SECTION IV FIELD HOCKEY: OWEGO’S SEASON ENDS AGAINST DEFENDING STATE CHAMPS (24 PHOTOS) (2024-10-29)

By TIM TAYLOR
Tioga County Sports Report
VESTAL — Graduation losses finally caught up with the Vestal field hockey team this season, but that doesn’t mean the two-time defending Class B state champions would be a pushover.

Facing a formidable challenge from Owego in the first half of the Section IV semifinals, the Golden Bears eventually prevailed to post a 4-0 victory over here Tuesday night.

“Those girls played with heart and they implemented everything we've been working on in practice, so I can't be anything but proud,” said Owego coach Ashlee Marsh.

The River Hawks’ defense challenged their host for more than 26 minutes before surrendering a goal.

“Our defense played phenomenal,” Marsh said. “Unfortunately, we didn't really get it down on the offensive end as much as we had hoped.”

That score came with 3:57 remaining in the first half off the stick of Helene Ryan and would be all Vestal would need to secure a return trip to the championship game. Ryan would add another tally with 9:56 to play in the third period.

The Bears, stymied by the Owego defense on a dozen previous penalty corners, would finally find the cage at 13:01 of the fourth quarter then add another with 3:44 on the clock. Those goals came from Ava Peters and Ella Sholett with the duo picking up the assist on each other’s goal.

Vestal dominated possession and attempted six corners in the second stanza, giving the Bears eight at the half. They would finish the night with 15.

The River Hawks had one corner and was held without a shot on goal by the Bears’ defense.

“We tried to make an adjustment at halftime,” Marsh said. “It was definitely a risk moving (Ashleigh) Steele from center mid to center forward. We were hoping to get a big ball through to her, but unfortunately, every big hit we had got called against us, so then we were right back down on our defensive end.

Owego goalie Lillie Kneller collected 10 saves.

Vestal (11-6) gets another crack at Afton/Harpursville (10-4) in the title game Saturday. The Bears have had four one-goal losses this season, with a private school out of Buffalo and nine-time state champ Whitney Point being the only teams to top the Bears by multiple goals.

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PHOTOS BY TIM TAYLOR.

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