Sachem East loses, 5-0, in state Class A field hockey final
Sachem East's Cara Trombetta, right, pressures Mamaroneck's Elizabeth Seid during the Class A NYSPHSAA field hockey finals at Maine-Endwell, on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2014. Credit: Thomas LaBarbera
Cara Trombetta summed up Sachem East field hockey's season in five words: "Nothing to be ashamed of."
The Flaming Arrows graduated several key players from last year's team, but this year's bunch made it all the way back to the state Class A final.
For the first time all year, Sachem East (20-1) was overmatched. Mamaroneck (21-1) pounced early and often en route to a 5-0 win Sunday at Maine-Endwell High School.
"We had a great season," Trombetta said. "It was a different experience. We were a brand-new team. A lot of people doubted us at first, and we proved a lot of people wrong."
Sachem East defeated Mamaroneck, 3-2, in regional play last year. Coach Tina Moon said she expected the Tigers to be a tough opponent in the final because last year's team featured a solid core of juniors.
"Losing to a team of this caliber, I'm OK with it," she said. "We're state finalists. Oh, well. You know what I mean? I'm very proud of my girls."
Mamaroneck dominated possession in the first 20 minutes. The Tigers earned eight penalty corners and opened a 2-0 lead with 12:48 left in the half.
Elizabeth Seid set up the Tigers' first goal, taking the ball down the center of the field and finding a streaking Elizabeth Clarke. Clarke had plenty of room to operate, and she scored 12 minutes in.
Sachem East already had withstood six penalty corners, with Desteny Holder making a few nice saves.
Holder, who had five saves, did not have enough time to react on the Tigers' second goal, a shot by Seid deflected up and into the top left post. Gracie Fitzgerald had the assist.
Sachem East had allowed two goals in a game just once this season, a 3-2 win over Northport on Sept. 12.
Fitzgerald tacked on two more goals and another assist in the second half to seal it.
