CENTRAL NEW YORK – Though it might not carry the same aura of domination it held in 2021, the Baldwinsville field hockey team still had to feel good about its state of play heading into this year’s edition of the Section III Class A playoffs.
And if the Bees weren’t in a good mood, what transpired last Wednesday night, both in its own presence and elsewhere, may have helped.
When it went to Fayetteville-Manlius, B’ville had to battle hard again, but prevailed 3-2 over a Hornets side it beat 1-0 when they met at the start of October.
The rematch had Julia Schultz at the forefront for the Bees, not only getting a goal, but assisting on both of her team’s other scoring plays as Bridget Roy and Abby Mantione converted.
Unlike that initial meeting, F-M was able to break through against B’ville’s defense thanks to goals by Ella Herber and Madison Kirkpatrick, but Casey Gee made 12 saves to keep her side in front as Hornets counterpart Kaleigh Hamilton had 10 saves.
That same night, undefeated Cicero-North Syracuse was stunned 1-0 by Liverpool, the first loss the Northstars had taken this season against a sub-.500 Warriors side that needed to win just to qualify for the sectional playoffs.
Before all this, the Bees’ attack was showing some serious potency, netting eight goals in an Oct. 8 win over Cortland and then producing a lot again two days later when it beat Little Falls 6-3.
To its credit, the Mounties were quite productive, netting goals in three of the four quarters as Makayla Mowers scored twice and Kaitlyn Herringshaw also converted.
B’ville still had too much, though, breaking out of a 1-1 tie by scoring twice in the second period, the only time Little Falls got shut out, and then not letting the visitors get closer.
Roy and Schultz each picked up two goals and one assist. Kally Nadzan and Skye Exware also converted, with Ella Holtman and Erin Gee getting one assist apiece.
Closing the regular season on a strong note, B’ville blanked Auburn 4-0 on Saturday afternoon, with Roy at the forefront.
All that Roy did was notch a three-goal hat trick and assist on the Bees’ other tally, by Olivia Harkola (her first of the season). Erin Gee added an assist as the Bees improved to 12-4 overall.
But with six teams qualifying for the sectional playoffs and B’ville the no. 3 seed, it needs to beat no. 6 seed Auburn Thursday night in order to reach a semifinal Sunday at Vernon-Verona-Sherrill against Rome Free Academy, who holds the no. 2 seed.
