Paige Schaefer's late goal gives Pierson-Bridgehampton Long Island Class C title
Paige Schaefer is surrounded by celebrating teammates after she scored the winning goal in the second half on an assist from Ava Lantiere in the Long Island Class C field hockey Championship game at the Dowling Sports Complex on Nov. 8, 2015. Credit: Daniel De Mato
Paige Schaefer said she was a ball girl two years ago when the field hockey team at Pierson-Bridgehampton won the Long Island Class C championship.
This time she was the girl with the ball.
Schaefer, a freshman midfielder, swept the ball into the cage on a penalty corner with 3:42 left to give her team a 1-0 win over Carle Place for the Long Island Class C crown Sunday at Dowling.
"I'm very excited about it, all of our hard work has finally paid off," Schaefer said. "Our defense was amazing today and our goalie was phenomenal."
Pierson advances to the state semifinal and will play at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Maine-Endwell High School against an opponent still to be determined.
Carle Place (13-3) had the advantage in possession, but couldn't capitalize on its scoring chances, including what appeared to be a goal with around 10 minutes left in the second.
It wasn't the first close call for the Frogs.
Elissa Frein pulled past a defender for a two-on-one in the first half and her diving shot trickled in, but a penalty corner was awarded instead with 7:30 left in the first half. Carle Place ended the half with four straight corners, but couldn't convert against an aggressive defense from Pierson (10-7).
"We're pretty evenly matched teams and that showed," Pierson coach Bethany Semlear said. "They got more corners than us, but we just had to focus defensively and get the ball out."
Pierson stood out at midfield, specifically the play of Allura Leggard, who forced turnovers and extended offensive rushes with defensive keep-ins.
"The girls played amazing," Semlear said. "They have a tremendous amount of heart. This is my first season and I'm so impressed with them. I have seven players that went to states two years ago, so I have a core group of girls that are experienced."
"They're a great group."
