The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Panther Ladies Win 2 – 0, Advance In Sectionals

By

by Steve Bradley

The number one seeded Section II, Class C, HFCS field hockey team began the Sectionals on Tuesday. The quarterfinal action ended with a win over eighth seeded North Warren. The North Warren Cougars won the chance to face the Panthers by defeating Granville 2 – 0 Monday afternoon. The Panthers defeated North Warren twice in the regular season, but the Cougars always made the Panthers work for it.

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After firing off a shot, Liz Ryan watches the ball fly toward the goal Tuesday afternoon in sectional action. Eventually, after bouncing off the goalie’s stick, it became Ryan’s second goal of the game. Photo by Steve Bradley
After firing off a shot, Liz Ryan watches the ball fly toward the goal Tuesday afternoon in sectional action. Eventually, after bouncing off the goalie’s stick, it became Ryan’s second goal of the game. Photo by Steve Bradley

While most of the first half was played in the North Warren end of the field, neither team was able to get a goal. Hoosick Falls had corner after corner but was unable to finish them. As little time as the Cougars spent in front of the Panther goal, they did all they could to score, giving the Panthers a few scares. The Panther Ladies’ play was not very aggressive and a bit sloppy at times. Although they had their chances, they took few shots in the half.

The Ladies came out for the second half much more determined. Liz Ryan finally got the Panthers on the scoreboard at the 17:00 minute mark. Less than four minutes later, Ryan got her second goal from 25 feet out after the ball bounced off the goalie’s stick and into the goal. Those were the only goals of the afternoon, but they were enough for the Panthers to advance.

The Ladies will play next Tuesday against an undetermined foe. The game will be at home.

HF 3 – Salem 0

Salem High School, 10/14, HF (O) 15-0, (L) 12-0. Liz Ryan scored three unassisted goals as the Panthers defeated Salem. Cassie Sherman had one save as the Generals didn’t spend much time in the Panther end of the field. Salem starting goalie Abby Davis had three saves, and her replacement Jessica Vidal had eight.

HF 4 – Emma Willard 0

Emma Willard, 10/16, HF (O) 16-0, (L) 12-0, EW (O) 7-6, (L) 6-2. Ally Burdick and Liz Ryan, with plenty of help from the rest of the team, combined for four scores at the Emma Willard campus. Burdick, with an assist from Ryan, got the Panthers on the board midway through the first half. With just over eight minutes left in the half, Ryan scored with no assist to put the Panthers up 2 – 0 at the half. It was a repeat show in the second half with a Burdick goal with a Ryan assist and Ryan getting her second goal later in the half. Cassie Sherman had two saves, while EW goalie Sasha Bonesteel was kept busy with 16 saves.[/private]