BINGHAMTON - OFA girls' lacrosse turned in a complete performance on both offense and defense to take care of Johnson City, 13-6 and capture the Section IV Class C Championship at Chenango Forks High School on Thursday.

Owego was locked in from the beginning, with Jenna and Madison McEvoy scoring back-to-back goals less than five minutes into Thursday's championship contest. 

Johnson City would get on the board to make it 2-1 at the 7:24 mark of the first quarter, but Owego's Lexi Herceg would find the net, followed by another Jenna McEvoy goal to close out the stanza with OFA ahead 4-1.

The Wildcats cut into the Owego lead with a quick score to start the second quarter, but Herceg once again responded for the River Hawks, snapping in another goal.

With seven minutes left in the quarter, Johnson City found a bit of momentum, controlling possession and netting two consecutive goals. Jenna McEvoy was able to cushion Owego's lead though, earning a first half hat trick on a short-time score with just 39 seconds left on the clock. At the break OFA led 6-4.

To start the third stanza, Johnson City cut the lead to one when they scored less than two minutes into the second half. 

OFA regained their composure however, with four different River Hawks finding the net for four straight goals. Keira Henry, Ashleigh Steele, Madison McEvoy, and Amelia Sherman combined to put Owego ahead, 10-5.

Shannon Maslin was a wall in goal for Owego, allowing just one more Johnson City score the remainder of the game, while Bella Silvestri was a key defensively coming up with some big checks in timely situations. Steele was also fantastic on defense, locking down Johnson City's top scorer with excellent face guarding throughout the game.

Lexi Herceg went on an offensive tear with two more goals in the second half and Jenna McEvoy also added to her big night with another score. 

Maslin had eight saves for the game. Herceg and Jenna McEvoy had four goals each in the championship win, while Madison McEvoy finished with two scores and three assists. 

Keira Henry found the net once to go with an assist and Izzy Herceg also helped out with an assist in the game. Steele scored once, while racking up two ground balls and Amelia Sherman netted a goal for Owego in the victory.

"This title means so much. Not just because of the trophy, but because of the journey it represents," said coach Ashlee Marsh.

"I could not be more proud of this group of kids. Their heart, commitment to each other and ability to fight for something bigger than themselves is unmatched," added Marsh.

Multiple OFA seniors commented on what the championship victory and moment means to them. 

"I am ecstatic. This team has worked their butt's off and deserves this. As long as we stay consistent and keep practicing, I think we can keep it going," said goalie, Shannon Maslin.

"It's a lot of emotion. A bunch of our seniors have been here since freshman year and we have put so much work into this. The job's never finished though. I think we can make it to states," added Madison McEvoy.

"Honestly this is surreal. Everything feels like it's been building to this moment. For us to be able to work so hard and pull it out in the end, it just makes you want to take it in that much more. The competition only gets harder from her though, so we need to continue putting in the work and get ready for next Saturday," commented Lexi Herceg.

"I am so grateful for OFA athletics and these teams that I have been able to be apart of. I could not be happier in this moment. Our momentum carried us through today. We were working so hard to win every ground ball and I think it was the team effort as a whole that won us this game," said Bella Silvestri.

Owego girls lacrosse now advances to play on June 7th at Chenango Valley against an opponent yet to be determined.