Leftovers: Nassau Class B Final

Here are some of the leftover items from the Nassau Class B game, which Garden City won, 14-12, over Wantagh. You can read the game story here.

Catherine Dickinson scored six goals, Alexandra Bruno added five goals and an assist, and Jenna Fuchs had a goal and four assists.

Trojans senior defender Liz Stutzmann
The strategic change in the defense in guarding Kaleigh Crag (who scored seven goals but was slowed late): “We stopped the fouls. We wanted to put a body on her because we were just going for the swings. Slowing her down in the midfield was big. A lot of double-teams.”

Winning another county championship: “It was a lot tougher than last year, with the number of players we lost. The five losses, we took as motivation and we’re determined to win a seventh state championship this year.”

Megan McDonald made nine saves in the win.
The game being so competitive and going down to the wire: “We like a little challenge; we want to make it interesting,” McDonald said with a laugh. “Wantagh is a fabulous team and it went back-and-forth, but we pulled through.”

On Dickinson, Bruno and Fuchs' performances: “They really showed their skills today and stepped up as leaders. I couldn’t ask for a better performance from them. [Dickinson] really made it known that she’s a top player and Bruno isn’t our only weapon... McT (Catherine McTiernan) played well, too.”

McDonald had some struggles early, giving up goals on bouncers off free-position shots. She did rebound and made a crucial save of a free position – on a low shot – with 9:13 left and Garden City hugging a 12-11 lead. “It’s not how many saves you make,” she said, “it’s when you make ‘em.”

Catherine Dickinson

Garden City rebounding from the 13-9 loss to Manhasset on May 9: “We learned a lot from that game and I think it actually helped us today.”

Where does this county championship rank among your four? “This is definitely the most rewarding. It’s my senior year and a lot of people didn’t think we could do it, and we did it.”

Alexandra Bruno

Fourth county title: “This is definitely the most rewarding one. We lost four games my freshman year, but I wasn’t really a key player on that team. This year, we had five losses and a lot of people doubted us. But in the playoffs, you can’t lose these games. We had to do everything we could to pull this win out.”

Bruno scored with 12:02 left to put the Trojans ahead, 11-10, and, with the score tied again, she got another with 10:14 left to give them a 12-11 lead they didn’t relinquish. “I knew my team needed me,” she said. “When we needed some goals at the end, I was more aggressive, because I hadn’t done too much before, but I knew I had to get the ball in the back of the goal.”

(Random question) If you had lost this game… “I would be devastated. But I’m glad I’ve never been in that situation.”

And a round of applause once more for the Trojans' fan club...