COLONIE — The Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake field hockey crew has gotten simply what it anticipated in the second one part of its excursion during the Suburban Council, and that’s harder video games from stepped forward foes.
Guilderland used to be the most recent opponent to show its enlargement, like different conventional Section II powers Shenendehowa and Saratoga Springs had prior to, and the most recent opponent that the Spartans discovered a strategy to defeat.
“We have to expect teams to be better,” Burnt Hill sophomore Maggie Lansley mentioned after the Spartans edged the Dutchmen 1-0 Friday at Afrim’s Sports Park.
Burnt Hills had crushed Guilderland 6-1 in an previous assembly in mid-September, and whilst the Spartans had a couple of extra alternatives to attain than the Dutchmen in Friday’s rematch, it used to be most commonly a defensive slugfest between groups that in a while will set their attractions on Section II championships.
Lansley equipped the sport’s most effective function with simply over 4 mins left within the first quarter from shut vary, and for far of the rest of the competition the Spartans and Dutchmen traded hits and forestalls between the 25s.
“We lost to them 6-1 the first time,” Guilderland trainer Jen Sykes mentioned of the reigning state Class B champion Spartans. “I think definitely going to Pennsylvania for the MAX Field Hockey tournament [in late September] and playing some great teams there helped with our ascent. We’re starting to really connect well. Seeing that competition was good for us.”
Burnt Hills beat Shenendehowa early within the season 7-0, whilst the rematch noticed the Spartans be triumphant 1-0 in additional time. After beating Saratoga 4-1, the Spartans took the second one sport 3-0.
“I’ve told my girls we’ve got to play our best game every day,” Burnt Hills trainer Kelly Vrooman mentioned. “Every time we step on the field. At this point, it’s mental focus. We’re fit, and we know our plays. We have to have the right mindset.”
After shedding to New Jersey groups Rancocas Valley (3-1) and Blair Academy (4-1) on the MAX Field Hockey tournament, Guilderland (8-3, 8-5) gained 4 immediately within the Suburban Council as a prelude to Friday’s contest with the unbeaten Spartans (11-0, 12-1).
“That tournament showed us how good we can be,” Guilderland goalkeeper Sofia Cannistraci mentioned. “It showed that we can do a lot. It boosted our confidence.”
Vrooman used to be inspired with Cannistraci, a senior who made 8 saves, together with a stretched-out foot forestall on a third-quarter pressure by way of Burnt Hills scoring chief Caroline Kogut.
“She had some great saves,” Vrooman mentioned. “She was really good. Their defense was really good.”
Burnt Hills were given its function on the tail finish of its first penalty nook, with Cannistraci creating a save prior to Lansley treated a proper to left go from Maddy Connelie and scored.
Guilderland effectively defended six penalty corners after that, with Dutchmen flyer Skyler VanWormer main the hassle.
“Lately, we’ve been a little more rushed and we have not been capitalizing on them,” Lansley, a midfielder, mentioned of the penalty corners which have been a Burnt Hills power. “We’ve got to be quicker in the circle and be smarter.”
Kogut had every other alternative to increase Burnt Hills’ lead within the fourth quarter when, on every other penalty nook, the famous person junior whistled a shot simply extensive left of the cage. Kogut had scored the additional time function on a penalty nook Tuesday when the Spartans posted that 1-0 win over Shenendehowa.
“I’m really proud of how we defended the limited opportunities we gave them,” Sykes mentioned of Burnt Hills’ penalty corners.
Guilderland used to be awarded two corners, and Burnt Hills netminder Katherine Jensen made two saves.
Burnt Hills has two video games with Niskayuna and every other with Bethlehem to finish its league time table prior to making an attempt to earn its tenth consecutive Section II Class B championship in a field that incorporates Foothills Council chief South Glens Falls. Burnt Hills already owns a 5-2 win in opposition to Bethlehem.
“We’ve got a lot to play for,” Vrooman mentioned. “There’s the league, and we’re fighting for the No. 1 seed for the playoffs.”
Burnt Hills’ lone loss got here in opposition to Moorestown of New Jersey (4-3 additional time) on the MAX Field Hockey National Invitational, whilst the Spartans additionally posted a win there in opposition to Ann Arbor Skyline of Michigan (3-2).
“I tell all of them when you work really hard, it works,” Vrooman mentioned of the hassle she is in search of as her Spartans close to postseason festival. “We can’t give up working.”
Burnt Hills 1 0 0 0 — 1
Guilderland 0 0 0 0 — 0
Burnt Hills scoring: M. Lansley 1-0, Connelie 0-1. Guilderland scoring: None. Goalies: Burnt Hills, Jensen, 2 saves. Guilderland, Cannistraci, 8 saves.
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