Shen rallies past Shaker, next up Saratoga
CLIFTONPARK, N.Y. » The Shenendehowa girls varsity lacrosse season was almost over earlier than the Plainsmen had planned.
Shaker High came out matching Shenendehowa goal for goal in the first half and then broke out its own offensive run, four straight goals and putting the Plainsmen back on their heels, down 8- 4.
Shenendehowa regained its composure and came out energized to outscore the Bison, 14-1 the rest of the way to advance to the Section II Class A semifinal Monday afternoon at Saratoga.
“We got to the halftime and our coaches talked to us ‘ What’s going on? We’ve beaten this team twice?’” Shenendehowa senior Jenna Graf said. “We know they were coming out strong because it is sectionals, this is a game where you either go home or continue on.
“I think we said the mentality, us five seniors were like ‘ We don’t want this to be our last game,’ and I think everyone followed and we put 100 percent into every ball, every catch, every shot.”
Just as the Plainsmen continued to rip the twine, the defense also came to life, holding Shaker to a single goal down the stretch.
“At first we weren’t really talking that much, so when we needed slides they just weren’t coming and at the end we were really loud and energetic and we wanted to help each other and stop the ball,” Shenendehowa senior Bridget Shanahan said. “Wewere really good at crashing and preventing them from getting to the goal.
“We realized if we worked together and stayed tight on the eight (8-yard-line) we were going out far, they started running by it a couple points, but then we started working together and having each other’s backs which really helped in the end.”
Not only did the Plainsmen step up their defensive game, first-year coach Heidi Ackerley inserted Cecila Ralph into the draw circle to turn the tide against Shaker on the midfield face- offs.
“We tried in the first half to change-up some different kids on the circle, try some different draw
kids. It just wasn’t clicking,” Coach Heidi Ackerley said. “Finally, Celia, she’s a freshman, I said ‘ Hey, let’s go, give us a shot, and show us what you’ve got.’ She held her ground, she ran fast, she got the ground ball, she worked hard for us. She did a good job.”
The freshman was ready for the task.
“I’ve been called in a couple times, I wasn’t really anticipating it, I’m always ready for it, in case they needed it,” Celia Ralph said. “I was excited to go in for it and I was happy to do it.
“I’m pretty quick and so is Sarah Monroe and they usually put us in to run after the ground balls.”
Jenna Graf led Shenendehowa with five goals with Shaker gaining its offense from Cait Wood’s
three goals and Kate Julien along with Kayleigh Papa each scoring twice.
The Shenendehowa seniors weren’t the only people on the sidelines with doubts about the Plainsmen season Thursday afternoon.
“I was more surprised at the 4- 4 at half,” Ackerley said. “We have a great team, they’re a strong group of girls, they know how to play the game, it’s just the stars have to align, they have to play together.”
The Plainsmen advance to face rival Saratoga Springs Monday afternoon and also secured the first varsity sectional win for Ackerley.
“I’m super proud of the girls, they didn’t give up, being tied at halftime,” Ackerley said. “They didn’t come to play, they just came out flat, but after halftime something sparked. Bridget Shanahan in the backfield got a ground ball and I think that really set the tone for the rest of the game.
“Just moving the ball, working together as a team. I’m super proud of them; they came through for us in the end.”