Shen shuts out Saratoga, 4-0
Plainsmen score three goals in final five minutes in shutout win
CLIFTON PARK, N.Y. >> The first half was everything that Saratoga Springs field hockey coach Jo-Anne Hostig wanted on the road at Shenendehowa Monday afternoon – a scoreless first half with the ball traveling up and down the artificial turf facility at Brent T. Steuerwald Stadium.
She just didn’t get what she wanted in the second half from her young squad.
Plainsmen sophomore Hannah Merritt scored early in the second half from an assist from junior Sydney Reinisch as Shen dominated possession throughout the second session.
The Plainsmen then tossed in three more goals in the final five minutes for the 4-0 rivalry win.
“There were points where we were so on and it just took us a while,” Shenendehowa coach Jeanne Frevola said. “We’re still trying to feel where we belong and I kept moving people’s positions and changing them on the field just to give them a different look.
“I think some of the younger kids played very well as subs and came in and it just shows us that we have some stuff. Once we get the momentum and we score, the floodgates open.”
For Hostig, having a solid first half was almost too good to be true.
“The first half was great, we did our job, we did what we were supposed to,” JoAnne Hostig said. “I was worried that the other half would come out, but that’s what happens.
“I give them (Shen) credit, most of them are back from last year, the scorers. They just waited and pounced on us and we had a great first half.”
It took time before Merritt was able to break through and break the scoreless tie.
“We kept on trying to push it in and had most of the possession but we just couldn’t seem to finish it,” Hannah Merritt said. “When I finished it, it was just the best feeling.”
Breaking through the Blue Streak defense and goalie Kristen Rodecker was a challenge for Merritt and her teammates.
“It’s just slowing your thoughts down and seeing where the options are,” Merritt said.
She scored the second goal of the contest on a penalty corner with three minutes and 42 seconds remaining, connecting once again with Reinisch. Sophomore Kendall Eggleston tallied the third Plainsmen goal before junior Julie Kuzmich completed the final five minute scoring hat trick on Reinisch’s third assist of the afternoon.
“I think that they were just in the perfect spot in the perfect moment,” Sydney Reinisch said.
Patience and possession won out for Shen Monday afternoon.
“I think going into this game we were nervous because they have been our rival, but I think we got it together in the second half and we really started working as a team well,” Reinisch said.
Blue Streak goalie Kristen Rodecker turned back 20 shots in the contest, keeping Saratoga’s hopes alive in the late stages of the game.
“My god, my goalie did an awesome job,” Hostig said. “Sam Shapiro had a save, Rian Davis had a save. My defense tried to stay in there but it’s hard when they are pounding, pounding and pounding and that’s exactly what they were doing.
“There are a lot of good things that we’re doing and I know we can play with them. I’m hoping they’ll remember this part and adjust a little bit, we’ll keep working out the kinks and we’ll see what happens.”