Section 1 champion Lakeland continued its quest for a 14th state championship with a 3-2 victory against Section 8 champion Manhasset in a Class B regional championship game at Brewster High School Sunday.
The win puts the Hornets in a state semifinal at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14 at Arlington High School against Section 4 champion Vestal, the 2022 and 2023 Class B state champions. Should the Hornets win, they would play in the state championship game, also at Arlington, at 3 p.m. the following day.
That would be against the winner of the other Saturday semifinal between Section 5 champion Pittsford Sutherland and Section 2 champion Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake.
“Winning a regional title means so much to me, especially because the last time we won regionals was in 2024, when I had the opportunity to play alongside my older sister Gabby,” said Lakeland senior captain Gianna Santini. “That was such a great experience, and I’m so happy to be back in this position and have another opportunity to compete at states. Having the chance to play for a 14th state title is something really special. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished so far, and I’m excited to see what we can do as a team at states.”
Lakeland’s last visit to the state title game was in 2024, when it lost to Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake 3-0 at Arlington. The Hornets last state championship came in 2019, when they defeated Section 8 champion Garden City 2-0 to win itheir 10th state title in 11 years, at Williamsville High School.
The Hornets won nine straight state titles from 2009 to 2017.
Lakeland junior captain Aditi Parambath scored the game’s first goal on a penalty stroke in the opening quarter.
“I was telling myself to calm down, no matter if I missed or made it I would still have another 50 minutes to play and have more chances,” Parambath said. “It was so amazing to get that because I feel like it got our team even more hype for the rest of the game and it also made us have a higher hand for the rest of the half.”
Hornet junior captain Meaghan Heyde, off a corner, doubled the Hornets advantage to 2-0 in the second quarter, courtesy of an assist by Santini.
“I inserted it to Gianna and got a deflection at far post which made it go in,” Heyde said. “It honestly felt so good, at practice we work on these countless times and to finally showcase it in a game proves that what we take from practice really shows up on the field. Not only was it just a regular goal to me but it be assisted by Gianna who I’ve been playing side by side with for countless years made it even more special considering it was a regional final game.”
After Manhasset scored in the third quarter off a corner, Santini scored off a corner in the fourth quarter, assisted by Heyde.
“I received the ball at the top of the circle and took a straight shot that went in near post,” Santini said. “It felt really good to score, especially because it put us up 3-1. I think the goal also helped bring up our team’s energy and gave us a sense of relief and confidence. It helped us feel more calm and comfortable as we continued to finish out the game.”
Manhasset scored halfway through the fourth quarter on a corner to cut Lakeland’s lead to 3-2. The Hornets battled defensively and stopped a Manhasset corner with no time remaining to seal the victory.
Olivia O'Connor tallied four saves in goal for Lakeland.
Lakeland (19-2-1) won its regional semifinal 9-0 against Section 9 champion Our Lady of Lourdes on Nov. 4 at Pawling High School, led by Santini (3G, 2A), Heyde (3A), Riley Waters (2G), Allie Waters (2G), Parambath (1G, 1A), and Gabby Goldstein (1G, 1A) offensively, with O’Connor and Ali Castro sharing the shutout in goal.
Yorktown (17-4) fell in a Class B regional final on Saturday in a 3-1 loss in an overtime shootout against Vestal, after a 2-2 tie in regulation, at Tioga High School.
Trailing 2-0, the Huskers’ Ava Ryan scored early in the fourth quarter, off an assist from Lily Diaz on a corner. Diaz, unassisted, tied the game at 2-2 with 9:10 left in the quarter.
“Initially, one of the Vestal girls was dribbling the ball around the middle of the field,” Diaz said. “I was fortunate enough to meet Ava Ryan in the middle and double on defense with her. I managed to pop the ball out and take it away from her, heading straight for their goal. I diligently listened to my coaches’ (Brit Paulus, assistant coach) directions from the sidelines and followed her instructions as I moved on the field.”
When Diaz was met by Vestal goalkeeper Mia Jolie Fey diving toward her, she knew it was do or die, so she took her shot.
“Tears of joy filled my eyes as I watched the ball cross into the goal,” Diaz said. “My teammates rushed towards me, and I couldn’t help but feel even more emotional. Throughout each game, I’ve been enabled by the talent of my coaches and teammates, so it was fitting that this moment would occur again on this final stage.”
Sam Conboy made four saves for Yorktown.
Despite the loss, it was a season to remember for Yorktown, the best in program history. The Huskers’ trips to the sectional and regional finals this season were both program firsts.
“Being a part of this Yorktown field hockey community has been an incredible experience for me each year,” Diaz said. “However, this year, our team’s natural ability to see and work together set us up for success. That connection extends beyond the field, we spent countless hours laughing and joking together outside of the sport.”
Diaz said this Husker team meant the world to her because of its remarkable success this season and its history-making achievements.
“Beyond that, we’ve made history for ourselves through the time we’ve spent together, making this experience incredibly fulfilling,” Diaz said. “I am beyond grateful to the entire Yorktown community for their unwavering encouragement throughout this season. As we continued to break traditions and make more history, it was my highest privilege and honor to wear the Yorktown jersey, representing the people and community that holds the utmost significance for me.”
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