2. Anna Wysocki, Alyssa Houghton, Kara LaFlamme and Clare Seifert each chipped in one goal. Zaynah Poore had 14 saves.
With the win the Ladies won a place in the New York Section II championship playoff. This is the first time the program has qualified for the tournament. They were to face number one seed Albany.
Albany Academy 20 HF 6
In a game in which a win wasn’t nearly as important as the fact that Hoosick Falls Lady Panthers lacrosse was playing in an historic sectional game, the team played Albany Academy for the third time this season. Playing on undefeated Albany’s home field the Panthers put up a respectable fight. With the score at Albany 7 – HF 4 well into the game, Albany started to pull ahead and the Panthers, try as they might, just could not keep pace.
Jordyn Haynes had 3 goals of her own, and with some slick, unselfish passes, assisted with others. Hannah Fricke added two goals, and Elise North-Kirkman had one. Zaynah Poore had 10 saves.
The Panthers finished the season at 2 – 15 overall and 1 – 9 in league play.