SARATOGA SPRINGS — The march to the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Final Four has not come easy for the Saratoga Springs field hockey team.
The Section II Class A champions have battled from behind, overcoming one-goal deficits heading into halftime in back-to-back regional games.
But the Blue Streaks (18-3) are one win away from returning to the state final for the first time since 2004 and they will have to get past the program that beat Saratoga Springs, 1-0, 11 years ago—Section I representative Mamaroneck (19-1).
Blue Streaks head coach Jo-Anne Hostig has been at the helm of the varsity field hockey team for 17 years, with this being her third state Final Four appearance (2007).
“They definitely have been working hard,” said Hostig of her team. “I think they realized that the goals we set out—if we have something we want to strive for and do, we can do it. We’ve been pushing ourselves even more in the second half if we’re behind or even if we are ahead. As a collective whole, they decided what they wanted from the beginning. When one is down, another will pick up for them. I’ve got depth in my bench and that certainly helps. It’s a collectiveness of a lot of things of us just being able to play so well together. It’s been their flexibility and their willingness to want to do well is what is moving us forward.”
Last Saturday, Nov. 8, Saratoga found themselves down 1-0 at halftime to Maine-Endwell (Section IV)…at Maine-Endwell.
“That was the hard part, but I kind of related it to going into Shen and playing on their home turf,” Hostig said.
Just like when the Blue Streaks surpassed Shenendehowa and won the section for the first time in seven years with a 1-0 win, Saratoga Springs stepped up to the challenge in the regional final.
The Streaks scored three unanswered goals for the win, and they didn’t wait long to get the ball rolling. Junior forward Marissa Larkin scored less than two minutes into the half off a corner opportunity to tie the game before senior forward Carley Barnes knocked home the go-ahead goal, and the eventual game-winner, with 14:24 on the clock.
With under a minute left in the game, sophomore forward Maggie Conway put the nail in the coffin with a score to secure the Final Four berth.
“When we get scored upon it seems to fuel us to do even better and work harder,” said Hostig, who added there was a conscious effort to earn more opportunities from the corner and within the offensive-25. “It’s happened in the last two games. We had a talk at halftime as far as what we needed to change. We wanted to get on the board quick, and within two minutes of the second half we actually did that.”
Having three different players find the back of the goal doesn’t come as much as a surprise for this year’s Streaks, as 10 different players have scored for the senior-laden and balanced team throughout the season.
“It’s a good thing, later in the season, to see that it doesn’t matter who scores as long as someone puts it in,” Hostig said. “We’re all looking for the open player.”
In the sub-regional matchup against Cicero-North Syracuse (Section III), the Blue Streaks were also down 1-0 to start the second half before coming out on top 2-1.
Barnes had the late go-ahead goal in that game as well.
“She’s matured a lot along the way,” Hostig said about Barnes, who moved from playing defense last year to a forward this year. “She’s been learning the new role and she’s probably scored in the last five games that we’ve had. She’s willing to look for the open player, just like all our forwards are, which is one of our assets. If they don’t have a look, they’re willing to give it up. If they have a look, they’re willing to take the shot while the others scramble for the rebound. The last few games, Carley’s been in the right place at the right time.”
One blessing in disguise this season was when the Blue Streaks home field was deemed unplayable in the preseason and the decision was made to transition to the Adirondack Sports Dome in Queensbury—a move that helped furthermore showcase the amount of skill on this year’s team, said Hostig.
“We have the opportunity to play on turf in almost all of our games, and I think that’s a big advantage for us in the postseason,” Hostig said. “What started out as something bad for us when we couldn’t be on our homefield has turned into something really good for us. I think we’re more of an equal with other teams now because we’ve played so many games on the turf surface. It’s helping us offensively, defensively, and it’s truly making a difference in our play. Our confidence level is higher when the ball is more predictable and you can really showcase your skill. Having that luxury this year is really helping us.”
Since beating Columbia, 2-1, in the sectional semifinal at the Adirondack Sports Dome, the Streaks have gone on the road for three straight games while not allowing more than one goal in any of them. Senior goalie Sam Geils has been at the back of it all.
“Our defense has really matured a long way, and we’ve been tested,” Hostig said. “It’s not like we’re just playing on the offensive end. Coming into sectionals and going through sectionals, it has been my defense that has really pushed to make sure we keep the ball out or up to our offense. It’s our team defense with our forwards helping. It’s been one of our strongest parts.”
All cylinders will have to be clicking against Mamaroneck Saturday morning, as the Streaks return to Maine-Endwell High School for the seminal game set to start at 9:30 a.m. Mamaroneck defeated Kingston, 4-0, last week.
“All the teams that made it to the semifinals, there’s a reason why they’re in the Final Four,” Hostig said. “I know we will represent our section well. I think we just have to play our game. I know it’s going to be a good game because they are a very skilled team. The teams in this area—like Shen, Columbia and Burnt Hills—they have helped us along the way and I think that’s what helps any of the teams from Section II when we do advance to states. We’ve pushed each other hard enough.”
The winner of Saturday’s matchup will play the winner of Webster Thomas (V) and Sachem East (XI) the following Sunday, Nov. 16, at 10 a.m. That game will also be at Maine-Endwell.
Hostig added that the cold could become a factor this weekend, as neither team has had to endure too much frigid weather this season.
Saturday’s low in Endwell is forecasted to be 27 degrees Fahrenheit, while there is a chance of snow Sunday.
