Maybe it was a new lineup on the field, bur it was the same quality of play for the Baldwinsville field hockey team which has led to three of the last four Section III Class A titles.
The Bees’ 2020 season, in doubt for so long, finally arrived Friday night with a special performance from senior forward Paige Morrissey, whose hat trick was the feature of a 4-1 victory over East Syracuse Minoa.
That B’ville was so effective at the outset was, partially, a result of the development of so many young players at all levels, along with 16 days of practice before it took the field for real.
Still, there was a lot of talent gone from 2019. From forwards Emma Brushingham and Sarah Dusse to midfielders Leah Tuch, Kendall Carni and Bailey Nicholson to defenders Mackenzie Dickman, Maren Roy and Julia Guidone and goalie Sarah Smiley, all had to be replaced.
Even with all of their practice work, game action proved uneven for the Bees at first against ESM as it muddled through a scoreless first quarter.
All of that changed 53 seconds into the second period when Morrissey found space on a fast break and, taking a feed from Becca Mantione, put a shot past Spartans goalie Maura Leib.
It remained 1-0 until early in the third quarter. Having not converted on penalty corners, B’ville again succeeded on a fast break, again with Morrissey finding the net off a deft pass from Emma Dugan.
Heavy pressure continued for the Bees until Morrissey, with 11:49 to play, again got loose near the net and, with Mantione again getting the assist, earned her third goal.
ESM did break up the shutout thanks to Rileigh White’s goal three minutes later, and threatened to pull within one in the waning minutes before a point-blank save by Cara Vredenburg on a shot from Abby Herrington. Sydney Huhtala then netted a goal with 30.7 seconds left.
This sets up a big early-season clash Tuesday at Bragman Stadium between B’ville and Cicero-North Syracuse, who has started 4-0 without allowing a single goal. Then B’ville hosts Fayetteville-Manlius on Thursday and has added a game next Saturday at Cazenovia.
