Saratoga shuts out Nisky in A semifinal
QUEENSBURY, N.Y. >> Heading into Saturday’s Section II Class A field hockey final the Saratoga Springs field hockey team is in a good place, made better by Thursday’s 5-0 shutout of Niskayuna at the Adirondack Dome.
The Blue Streaks scored four first half goals and settled for a single tally in the second half as its defense turned back the Silver War-
riors offensive efforts time and time again for the shutout victory.
“Nisky came to play and I knew they would come to play,” Saratoga Springs Coach Jo-Anne Hostig said. “They definitely challenged us and we’re in a different place. We are really offensive-minded and my defense, they held it.”
University of Richmondbound senior Lindsey Frank scored two goals and assisted on the remaining three tallies Thursday afternoon as Saratoga continued to find its offensive stride.
“It means that we have a lot of talent on our team and a lot of people who can score and make plays,” Lindsey Frank said. “Even starting from our goalie Kristin (Rodecker) to our defense with Liz (Pratt) and a strong overall connection it finishes with whoever because you can rely on so many people.”
Saturday will be her fourth consecutive sectional final, welcomed, but never guaranteed.
“There is some stress behind it because as a senior, it’s eye-opening that if you lose, it could be the end,” Frank said. “It always was, but as a senior now, it’s a lot more dramatic. I think getting to the finals is even more important.”
Katelyn Ginley opened the scoring for Saratoga just 22 seconds in before Molly Russell tacked on the second goal four minutes later, both assisted by Frank. The two-sport star added her own name to the scoring column with an unassisted goal with 16 minutes remaining in the first half before Hunter Yourch gave the Blue Streaks a commanding four-goal lead.
Despite the deficit Niskayuna was relentless on the attack, unable to convert on all nine of its penalty corners as goalie Kristen Rodecker turned back all five shots that reached her as the Saratoga defense is peaking at the right time.
“We just tried to force with our bodies instead of just throwing our stick in there and going for the block tackle because we get beat every single time and it doesn’t stop them, it just slows us down,” Saratoga senior captain Liz Pratt said. “If we force with the body and push them out wide more than they can’t do anything and it gives us more time to set up on the defense and mark up.”
The fifth Blue Streak goal came from Frank after Hostig called a time out as Saratoga’s offense lost some of its luster that showed in the first half.
“We just kind of sat back for a second and got comfortable, which you should never do in a game, especially sectionals,” Frank said. “We took a time out to say ‘Hey, let’s keep the energy going and don’t let up.’”
Pratt and the defense didn’t let up, looking to ride its blue wall into Saturday’s final against rival Shenendehowa, a 2-1 overtime winner versus Guilderland Thursday night.
“It’s a huge confidence booster because we have so many new people this year with only three or four returning starters coming back, we have so many new people everywhere,” Pratt said. “It’s such a big confidence booster for everyone, even the returners. I know for me and probably Lindsey and everyone else it reassures you that you’re good and you’ve got this and you’re confident.”
The Blue Streaks can give some credit to their rival, Shenendehowa for their current game play.
“We’re a much different team than what we were,” Hostig said. “Against Shen, I thought it was a turning point, I thought we played well that day; we just didn’t have enough opportunities. We definitely had enough opportunities.”
Her players are ready for their rivals and a potential miserable day on Saturday to battle for a title.
“I have a lot of people I can take off the bench, it’s great,” Hostig said. “We’re in a good place and defense wins championships and that’s exactly what they are doing, so hopefully we’ll keep that up.”