Trojans roll into Class B state final

CORTLAND, N.Y. -- It was a barrage. It didn't take but 10 minutes to make clear the disparity in athleticism and skill. And not long after that, with the game essentially in hand, Garden City's focus shifted to auxiliary goals. Working on fundamentals. Getting the younger players a taste of the state tournament. Sending a message to the next opponent.

"We wanted to dominate from the get-go," goalie Kelly Weis said. "We wanted to make a statement and get whoever we're facing next a little nervous."

Note to Brighton, the other Class B finalist: Garden City is still Garden City.

Alexandra Bruno, Mikaela Rix and Caroline Tarzian each had four goals and an assist to lead the Trojans in a 15-6 rout of Yorktown on Friday in the girls lacrosse state semifinals. And, quite honestly, it wasn't as close as the score indicates.

Garden City's subs started playing midway through the first half. By then, the Yorktown bench, spirited early on, was silent and seemed dejected. A Bruno goal gave the Trojans an 11-0 lead 7:15 before halftime.

"We played a great game," coach Diane Chapman said. "It started with the defense all the way up top. A complete game."

Garden City (20-0), in pursuit of a sixth straight state championship, will face Brighton at noon Saturday in the final at SUNY-Cortland -- a field they've made their stamping ground. The Trojans beat Brighton in the 2008 final.

SEE PHOTOSGarden City wins Class B state title

"It never gets old," Bruno said wryly, deviating slightly from her usual catchphrase, "It gets better every time."

Rix broke out of her two-game offensive slump. The midfielder scored three of her four goals in the first four minutes. The third, which put Garden City up 4-0, came on a flashy shot from seven yards, fired during a 360 pirouette.

"In the big picture, does it matter if I'm not scoring and we win? No," said Rix, who was held to three points total in the Nassau and Long Island finals. "But I do like to get a couple goals in there. Toward the end of the season, you want to have big games."

Jenna Fuchs had a goal and an assist; Barbara Sullivan and Catherine Dickinson each added a goal, and Erin Mullins made two saves in the second half for Garden City. Lindsay Scott had three goals and Katie Frederick had 13 saves for Yorktown (17-4).

SEE PHOTOSNewsday's best high school photos

"We knew they were a great team and they played like a great team," Huskers coach Ellen Mager said. Yorktown lost to Garden City in the 2009 final. "They've gotten better since. I find their defense phenomenal."

Saturday's game closes chapters on what have been decorated careers for the Trojans' nine seniors, six of whom have been on the team since ninth grade and have known only success. The finality now is what motivates them.

"This is the end," Rix said, "and endings should always come on a high note."

Added Tarzian: "A lot of us have played together for 10 years, and this is it. We don't just want to win; we have to."