Ward Melville to meet Mamaroneck in state field hockey final
Ward Melville's team celebrates during the Class A Semifinals on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015. Credit: Nick Serrata
ENDWELL, N.Y. -- Kerri Thornton's full-toothed smile, the kind that forced her eyes to wince, said more than her words could about her penalty corner goal for the Ward Melville field hockey team.
The goal from down low gave the Patriots a lead five minutes into the second half. It was the lone tally of the game, as Ward Melville beat Albany-Shenendehowa in a state Class A semifinal Saturday at Maine-Endwell High School.
"Even if someone else scored, I would have had the same reaction," Thornton said. "I think we just had to capitalize on our opportunities in the first half. I had a lot of shots on goal and needed to finish more. In the second half we started capitalizing and shooting correctly."
Ward Melville plays Mamaroneck for the state Class A championship today at 12:30 p.m.
Ward Melville (18-1) opened with a rush up the right wing, but was unable to sustain an attack for the first 13 minutes. Shenendehowa (18-2) had the advantage during that stretch with play around the circle, but couldn't convert any chances.
The Patriots had four penalty corners in the span of three minutes, but were either denied on shots or lost control of the ball. Shenendehowa had a quality scoring chance on a penalty corner with 10 minutes to go before halftime, and again minutes later from the top of the circle, but both shots went wide.
Shenendehowa was more aggressive to start the second half, but lost momentum when Thornton scored. The team had a late chance to tie on a corner with four minutes remaining, but Ward Melville broke up the play before a shot could be taken.
"They kept the intensity all game and didn't have any letdowns," Ward Melville coach Shannon Watson said. "Shenendehowa was great and tweaked some things the second half, put a lot more pressure on Shawn Davenport, but the rest of our kids were able to step it up and I'm really excited for them."
Among the standouts was Shannon Coughlan, a key player on defensive corners. The Patriots improved across the field as the game went on and Coughlan said that's crucial when the stakes are high.
"Passing, we did really well and were able to push up," Coughlan said. "Defensively, we did a great job of getting back. We knew we had to play as a unit. We did it."
