Fifth-seeded Brighton climbs all the way to the top, wins Section V field hockey title

James Johnson, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
·2 min read

Losing in the Section V Field Hockey Class A final last season was no fun for the Brighton Bruins.

"They are hungry," Brighton coach Jessica Wasserman said earlier this season. "They don't like second-place."

The Bruins earned another chance to win the Class A sectional championship, went right to work on a first-place finish Tuesday night in the tournament final and celebrated after a 5-2 win over Webster Thomas at Fairport High.

Brighton (10-8) is a Section V champion for the first time since 2015. Fifteen seniors on a 17-player roster carried the trophy back to school.

Play of the game

Brighton's Maya Costanza (10) celebrates her first quarter goal with teammate Elena Mendoza (7), left, during their Section V Class A semifinal game against Fairport Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022 at Fairport High School. Costanza's goal was the only scoring in the game as Brighton won 1-0 and move on the finals.
Brighton's Maya Costanza (10) celebrates her first quarter goal with teammate Elena Mendoza (7), left, during their Section V Class A semifinal game against Fairport Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022 at Fairport High School. Costanza's goal was the only scoring in the game as Brighton won 1-0 and move on the finals.

The Brighton Bruins held a 2-1 lead in the first quarter when sophomore Maya Costanza scored after a rebound, giving her a team a two-goal lead.

There was 5:34 remaining in the first half and Webster Thomas was in catch-up mode the rest of the way.

By the numbers

5 - Brighton's seed in the tournament. The Bruins' winning percentage for the season climbed over .500 during the tournament.

3 - Webster Thomas' seed in the tournament. The Titans were in position to win the team's first Section V Championship since 2000, fourth in nine years.

5 - Bruins who scored goals (in order): Avery Coke, Inez van Keken and Maya Costanza in the first half, Julia Ross and Willa Runge after halftime.

2 - Rao sisters who scored. Helena Rao scored the first goal for Webster Thomas, which made the score 1-1. Francesca Rao produced the other goal for the Titans.

7 - Seasons played since the last time Brighton was a Section V Field Hockey champion

They said it

Brighton's Inez Van Keken (11), right, rips a shot past a diving Thomas goaltkeeper Madison Strelick (30), center, giving the Bruins a 2-1 lead in the first half during their Class A field hockey championship finals Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022 at Fairport High School.
Brighton's Inez Van Keken (11), right, rips a shot past a diving Thomas goaltkeeper Madison Strelick (30), center, giving the Bruins a 2-1 lead in the first half during their Class A field hockey championship finals Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022 at Fairport High School.

"Very unexpected. A lot of people were downing us before the quarterfinal, 'This could be it.' Just to make it this far was something special. And to win, is very exciting." Brighton senior midfielder/defender Inez van Keken

"We just played as a team. Everyone was there for each other, and in the right places." Brighton senior forward Avery Coke on five Bruins scoring a goal

"It was another great win for us. I think the score kind of reflected how well we played. When they play together, they can really play together." Brighton coach Jessica Wasserman

What's next

Brighton's Willa Runge (22), left, and Thomas's Alexis Eskander (15), right, battle for possession during their Class A field hockey championship finals Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022 at Fairport High School.
Brighton's Willa Runge (22), left, and Thomas's Alexis Eskander (15), right, battle for possession during their Class A field hockey championship finals Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022 at Fairport High School.

The Bruins (10-8) face the Section VI champion during the state tournament regional or quarterfinal round, Nov. 5 at Medina Veterans Park, 11 a.m.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Brighton wins Section V field hockey championship