by Steve Bradley
For the third straight year, the Panthers are league champions, a major feat in any sport. HFCS field hockey, led by head coach Denise Campbell, has been very successful. These girls know how to win because they are coached to win. With the league championship secured, they will be aiming for their third straight year as Section II champions.
[private]Liz Ryan is closing in on the all time individual goals in a season record. Ryan recorded three goals over the past week to give her 24 on the season. Ally Burdick is close behind with 22. Ryan set the HFCS record in the 2013 season with 26. Both girls are juniors. Ryan, with 84, and Burdick, with 68, are one – two in all time scoring in the record book.
The pair highlight an entire team effort, being backed by a defense that has allowed a miniscule five goals for the entire season. The offense and defensive play by the team is exciting to watch. All these Panthers have done some great things during the season and hope to continue their success far into the post-season.
HF 3 – Granville 1
HFCS,10/7, HF (O) 13-0, (L) 10-0, G (O) 3-7, (L) 3-6. The Panthers made the journey up to Granville worth the trip. The Ladies grabbed the lead first with Ally Burdick getting an unassisted goal with five minutes gone in the game. Granville came back and tied the game 12 minutes later. It would be the last score for the Horde. Ally Burdick, with an assist from Lillian Hickey scored the Panthers next goal and Liz Ryan would cap off the scoring with an unassisted goal. Cassie Sherman had 3 saves, Granville’s Cheyenne Oakman had 11.
HF 2- Greenwich 0
HFCS,10/9, HF (O) 14-0, (L) 11-0. Facing archrival Greenwich always brings out the best play of both teams. This being a game that postponement was seriously considered due to an all day rain, both teams played their hearts out. For the Panthers, a win would mean sole ownership of a Wasaren/Adirondack League championship. The game started in the rain, but as the game progressed, the rain came to an end. Liz Ryan scored two unassisted goals, with both coming the first half. The goals turned out to be the only goals of the game. Both teams did everything they could to add to the goal total, but with nice goalie play by both teams, all other attempts were turned back. Greenwich goalie Olivia Barnes had 11 saves, and the Panthers Cassie Sherman saved five.
Coming Up:, Friday, 10/16, Emma Willard at Emma Willard, 4:15. This ends the regular season, the sectional schedule is to be announced.[/private]