SECTION IV FIELD HOCKEY: SVEC NIPS NV IN OVERTIME BATTLE (2019-09-12)

BY TIM TAYLOR
Tioga County Sports Report
NEWARK VALLEY  — SVEC was looking for its first win. Newark Valley was hoping a week-long layoff would not be detrimental. The Eagles got their wish.

With speed as its ally, SVEC emerged with a 1-0 overtime victory in Section IV Division 3 action Thursday.

In OT, teams are reduced from 11 players per side to what is usually a faster-paced 7-on-7 battle and that would benefit the Eagles' quick offense. Just over three minutes into the extra session, SVEC speedster Ryleigh Clark would get free in the NV end and feed Rhiana Lawrence for then game-winning goal at 6:24.

The lone goal would ease the frustration of a rough start to the season in which the Eagles had struggled to score during an 0-3 start.

"Success breeds success and once these girls get a taste of it I think they're ready to just  keep going after it," SVEC head coach Abby Gentile said. "We knew this was going to be a tough game. Newark Valley is the other team in that division I think is super strong." 

SVEC was prepared for a battle from the start.

"They knew coming in they were going to have to work hard and worked hard for 60 minutes and it wasn't enough," Gentile said."It's exciting that our speed comes through ina 77, because there's so much more space on the field with only seven players out there so speed can get past the defense a lot easier and that circumstance worked out.

"With Ryleigh on the front line and Rhiana able to just sprint up there ... all of those girls, they just played so hard today."

It was just the second game of the young season for the Cardinals, who hadn't played since beating Windsor, 3-0, a week earlier.

"That week of down time was killer," NV head coach Jessica Doehring said. 

"Unfortunately, we just couldn't get our offense organized in there and get our shots off correctly.

"We just didn't get it in the net. That's kind of what counts."

On paper, SVEC, which lost to Windsor, 2-1, and had been shut out in two other games, should not have won. However, when it's Tioga County rivals, paper doesn't carry much weight.

NV controlled the majority of possession time in this clash, especially in the first half as it took eight shots to SVEC's one. Fortunately for the Eagles, they could rely on goalie Bella Young to keep them in the thick of it. She came away with four saves in the half — seven for the day.

"Bella was Bella again and that is so nice to see," Gentile said. "She's been  a little off so far, but I think tonight she had it in her mind and she went out there and played like we're ready to win.

"I thought my defense played really strong during the first 60 with Greta (Paassch) and Andy (Douglas) and Raegan (Sudnikovich). They kept getting low because Newark valley puts a lot of pressure on inside that offensive circle, and they're crafty and they're skilled. We just had to play tough and they did a good job."

The Cardinals' defense held SVEC in check for the first 30 minutes, but the second half was more evenly matched. NV took six shots, the Eagles five.

Newark Valley threatened first in the overtime, but Young made a nice kick save to clear the ball. Not long after, SVEC put it in the cage at the other end.

The Cardinals held advantages in shots, 15-7, and penalty corners, 8-1.

Gavin Blee had two saves for NV.

Back issues have prevented last year's Tioga County Sports Report Player of the Year, Alison Wales, from playing, but Blee has done a solid job guarding the cage.

"Gavin started with us last year, so he took over this year," Doehring said. "He does a great job.

"We'll just get back in there and get back to working on our offense, getting our positioning fixed, so we're ready to go. We've got three games coming up next week so it's going to be a bust week, so they've got to shake it off and move on."

On Monday, SVEC (1-3) visits Owego while Newark Valley hosts Deposit / Hancock.

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IN PHOTO 1: NV's Phaedra Day (L) and SVEC's Raegan Sudnikovich. ... PHOTOS BY TIM TAYLOR