Ever since the overtime defeat to Pierson/Bridgehampton in last year’s state Class C final, the Cazenovia field hockey team has put all of its energies into returning to that round and producing a different – and happier – ending.
To do so would require the Lakers to win four road games in the state playoffs, including a regional final at the same venue, Maine-Endwell, to which it will return if it prevails against Section IV champion Whitney Point Saturday night.
The state playoffs began Wednesday at Schuylerville High School, east of Albany, with a game against Section II champion Hoosick Falls that followed a familiar pattern for the Lakers – early struggles, followed by a complete takeover, this time resulting in a 5-0 victory.
By the time they took the field against Hoosick Falls, Cazenovia was the lone Section III team still alive in the state tournament, with Cicero-North Syracuse (Class A) falling to Saratoga 2-1 and Camden (Class B) taking a 3-2 overtime defeat to Burnt Hills/Ballston Lake.
Just as in sectional playoff games against Little Falls and Weedsport Cazenovia would go through a large portion of the first half scoreless against the Panthers, patiently waiting for its explosive attack to break through as five penalty corners in the first 15 minutes were unsuccessful.
But the Lakers maintained the pressure, and midway through the first half Ashlely Kent scored from close range, putting Cazenovia up 1-0. That margin doubled eight minutes later when Kent found the net again.
The most damage, though, was done by the Lakers’ 10th penalty corner right before halftime. Off a feed from Sarah Liddell, Sarah Willard slammed home the shot, and it was 3-0 going to the break.
Less than two minutes into the second half, Liddell again proved generous, finding Rachel McLaughlin for Cazenovia’s fourth goal. Though Hoosick Falls answered with Liz Ryan’s goal off a penalty corner, McLaughlin answered with nine minutes left, again converting a penalty corner with an assist from Willard.
