Matthers drives Pierson-Bridgehampton to 'C' title
Pierson freshman Katherine Matthers, left, gets a hug from teammate Kirra McGowin after their team's 2-0 win over Friends Academy in the Class C Long Island Championship at C.W. Post. Matthers scored both of Pierson-Bridgehampton's goals in the second half. (Nov. 14, 2010) Credit: James Escher
With 3:30 remaining, the chants of "Katherine Matthers" rang out from the bleachers at C.W. Post. And why not? The freshman had just scored her second goal - of the contest and her career - to secure the win for Pierson-Bridgehampton and punch the Whalers' first ticket upstate since 2002.
Matthers, a defender, was the only offense as her team topped Friends Academy, 2-0, Sunday for the Long Island Class C field hockey championship. The Whalers (12-7) will face Barker in the state semifinals Friday at Cicero-North Syracuse High School.
"I think the adrenaline is still running through my body," Matthers said several minutes after the postgame ceremonies. "I was visualizing scoring before the game, and it happened."
It was only her second time playing midfield. The sweeper - "who's saved us plenty of goals," coach Shannon Judge said - has been getting worked into the offense during practice recently and Sunday, she was unleashed.
The Whalers' 10th penalty corner had been cleared and the Quakers (13-3-1) gained possession, but Lindsay Warne crept up behind the ballhandler, made the steal and slipped a quick pass to Matthers. Matthers drove a few yards to her right to create space, then sent a low liner, about a foot off the ground, humming into the center of the goal with 22:44 remaining.
"She got switched out of her position and did more than anyone could've hoped," Warne said of Matthers, who notched the insurance goal with 3:30 to go.
Matthers took a cross from Alexa Lantiere and, from about 5 feet out, squibbed a slow-roller that sneaked inside the left post.
The Quakers' best scoring opportunity came on a penalty stroke with 12:26 remaining. Defender Danielle Leggard stopped a would-be empty-netter but fell on the ball, causing the foul. The stroke, however, clanged off the right post.
"Wow, that was nerve-racking," said goalie Catherine Musnicki, who had seven saves. "I was really, really lucky. It's been a lucky year."
Perhaps. If so, they may have been owed some good fortune. The Whalers' previous two seasons ended with overtime losses in the Suffolk final.
"I'm so happy," Warne, a senior captain, said. "I can't even verbalize it."
Well, that too could be left to the newbie. "We're going to go to states and win it all," Matthers said. "We're going to excite the town."
