David v. Goliath: Crimson Knights look to upset defending state champion Lakeland
Meagan Schulz, Sun Sports Editor
WILLIAMSVILLE – This weekend the Lakeland Hornets (Section I) hopes to defeat Afton in the state semifinals to reach its 17th state championship game. The Hornets haven’t lost a game to a New York-based opponent since 2008. Looking to be their first will be the Crimson Knights of Section IV.
Being played at Williamsville-North High School, just on the outskirts of Buffalo, both teams are making the trek across state for a chilly Saturday afternoon game. Game time is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. and the forecast for the area is looking to be in the mid-30s with a chance of snow showers.
Maybe the snow will miss the area but what won’t be missing is a quality game. Afton is currently 12-4 and the girls are hungry for that state championship title.
Lakeland is undefeated in their 21 games played this season and have not lost a game against a New York state opponent since 2008 – the season that started their run of nine straight state championships won. The Hornets are in search of their 10th in a row.
The Crimson Knights haven’t been in a game of the distinction in quite some time and they will have their hands full against the Hornets.
In order for Afton to have any chance against the powerhouse team from Section I – just outside of New York City – they will need stop the dominant Hornets.
A high powered offense this season, Lakeland has recorded 139 goals while allowing just seven to be scored against them. They have defeated their opponents by an average of 5.86 goals while scoring an average of 6.62 goals per game as a team. It’s a good possibility that Lakeland won’t be held scoreless but that will come down to the play of Afton’s midfielders, defense and goalkeeper.
Season-long preparation
The bonus for the team hailing from Chenango County is that they play against teams like Whitney Point, Vestal, Greene and Maine-Endwell in the regular season that help them prepare for teams like the Hornets.
Vestal faced the Lakeland team in last year’s Class B championship game. The Hornets earned their ninth straight state title with a 5-0 win over the Section IV team.
Greene is brought up into the conversation not only because they are tough opponent that beat Afton the one time they played this year but because earlier this season, the Trojans faced Lakeland’s last opponent – Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake. Greene won 3-1. The Trojans topped Afton 2-1 in the last game of the regular season for the two teams.
The Crimson Knights squared off against Maine-Endwell twice this season, splitting the series 1-1. M-E won by a goal their second time playing while Afton took home the 1-0 victory in the first meeting. Maine-Endwell is also making an appearance in the state tournament this weekend at the Class A level – their second straight season at the final four.
Lastly, Afton saw Whitney Point during the regular season twice. The Crimson Knights lost both but the games were close throughout as Whitney Point won 2-0 and 3-1. Playing in the Class C semifinal game following the Crimson Knights are the Eagles from Whitney Point, who will be going for their fifth straight state title.
Field of dreams
This is the first time that Williamsville-North will be hosting the New York State Championships. After four years at Maine-Endwell and Vestal, the tournament moves to the Section IV school for the first of three years.
According to Judy Otto, the Section VI Field Hockey Coordinator, the experience and the environment will be unlike any other. “The venue is state of the art and unlike any other high school facility across the state,” said Judy Otto, Section VI Field Hockey Coordinator. “By having two fields side-by-side, all spectators will be able to observe two competitions at once as well as watching replays on the jumbotron.”
Key Players:
Both teams have a strong team throughout their entire roster. There will be, however, notable names in the game from both the Hornets and the Crimson Knights.
Lakeland
Julianna Cappello, Forward
While there are four players who have scored 10-plus goals this season on the Lakeland roster, Cappello is the leading scorer on the Hornets with 40 goals. She isn’t only a threat on scoring though. She also leads Lakeland with 23 assists.
Cappello has been held scoreless once this season – the Hornets’ 7-0 win over Bronxville. She did, however, find her teammates on two of the seven goals scored in the contest.
If the game is close in the final minutes of the game, Lakeland will look to find her. Cappello tallied the game winning goal in two games this season for the Hornets, including their 1-0 win in the regional finals against Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake.
In her senior season, Cappello will be attending Quinnipiac next fall.
Kellie Smith, Goalkeeper
Lakeland’s midfield and defense are strong, allowing Smith to have it somewhat easy during games. She has only been shot at 26 times all season long, the most being six times in one game. Smith has stopped 17 of those, only allowing seven to reach the back of the cage.
Starting in all 21 games for the Hornets, Smith has recorded 16 shutouts as the keeper. She does have teammate Miranda Lopes as a back up. Lopes has seen a lot of time as the second-team goalie but has only seen one shot in her appearances between the posts.
With Afton’s abilities to create many offensive opportunities and penalty corners, Smith could be tested Saturday. She could very well see the most shots she has in a single game this year. It will depend on her defense in front of her.
Emily Kness, Midfielder
A menace on both sides of the ball, Kness allows for some of the focus to come off of her teammate and leading scorer Cappello. Afton can’t take their eyes of of Kness as she can create opportunities on offense but can make the play on defense as well.
Kness is the fourth leading scorer on the Hornets roster but she has the eye for her teammates. Second on the team in assists with 18, the Colgate committed midfielder is an offensive threat that the Crimson Knights will have to be ready for.
While being a huge part of the offense for Lakeland, Kness has a defensive mind to her as well. It may not be a stat that is recorded but she is known for controlling the middle third of the field. Kness is a large part of why opposing teams do not get very many shots off in a game.
Afton
Madison Baciuska, Midfielder
Baciuska is the Crimson Knights go-to on offense, scoring 21 goals this year. However, teams know about her abilities – even Lakeland. In fact, Hornets’ head coach Sharon Sarsen and her players have seen the Baciuska, Janelle Volk and most of Afton’s squad in club action over the summer.
Sarsen knows Volk will be unavailable for the contest as she is with a torn ACL. She will be able to focus her defense on Baciuska but can’t lose sight of others on the field as the Crimson Knights’ midfielder can share the ball. The Wake Forest commit has 10 assists on the season as well and just like Cappello, makes the pass to the open player.
Jordan Nichols, Goalkeeper
Nichols will see shots from Lakeland’s offense, no doubt about that. She however, can handle it. While there isn’t a current stat available for how many shots have been taken against Nichols this season, you can bet with the teams on Afton’s regular season schedule, it’s a decent number.
That stat doesn’t phase Nichols as she is very athletic, making big saves when she is in front of the cage. She has only allowed 13 goals past her this season. Against the four Section IV teams named earlier, she has given up no more than three in a single game.
Nichols has recorded nine shut out victories this season, including one against Maine-Endwell. In the 3-2 loss against M-E, she stopped 10 shots from passing.
Stopping a total of 63 shots this season, Nichols averages 3.94 saves per game. That number could very well be higher on Saturday but with her keeper IQ, Nichols’ play in front of the net will be a key part of the game.
What next for the winner?
The victor of the semifinal matchup will take on the winner of the between Pittsfield-Mendon (Section V) and Garden City (Section 8), a game being played at the same time.
Pittsfield-Mendon was team in the final four a season ago but lost to Vestal in the semifinal round, 2-1.
The Class B New York State Championship will be played the following afternoon on Sunday at 12:30 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased prior to the Saturday event for $8 at www.gofan.co or at the gate the day of the event for $10. A new ticket must be purchased for the championship game Sunday.
The game will also be broadcasted on www.nfhsnetwork.com/associations/nysphsaa.
WILLIAMSVILLE – This weekend the Lakeland Hornets (Section I) hopes to defeat Afton in the state semifinals to reach its 17th state championship game. The Hornets haven’t lost a game to a New York-based opponent since 2008. Looking to be their first will be the Crimson Knights of Section IV.
Being played at Williamsville-North High School, just on the outskirts of Buffalo, both teams are making the trek across state for a chilly Saturday afternoon game. Game time is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. and the forecast for the area is looking to be in the mid-30s with a chance of snow showers.
Maybe the snow will miss the area but what won’t be missing is a quality game. Afton is currently 12-4 and the girls are hungry for that state championship title.
Lakeland is undefeated in their 21 games played this season and have not lost a game against a New York state opponent since 2008 – the season that started their run of nine straight state championships won. The Hornets are in search of their 10th in a row.
The Crimson Knights haven’t been in a game of the distinction in quite some time and they will have their hands full against the Hornets.
In order for Afton to have any chance against the powerhouse team from Section I – just outside of New York City – they will need stop the dominant Hornets.
A high powered offense this season, Lakeland has recorded 139 goals while allowing just seven to be scored against them. They have defeated their opponents by an average of 5.86 goals while scoring an average of 6.62 goals per game as a team. It’s a good possibility that Lakeland won’t be held scoreless but that will come down to the play of Afton’s midfielders, defense and goalkeeper.
Season-long preparation
The bonus for the team hailing from Chenango County is that they play against teams like Whitney Point, Vestal, Greene and Maine-Endwell in the regular season that help them prepare for teams like the Hornets.
Vestal faced the Lakeland team in last year’s Class B championship game. The Hornets earned their ninth straight state title with a 5-0 win over the Section IV team.
Greene is brought up into the conversation not only because they are tough opponent that beat Afton the one time they played this year but because earlier this season, the Trojans faced Lakeland’s last opponent – Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake. Greene won 3-1. The Trojans topped Afton 2-1 in the last game of the regular season for the two teams.
The Crimson Knights squared off against Maine-Endwell twice this season, splitting the series 1-1. M-E won by a goal their second time playing while Afton took home the 1-0 victory in the first meeting. Maine-Endwell is also making an appearance in the state tournament this weekend at the Class A level – their second straight season at the final four.
Lastly, Afton saw Whitney Point during the regular season twice. The Crimson Knights lost both but the games were close throughout as Whitney Point won 2-0 and 3-1. Playing in the Class C semifinal game following the Crimson Knights are the Eagles from Whitney Point, who will be going for their fifth straight state title.
Field of dreams
This is the first time that Williamsville-North will be hosting the New York State Championships. After four years at Maine-Endwell and Vestal, the tournament moves to the Section IV school for the first of three years.
According to Judy Otto, the Section VI Field Hockey Coordinator, the experience and the environment will be unlike any other. “The venue is state of the art and unlike any other high school facility across the state,” said Judy Otto, Section VI Field Hockey Coordinator. “By having two fields side-by-side, all spectators will be able to observe two competitions at once as well as watching replays on the jumbotron.”
Key Players:
Both teams have a strong team throughout their entire roster. There will be, however, notable names in the game from both the Hornets and the Crimson Knights.
Lakeland
Julianna Cappello, Forward
While there are four players who have scored 10-plus goals this season on the Lakeland roster, Cappello is the leading scorer on the Hornets with 40 goals. She isn’t only a threat on scoring though. She also leads Lakeland with 23 assists.
Cappello has been held scoreless once this season – the Hornets’ 7-0 win over Bronxville. She did, however, find her teammates on two of the seven goals scored in the contest.
If the game is close in the final minutes of the game, Lakeland will look to find her. Cappello tallied the game winning goal in two games this season for the Hornets, including their 1-0 win in the regional finals against Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake.
In her senior season, Cappello will be attending Quinnipiac next fall.
Kellie Smith, Goalkeeper
Lakeland’s midfield and defense are strong, allowing Smith to have it somewhat easy during games. She has only been shot at 26 times all season long, the most being six times in one game. Smith has stopped 17 of those, only allowing seven to reach the back of the cage.
Starting in all 21 games for the Hornets, Smith has recorded 16 shutouts as the keeper. She does have teammate Miranda Lopes as a back up. Lopes has seen a lot of time as the second-team goalie but has only seen one shot in her appearances between the posts.
With Afton’s abilities to create many offensive opportunities and penalty corners, Smith could be tested Saturday. She could very well see the most shots she has in a single game this year. It will depend on her defense in front of her.
Emily Kness, Midfielder
A menace on both sides of the ball, Kness allows for some of the focus to come off of her teammate and leading scorer Cappello. Afton can’t take their eyes of of Kness as she can create opportunities on offense but can make the play on defense as well.
Kness is the fourth leading scorer on the Hornets roster but she has the eye for her teammates. Second on the team in assists with 18, the Colgate committed midfielder is an offensive threat that the Crimson Knights will have to be ready for.
While being a huge part of the offense for Lakeland, Kness has a defensive mind to her as well. It may not be a stat that is recorded but she is known for controlling the middle third of the field. Kness is a large part of why opposing teams do not get very many shots off in a game.
Afton
Madison Baciuska, Midfielder
Baciuska is the Crimson Knights go-to on offense, scoring 21 goals this year. However, teams know about her abilities – even Lakeland. In fact, Hornets’ head coach Sharon Sarsen and her players have seen the Baciuska, Janelle Volk and most of Afton’s squad in club action over the summer.
Sarsen knows Volk will be unavailable for the contest as she is with a torn ACL. She will be able to focus her defense on Baciuska but can’t lose sight of others on the field as the Crimson Knights’ midfielder can share the ball. The Wake Forest commit has 10 assists on the season as well and just like Cappello, makes the pass to the open player.
Jordan Nichols, Goalkeeper
Nichols will see shots from Lakeland’s offense, no doubt about that. She however, can handle it. While there isn’t a current stat available for how many shots have been taken against Nichols this season, you can bet with the teams on Afton’s regular season schedule, it’s a decent number.
That stat doesn’t phase Nichols as she is very athletic, making big saves when she is in front of the cage. She has only allowed 13 goals past her this season. Against the four Section IV teams named earlier, she has given up no more than three in a single game.
Nichols has recorded nine shut out victories this season, including one against Maine-Endwell. In the 3-2 loss against M-E, she stopped 10 shots from passing.
Stopping a total of 63 shots this season, Nichols averages 3.94 saves per game. That number could very well be higher on Saturday but with her keeper IQ, Nichols’ play in front of the net will be a key part of the game.
What next for the winner?
The victor of the semifinal matchup will take on the winner of the between Pittsfield-Mendon (Section V) and Garden City (Section 8), a game being played at the same time.
Pittsfield-Mendon was team in the final four a season ago but lost to Vestal in the semifinal round, 2-1.
The Class B New York State Championship will be played the following afternoon on Sunday at 12:30 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased prior to the Saturday event for $8 at www.gofan.co or at the gate the day of the event for $10. A new ticket must be purchased for the championship game Sunday.
The game will also be broadcasted on www.nfhsnetwork.com/associations/nysphsaa.
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