As I was leaving Cicero-North Syracuse High School today it hit me, the scholastic field hockey season is over. In one respect, I can’t wait to leave Syracuse (especially when it snows or is bitterly cold) so I can return home to my family. On the other hand though, it also represents the season’s conclusion.

And what a great 2007 season it was in Section 1, thanks to the players and coaches. We witnessed some outstanding field hockey games this season, for example, Rye-Putnam Valley (three times), Lakeland-Rye, Lakeland-Putnam Valley, Mamaroneck-Lakeland, Suffern-North Rockland (twice), Putnam Valley-Somers (sectional semifinal), Brewster-Somers (twice), Pleasantville-Bronxville (Sectional final) and, of course, the Garden City-Rye state championship game won by the Garnets on Olivia Nabhan’s goal in the second sudden-death overtime. These are just a few of the games I can recall. There were many more I’m sure I missed.

This season also witnessed a few first-year coaches guiding their respective teams to sectionals—Lindsay Robinson at Edgemont and Cheryl Eglin at Nyack, who only had 12 players.

We witnessed the end of an era at Pleasantville as 31-year coach and an all-around outstanding person in Rosemary Sotherden retired after her team’s regional final. I said it before and I will say it again, thank you coach Sotherden for everything you did for Pleasantville field hockey, Section 1 field hockey and Hudson Valley field hockey.

Let me take this opportunity to thank the players, coaches and parents for your tremendous cooperation this season. From the players, who had to deal with lengthy interviews following a game or long day of school and practice, to the coaches for always helping me with numbers and speaking glowlingly of their players, to the parents, who also helped me out with numbers or tracked their daughters down and had them call me. Many times I had players, coaches and parents thank me, however, I had the easy job. All I had to do was write about this outstanding game and players. The players and coaches did all of the work.

To the players, coaches and parents, congratulations again on another memorable season. Thank you for allowing me to enjoy it.

And good luck to the Hudson Valley scholastic field hockey team at Festival this week.

Williamsville scored on two penalty corners and held off Lakeland’s vaunted penalty-corner offense for a 2-1 victort in the Class A state final.

Leslie Ahern scored on a penalty corner at the 8:18 mark, giving the undefeated Sparatans a 2-0 lead. Lakeland had 10 second-half penalty corners, but only had four shots.

Megan Bozek scored for Lakeland with 1:33 remaining in the game.

Congratulations to Lakeland on a great season as it finished 22-2. And congratulations to the five senior captains – Caitlin Collins, Leah DiSisto, Tara McGovern, Cassie O’Mara and Chelsea Robinson, who had great years and great careers. Lakeland does not play for a state title this season without these five outstanding players.

Emily O’Gorman goal on a penalty corner at the 9:06 mark. To this point W. North has 5 corners to none for Lakeland. The Hornets did not have shot on goal.

Lakeland’s best scoring chance came with Chelsea Robinson and Alyssa Conklin coming into the circle, but Robinson’s pass was just out of Conklin’s reach.

Second-half goals by Caitlin Collins and Cassie O’Mara lifted Lakeland to a 2-0 victory over Saratoga in the Class A semifinal.

Lakeland will play Williamsville North (Section 6), who beat Ward Melville, 3-0, Sunday at 10 a.m. Lakeland beat Williamsville North in the 2003 Class A final. Danielle Fiore had both goals in that game.

Caitlin Collins, Cassie O’Mara, Tara McGovern and Leah DiSisto are very familiar with Williamsville North’s best player—Chantae Miller. Miller was a starter on the Spartans’ 2003 team and has been a mainstay on Western’s scholastic women’s field hockey team at the Empire State Games. Hudson Valley, which included Collins, O’Mara, McGovern and DiSisto, defeated Wesern, 1-0 in the 2007 scholastic women’s gold-medal game.

Yes, you are seeing this correctly. Lakeland is in a battle. The Hornets only had two penalty corners and did not generate one good scoring chance.

Olivia Nabhan received Colleen Carey’s pass and swept a shot in with 4:58 remaining in the second sudden-victory overtime, giving Rye its fourth state championship this decade.

Congratulations to Rye for winning its Section 1-leading fourth state title and fourth this decade.

Rye also snapped Garden City’s 62-game winning streak, dating back to the 2005 season-opener. Garden City had won the 2005 Class A state crown and 2006 Class B title.

Congratulations to Rye on another outstanding season, and specifically the seniors – Marielle Bianchi, Colleen Carey, Liz Chabot, Alyssa Coughlan, Morgan McCauley, Ai Nishino, Lucy Rollins and Ashley Santoro. You brought Rye back to the state final four and, with a little help from the youngster – Olivia Nabhan, gave the program its fourth state championship. Outstanding job seniors!

Rye had two penalty corners in the first OT. Lucy Rollins ripped a drive just wide on the first corner and on the second corner, Erin Brennan blocked a Rollins’ rip.

We are in overtime with 3:46 remaining.

Rye had two first-half penalty corners and no shots on goal. On its second corner, Lucy Rollins’ ripped a drive that was deflected wide by Garden City’s defense. On the other hand, Garden City did not have any penalty corners and took one shot on goal.

The first half was played between the 25s. Garden City did a nice job of blocking up Rye’s free hits and long passes.

In the Class C title game, Tessa Knapp beat three defenders and scored with 4:33 remaining in sudden death as Marathon (Section 4) defeated Warrensburg (Section 2), 1-0 to win its second consectuive state title and state-leading eighth overall.

The Garden City-Rye Class B final is scheduled to start at noon. I’ll be checking in at halftime. Garden City is putting its 62-game winning streak on the line today.