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First Team

Player, School, Year, Position

Kylie Caesar, Bethlehem Sr., MF

Shirah Fudin, Bethlehem, Sr., Back

Kelsey Souza, Burnt Hills, Sr., Back

Beth Meyers, Guilderland, Sr., GK

Kate Farley, Niskayuna, Sr., F

Kelsey Leder, Niskayuna, Sr., MF

Lindsay Mayo, Niskayuna, Sr., MF

Alicia Aragosa, Niskayuna, Sr., F

Ellen Kolman, Niskayuna, Sr., Back

Celia D’Agostino, Saratoga, So., F

Meredith Farley, Saratoga, Sr., GK

Carly Fuller, Saratoga, Sr., F

Morgan Powell, Saratoga, Sr., MF

Cate Degen, Shaker, Sr., Sweeper

Hope Andrascik, Shenendehowa, So., F

Caroline Klimowski, Shenendehowa, Jr., Sweeper

Megan Rogers, Shenendehowa, Jr., F

Second Team

Alyssa Smith, Bethlehem, Sr., F

Cameron Caesar, Bethlehem, Sr., F

Kaylee Herzog, Bethlehem, Sr., Back

Megan Usher, Burnt Hills, Sr., MF

Ashley Anderson, Columbia, So., Back

Kari Balogh, Guilderland, Jr., MF

Kelsey Michele, Guilderland, So., Sweeper

Shannon Pfohl, Niskayuna, Sr., Back

Ritchie Assini, Niskayuna, So., MF

Amy Marshall, Saratoga, Sr., MF

Mackenzie Knight, Saratoga, Sr., F

Hannah Palmateer, Saratoga, Sr., Sweeper

Rayne Rappazzo, Shaker, Jr., MF

Stephanie Milnarik, Shaker, Sr., F

Kiersten Raceia, Shaker, Sr., Back

Mary Kate Cusack, Shenendehowa, So., MF

Courtney Howard, Shenendehowa, Jr., MF

Honorable Mention

Rosie McKee, Bethlehem, Sr., Back

Meghan Burns, Bethlehem, Jr., F

Chelsea Gieryic, Bethlehem, Sr., MF

Maria Livolsi, Columbia, Jr., MF

Jacqueline Millard, Columbia, Jr., MF

Courtney Durivage, Columbia, Fr., MF

Rachel Weston, Guilderland, Jr., MF

Gianna Pennachia, Guilderland, Jr., Back

Mel Hewitt, Niskayuna, Sr., F

Julia Kosineski, Niskayuna, Sr., F

Katie Hurley, Saratoga, Jr., MF

First Team

Karly Vdoviak, Johnstown, Sr., F

Kendra Cooper, Johnstown, Sr., F

Mary Jane Carville, Johnstown, Sr., F

Alyssa Brand, Johnstown, Jr., M

Kate Gillespie, Glens Falls, So., M

Emily White, Glens Falls, So, M

Brittany Daniels, Glens Falls, Sr., G

Pauline Searles, Glens Falls, Jr., F

Melanie Middleton, Queensbury, Sr., D

Megan Fish, Queensbury, Sr., D

Katelyn Edwards, Queensbury, Sr., D

Liz Baldwin, South Glens Falls, Jr., D

Heather Casey, South Glens Falls, Jr., F

Erin Connelly, Scotia, Sr., F

Breanne Sprague, Hudson Falls, Sr., M

Victoria Bluvas, Gloversville, Sr., F

Second Team

Kayla Satterlee, Johnstown, Jr., F

Abigail Heroth, Johnstown, Jr., M

Gabby D’Antonio, Johnstown, Sr., M

Carly Brunco, Johnstown, Sr., D

Chelsea Paniccia, Glens Falls, Sr., D

Shea Homer, Glens Falls, Fr., M

Kiley Sullivan, Glens Falls, So., F

Hannah Hayward, Glens Falls, So., F

Amy Scicutella, Queensbury, Sr., F

Ally Corlew, Queensbury, Sr., F

Jacklyn Atkins, South Glens Falls, Jr., F

Jenna Manney, South Glens Falls, Sr., D

Cathy Kennedy, Scotia, Jr., F

Erica French, Hudson Falls, Jr., D

Ashley Dona, Gloversville, Fr., F

Honorable Mention

Shauna Rankin-Byrne, Glens Falls, Fr., F

Ayla Homer, Glens Falls, Sr., D

Ellie Gonyeau, Hudson Falls, Fr., D

Karleigh LaPan, Hudson Falls, So., F

Micaele Heil, Hudson Falls, So., M

Viv Panetta, Johnstown, Sr., D

Katherine Bant, Johnstown, Jr., D

Ashley Talbot, South Glens Falls, So., M

Liz Straussburg, South Glens Falls, So., F

Taylor Mancini, South Glens Falls, Sr., M

Laura St. Andrews, Queensbury, Sr., M

Caitlin Roberts, Queensbury, Sr., F

Ali Gazetos, Queensbury, Sr., M

Arika Adams, Scotia, Sr., G

Grace Cavoli, Scotia, Sr., D

Sue Caccavale, Scotia, Sr., D

Kelly Kapusta, Scotia, Sr., M

Christine Iannoti, Gloversville, Jr., M

The Glens Falls Indians ran into a juggernaut Wednesday, falling to Lakeland (Section I), 5-0, in a Class B state regional semifinal.

It was only 1-0 at halftime, and the Indians did a nice job of hanging with the powerful Hornets, but in the end, talent (especially stick skills) prevailed. Goalkeeper Brittany Daniels and the defenders did a magnificent job of keeping Lakeland to just 5 goals.

This was a valuable learning experience for the oh-very-young Indians, who exceeded expectations by winning the Section II title. They lose only three players and certainly will be the team to watch the next couple of years.

In Class C, congratulations to Hoosick Falls, which advanced to the regional finals with a 1-0 win over Bronxville. Lacey LaCroix scored on a Samantha Skott assist on a breakaway/flurry in front of the goal.

According to HF coach Denise Campbell, goalie Frankie Pearson and the defense came up huge (I don’t have to pay Billy Fucillo royalties for that word, do I?)

Good luck to the Panthers in their game Saturday against Pine Plains. Campbell said they may try to get the scheduled game time of 4 p.m. moved up so they can see the school’s football game that night, but noted they are prepared to honor the 4 p.m. time if asked to.

First Team

Granville — Darian Chapman, Kayla Daigle, Alyssa Martel

Greenwich — Kate Andrews, DaniDeGregory, Jasmine Woodard, Meg Dusha

Hoosick Falls — Marissa Davendonis, Karley Morin, Samantha Skott, Amanda Vitro

Salem — Kora Andrew, Hailie McLenithan

Schuylerville — Faith Mannix, Heather Quirk, Jamie Zwirn

Second Team

Granville — Cassie Goodspeed, Sarah Bixby, Amber Goff

Greenwich — Kathleen Isgro, Sam Linnett, Abby Dusha, Monica Dore

Hoosick Falls — Meaghan Douglass, Melody Mentiply, Frankie Pearson, Rachel Quackenbush

Salem — Magill Woodruff, Ashley Jameson

Schuylerville — Bianca Cappiello, Katie Donovan, Chelsea Gravelle

Honorable Mention

Granville — Nikki Hunt, Kayla Wheeler

Greenwich — Mel Steinberg, Isabelle Sipperly

Hoosick Falls — Lacey LaCroix, Andrea Niles

Salem — Audra Arnold, Meghan Lourie

Schuylerville — Taylor Fields, Alex Gaertner

First Team

Corinth — Allison Steen, Sr., FB; Celeste White, Sr., GK; Kelly Sandwick, Sr., F

Johnsburg — Kelly Blackhurst, Sr., F; Kelsey Williford, Sr., MF; Emily Burns, Sr., LW; Sam Burns, Sr., MF; Keri Cleveland, Sr., F; Margaret Welz, Sr., D

Lake George — Katelyn Callahan, Sr., MF; Jenna Bechard, Jr., F; Katrina Briggs, Sr., B, F; Taylor Dawson, Sr., F; Chelsea Obarowski, Sr., GK

North Warren — Sarah Erickson, Sr.,  GK; Jenna Remington, Sr., F; Kelsey Hamblin, Sr., D

Warrensburg — Abby Roth, Sr., MF, F; Drew Lamy, Sr., GK; Taylor Galusha, Sr., D; Whitney Galusha, Sr., D

Second Team

Corinth — Nicole Bovee, Carissa Green

Johnsburg — Cassandra Prouty, Hailey West, Johanna Harvey

Lake George — Erika LaPlante

North Warren — Annie Bennett, Kiera Warner

Warrensburg — Juliet Needham, Rachel Simkins

Honorable Mention

Corinth — Emily Marcotte, Emily Wood

Johnsburg — Cortina Greene, Stephanie Ovitt, Brittney Allard

Lake George — Makayla Byrne, Sarah Phillips

North Warren — Margo Broderick, Laura Fahey

Warrensburg — Kate Kuklinski, Hayley Correia, Holly Gheen

Will Springstead drew the early-morning assignment of cross country, so I got to hang out at Shen and watch field hockey all day. Not bad work if you can get it.

For my game stories, click here and here. Below are some random thoughts from the day. Excuse my wordiness, it’s fun to be back.

– Something hit me while I was watching the Glens Falls/Johnstown game. Sophomore-laden teams play this sport best. I’m only half-kidding. Think back to Warrensburg’s state finalist team in 2007: sophomores Abby Roth and Drew Lamy playing out of their mind. Johnsburg, with Kelly Blackhurst as a sophomore that year, arguably were as good as ever. Emily White, Kate Gillespie and company for Glens Falls this year. Dani DeGregory for Greenwich this year.

I’m exaggerating a bit. All of those teams had key seniors. But sometimes heavy expectations weigh on seniors. Some of the senior-heavy teams we expected a lot from don’t always live up to expectations.

As sophomores, these girls are fearless and just play. They don’t know what they’re not supposed to do. I think there’s at least a grain of truth of there.  The moral of the story? Win when you can. Never know if you’re going back.

– Johnstown: nothing to hang your head about. Double OT, everyone’s tired, those games can go either way. Bills may have wanted more, but over past two seasons have re-established their tradition as an area power.

– The quality of play in the C/CC game was striking. Usually as you go down in class, you see a drop in the speed of the game. Not here. And I wasn’t the only one saying it.

Greenwich’s  DeGregory, amazingly still a sophomore, has the hardest shot of anyone I’ve covered. Period. Teammate Kate Andrews and Hoosick Falls’ Samantha Skott let loose with some rockets, too.

Neither of these teams would have embarrassed themselves in Class B.

– I know I’m hardly breaking new ground here, but DeGregory has a chance to be an all-timer as far as female athletes from this area. Between her three sports, I’m going to go out on a limb and say when she’s done she will have broken Jimmer Fredette and Brendan Harris’ record of most Post-Star Player of the Year awards.  She has a Division I body already. She reminds me physically of my good friend and old colleague Kate Fagan, who came from Niskayuna and played basketball at Colorado and professionally. Neither are the tallest — but strong. I’ve lost enough one-on-one games with Kate to tell you that. I’m pretty sure DeGregory would clean my clock too.

– Hoosick Falls has the best Web site going anywhere. Their records made it easy to check out Samantha Skott chasing coach Denise Campbell for the single-season scoring record. Kudos to whoever keeps it up. Click here to give it a look. The pride in their tradition really comes through.

– I feel like the black cat for Greenwich field hockey. Would you believe that going back to 2007, I’ve never been there for a win?

– Shen is a good site for these finals. The field is good, there’s plenty of parking, and I think it’s closer for most teams.  For the media, I like that there’s a roomy pressbox and free internet (Panera) close by. Skidmore was my favorite, but this isn’t bad.

– Speaking of that, now that Glens Falls and South Glens Falls have lights, wouldn’t they make sense as a location too? Particularly for the C and CC final — those schools are generally closer to Glens Falls.

– The refs have taken some heat on the blog this week. It’s only fair to point out that in the two games I saw today, the officials were excellent. Got it right on a tough goal-disallow call against Hoosick Falls. And hey, they let me hang out in their pressbox and get warm. What else can I ask for?

– Thanks to Johnsburg coach and my North Country clothing advisor Jill Toney for the hand warmers. One of these years I’ll figure it out, Jill, I promise.

– Is it a rule that the field hockey finals have to be the dawn of winter? I was talking about this with another reporter. It’s NEVER nice. Three straight years I came home and turned my heat on for the first time of the season.

So what did you all see Friday?

And a reminder, check out my new Phantoms site, or follow me on Twitter.

– Tim

At the half, shots were 2-2, but Greenwich enjoyed a 7-2 penalty corner advantage and dominated play.

2ND HALF: Greenwich 1, Hoosick Falls 0. Two minutes into the half, Dani DeGregory got to a loose ball and blasted a shot in from about 10 yards out.

20 mins. left: Greenwich 1, Hoo. Falls 1. Samantha Skott scores from Lacey LaCroix.

17:30 left: Greenwich 2, Hoo. Falls 1. Katie Andrews scores from DeGregory.

15:15 left: Skott ties it for the Panthers.

2:44 left: Karly Morin scores the deciding goal for Hoosick Falls.

Lindsay Mayo scored the first goal for Niskayuna off a penalty corner. Nisky’s had the advantage, except for a couple of spurts, for most of the half.

Mayo scores again approx. 30 seconds into second half.

Don’t have the update on Saratoga goal.

Kate Gillespie scored on a rebound in the second OT to give Glens Falls its second straight sectional title and its fourth in the last five years.

More later.

For just the second time all season, I got to escape for a nice afternoon of field hockey on Thursday. And it wasn’t even bitter cold.

I see that no matter how long I’m away, some things never change — Saratoga has a strong team. Depending on what Glens Falls does this weekend, no team has a better resume over the three years since I’ve been at The Post-Star. Think about it: three straight sectional finals and a state final four.

Saratoga has advantages as a big school, but not every large school returns to that high level year-after-year. I think this year the Streaks brought back just four starters. The one constant of all those Saratoga teams has been defense, and I think that’s why they’ve maintained such quality. Saratoga doesn’t always overwhelm you with their offense, but they defend passionately, and that’s what wins this time of the year.

Their current streak is amazing: they haven’t allowed a goal since in the seven games they’ve played since Oct. 7.  The  2007 state team gave up two goals in the same seven game span (and lost a game 1-0 in strokes). Anytime you can stack up favorably with that team you’re doing alright.

Talked a lot in the game story about Meredith Farley. Fun watching her grow up from when she was a backup in 2007. She was strong last year, but I think the difference Tuesday was her aggressiveness. She’s a good athlete and she had the confidence to come way out to make some tough saves. Not sure she would have made those last year.

Always fun to watch Morgan Powell, too. Just a controlling player when she gets the ball. Not sure anyone has the total combination of skills she has this year.

If Saratoga can defend the way it has and get some grind-it-out, stuff-in-the-rebound kind of goals they got from Tori Wilson today, the Streaks will be a hard out — whether it’s in the final or farther down the road.

– Tim