Carle Place falls to Whitney Point in state Class C field hockey final

BUFFALO — It wasn’t the game the Carle Place field hockey team hoped to play.

The Frogs had their season come to a frustrating finish on Sunday, falling 3-0 to Whitney Point in the state Class C championship at Williamsville North High School. Carle Place struggled to get its offense going, a disappointing turn for a team that had been firing on all cylinders throughout the postseason.

“They gave it everything,” coach Briana Rubenstein said. “They have the most heart of any team I’ve ever coached, but the cards didn’t fall our way today.”

Whitney Point set the tone from the opening whistle, spreading the ball out and stretching the Carle Place defense from one side of the field to the other. The Eagles racked up 11 shots and 13 corners, bringing nonstop pressure and taking a 1-0 lead on Amy Stevens’ goal with 15:31 left in the half.

Jennifer Tumino was a bright spot for Carle Place (11-3) in net, recording seven saves in the first half and giving the Frogs a chance to rally.

“She played unbelievable today,” Rubenstein said. “Going into this game, she was really nervous but, you know what, she did everything she could to try and keep us in this game.”

Despite the constant push from Whitney Point, Rubenstein said Carle Place was confident it could overcome the one-goal deficit and hoped to grab some momentum early in the second half.

“It was only 1-0 at that point and I told them it was a new game,” Rubenstein said. “We had to come out and get rid of the nerves. We had to try to fire it up.”

That was easier said than done, however, and Carle Place continued to struggle in the offensive zone. The Frogs recorded only three shots in the game, all in the second half, and were unable to maintain any consistent possession.

Leanne Bough padded the Whitney Point lead with 13:02 left, and again nine minutes later, effectively wrapping up the Eagles’ victory and sending Carle Place home short of its ultimate goal.

The loss was a heartbreaking end to an otherwise strong season for the Frogs, but Rubenstein said she’s hopeful Carle Place will be back in the state tournament next year, looking to capture its first championship since 1990.

“We’re returning some good players,” Rubenstein said. “We’re losing a lot of seniors, but I have faith in this team to get back here.”