Olivia McKenna lifts Northport to its second straight state crown
Northport went 23-0 to wrap up the New York State Class A field hockey championship with a 2-1 victory over Cicero-North Syracuse on Sunday at Centereach. Credit: Bob Sorensen
The Northport field hockey team completed its perfect season in dramatic fashion.
Olivia McKenna scored the winning goal on a penalty stroke in overtime to lift the Tigers to a 2-1 victory over Cicero-North Syracuse in the Class A state championship final at Centereach High School on Sunday. The goal capped Northport's second straight state crown and a 23-0 season.
“I knew what I had to do," McKenna said, "and I was going to finish."
It was the second straight season that McKenna provided the heroics in the state final. She scored the lone goal in last season's victory over Shenendehowa. McKenna's overtime goal was her sixth goal of the playoffs, and she finished her senior season with 42 goals and 14 assists.
“Everything we’ve done as a team to get to this point has come from hard work and dedication to the game,” McKenna said. “I can’t say our achievements are undeserved.”
McKenna assisted on the first goal with 5:26 left in the third quarter when she dribbled down the field and sent a centering pass to Julia Cavallo, who gave the Tigers a 1-0 lead.
Cicero-North Syracuse (16-3) answered quickly when Maria Wozniczka sent a cross from Christina Wagner into the net off a penalty corner to tie the score just over a minute later.
Northport dominated possession for the remainder of regulation but could not score against C-NS goalie Avery Richardson, who made 23 saves.
Northport's defense was equally strong behind senior defender Brooke Dalton-Vafeades, who rarely let the ball slip into Northport territory. When it did, goalie Natalie McKenna (Olivia's twin sister) was there as the last line of defense.
“Thankfully, we play against a phenomenal keeper in practice every day,” Northport coach Gina Walling said of Natalie McKenna.
Natalie McKenna made three pivotal saves to keep the Tigers on top and she finished the season with 58 total saves.
“I have the best practice partner in my own backyard,” Olivia McKenna said of her sister.
The McKenna sisters, who will continue playing together in college at UConn, have helped build a winning legacy at Northport.
"This team is just special," Walling said. "They’ve stayed humble and hungry throughout the season, refusing to succumb to the pressure they’ve faced in these past two games. I’m proud of every one of them.”
