Ward Melville falls to Mamaroneck, 1-0, in double OT in state Class A field hockey final
Ward Melville's Hannah Lorenzen (17) sends the ball past Mamaroneck's Megan Mullaney (22) during the state Class A hockey final on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015, at Maine-Endwell High School. Credit: Nick Serrata
The Ward Melville field hockey team had six consecutive penalty corners at the end of the first overtime but couldn't turn shots into goals. Instead, Mamaroneck was the team that broke through as Brigid Knowles scored from down low on a penalty corner with less than three minutes left in the second overtime.
That was the difference in the game as Mamaroneck beat Ward Melville, 1-0, to win the state Class A championship Sunday at Maine-Endwell High School.
Mamaroneck nearly scored on a corner toward the end of the first overtime and Grace Fitzgerald dodged three players for a scoring opportunity minutes later, but Ward Melville mostly controlled the 10-minute period with long stretches of possession and bunches of corners, including two in extended time with the clock at zero.
Charlotte Mackie made impressive saves against the Patriots (18-2) to keep it scoreless, and Mamaroneck (20-1-1) made the most of its chances in the second overtime.
It was a much different speed than regulation, when Ward Melville had the advantage for most of the game behind its two-way play, notably from Shawn Davenport.
"We were all really playing for the win," Davenport said. "I know we didn't get the win, but I know we all won in our hearts. It was just a great experience to come all this way with my best friends."
Davenport led Ward Melville's transition game through the first 10 minutes of play. The senior was tough on defense and distributed the ball up high to start multiple offensive rushes. She also took it up herself on occasion, pulling past defenders before looking to pass.
Mamaroneck had trouble passing and began to lift the ball into the offensive zone instead of using lanes on the ground with about 18 minutes left in the first half. It led to a four-minute attack, which included a corner, but Patriots goalie Emily Hoey made a kick save.
Mamaroneck spent the next 10 minutes winning more battles at midfield but didn't put many shots on goal. Ward Melville took possession for the rest of the first half and carried it over into the second.
The Patriots hardly made any mistakes in the second half and moved well across the field. Davenport was a backstop, allowing Mamaroneck to get close on only a corner at the end of regulation.
"It's a tough loss," Ward Melville coach Shannon Watson said. "I think our girls were a really strong team out there today and unfortunately we had some opportunities we weren't able to capitalize on."
