The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
Cazenovia reaches state final with OT win
Kent’s OT goal gives Cazenovia victory over Barker
CICERO >> Coming into the game against Cazenovia, the Barker field hockey team had fallen in the state semifinal two times in the past three years.
On Saturday, the Raider’s streak of bad luck continued.
Ashley Kent scored in the sec- ond overtime period, leading Cazenovia to a 1- 0 victory and its third trip to the state title game in the past four years.
In the first half Cazenovia struggled against a Barker team that has allowed only five goals this season, not getting its best scoring opportunity until the final two minutes. After a long run down the field, Sarah Willard sent a pass in front of the goal, but Caitlyn Mason made a series of impressive saves to end the threat.
But Kimber Nourse had a solid game of her own, kicking away several shots from scuffles in front of the goal to keep the game scoreless.
The teams went into the half tied 0-0.
The Lakers continued to control possession after the break but had nothing to show for it thanks mostly to continued solid play by Mason. She made a diving save on a shot by Willard, then denied the Lakers again on five penalty corners.
In the second half, the Raiders, who have averaged nearly four goals per game, struggled offensively, ending without any shots on goal.
Cazenovia had plenty of chances to score in the first overtime period. After a shot hit off the left post in the 63rd minute, Mason kicked away a shot by Kent to force a second overtime period.
Then the Lakers were able to do something only five teams have done against Barker this season; score a goal.
Kent collected a pass by Willard and tapped it into the corner of the goal to deny Mason her 14th shutout of the season and give her team the 1-0 victory.
The Lakers will play Pierson Bridgehampton in the Class C final at Cicero-North Syracuse tomorrow.