Girls lacrosse: Saugerties defends Class C championship in rematch with Goshen
HIGHLAND FALLS — Once they got over the nerves, they were really in the game.
No. 1 Saugerties defeated No. 2 Goshen, 11-8, in Section 9 Class C girls lacrosse championship at James I. O'Neill High School on Thursday. This is the second title in two years for the Sawyers. Last season, they faced Goshen and won on an overtime goal from Lia MacDougall.
Section 9 girls lacrosse: Here are the 2022 tournament seedings and brackets
Girls lacrosse: James I. O'Neill defends Class D championship, behind Alberici's 7 goals
Girls lacrosse: Meet the 2022 Varsity 845 Elite 11 selections
Goshen would storm out to a 5-2 lead, behind big-time saves from goalkeeper and American University and Division I commit, Carly Larsen. On a big stage such as the championship game, it's easy for nerves to set in.
But the Sawyers would go into halftime with a 6-5 lead in the midst of what would be a 6-0 run.
“We did not come out well today," Saugerties coach Nick Bernard said. "We were a little tight, I think we were a little nervous. That first 15 minutes Goshen came out at us. We battled though, and I really loved how we finished the first half, and the second half we carried it right over.”
Saugerties used a critical part of what they do well to storm ahead and defend their title.
“A big part of our game is our ride, that’s when everybody is working together to get that ball back," Saugerties' Dreama Manganiello said. "And we do a great job at just overwhelming the offense.”
What it means
In their only meeting of the regular season, Saugerties bested Goshen, 9-7, on May 13. The Sawyers will face the Section 2 winner in a subregional matchup at Rondout Valley High School on June 1 at 4 p.m.
Player of the game
Addison Costello scored a game-high four goals for Saugerties.
By the numbers
No. 1 Saugerties (12-2) — Addison Costello scored a game-high four goals. Dreama Manganiello added three. Heidi Mulford netted two. Lia MacDougall and Mackenzie Below each chipped in with a goal. Goalkeeper Brynn Fisher made two saves.
No. 2 Goshen (8-4) — Grace Gardner scored a team-high three goals. Alexa Kriney and Meghan Doody each added two goals. Megan Salte had one. Carly Larsen was a force in net, stopping nine shots and keeping her team in the game throughout.
Quotable
“It feels awesome. I’m so proud of the girls for their effort. It’s hard enough to win one, to win two, it’s a real testament to their character, and I’m really proud of them.” - Saugerties coach Nick Bernard on his feelings on the team defending its section title.
"We tried to work on our shots being higher, because she’s very good at the low shots. Our passing and cutting, because drives were kind of getting shut down. We just worked really well together as a team and it really made a difference.” - Saugerties' Lia MacDougall on the team's game plan against Goshen goalkeeper Carly Larsen.
MKramer1@th-record.com
Twitter: @MKramerTHR
This article originally appeared on Times Herald-Record: Section 9 girls lacrosse: Saugerties defends Class C title
