In The Circle

Class A and B quarterfinal predictions

October

I’ve pretty much held my predictions to myself for fear of being belted with a field hockey stick by an angry player. Well, I think I’m going to take a chance and make some “observations” concerning the Class A and Class B quarterfinals on Saturday, should Mother Nature cooperate.

Class A

No. 1 Lakeland over No. 8 Suffern – Suffern has had an excellent year, but faces a very difficult task on the road at the defending state champion.

No. 2 Arlington over No. 10 Carmel – This will be a close game. Yes, I know, Arlington is seeded second and is having another outstanding year, but Carmel is always going to be in a game and play tough for coach Colette Brenneman.

No. 3 Mamaroneck over No. 11 Yorktown – Yorktown did a great job to win its last two games to qualify for sectional, then shock No. 6 Ossining in overtime. However, Yorktown will encounter an angry Mamaroneck team that was blanked in its regular-season finale by Putnam Valley.

No. 5 John Jay-East Fishkill over No. 4 North Rockland – JJEF coach Barbara Deppe will not allow North Rockland high-scoring forward Chrissy Gutenberger to beat her. Jay will look to negate Gutenberger early.

Class B

No. 1 Rye over No. 8 Sleepy Hollow – Sleepy Hollow and coach Kelly (Cronin) Jarer have had a fine season, but run into a buzzsaw.

No. 2 Somers over No. 7 Dover – Teams have tried, but have been unable to find an answer to Somers’ explosive forward, Lizzy Russo. And don’t forget four-year starter in goal, Amanda Heyde. Many shots result in hitting her pads.

No. 3 Putnam Valley over No. 6 Brewster – I will be at this game so the Brewster fans can yell at me for this “observation.” The matchup here is Brewster’s offense against Putnam Valley’s staunch defense and center midfielder Ashley Morgan. I’m sure Brewster’s Caitlin Conn has already briefed her teammates on Put Valley center back Brittany Kinsley and Morgan. The trio played for the 2007 gold-medal winning Hudson Valley scholastic women’s field hockey team.

No. 4 Briarcliff bested No. 5 Pelham, 2-1 on a pair of Melissa Colton goals Friday.

I am now ready to get lambasted by the respective fans from those teams I did not select to win.

This entry was posted on Friday, October 26th, 2007 at 8:33 pm by Tony Pinciaro.
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