Carle Place can't break through in state Class C field hockey final

Carle Place had its chances for another dramatic win, but Whitney Point held on for a 1-0 victory Sunday in the state Class C field hockey championship game.

Fresh off their 2-1 overtime win over East Rochester on a goal by Elissa Frein, the Frogs (17-2) allowed the only goal with 12:23 left.

They had just two penalty corners all game, but both came in the last nine minutes.

Frein, with Sophia Urrutia's help, had a few chances to tie the score in the final minutes. None was better than a rocket she sent toward the cage from the right side of the circle. Danell Jones, who had five saves, dived and kicked the ball away.

Jones had the save of the day, but Lydia Rice (11 saves) played a nearly flawless game in goal for the Frogs. Whitney Point (20-1) applied pressure in the circle throughout the game, with 11 penalty corners.

"They're a great team and they had excellent passing," Rice said. "I thought with that and the amount of pressure they put on our defense they eventually would break through."

Rice, an All-Long Island goalie who made 103 saves this year, and Shannon McGuinness were the only two seniors on Carle Place's roster. "They're huge," coach Carol Nesdill said.

But Rice said she likes the prospects for next year's team. "I have total faith in them that they're going to make it back here," she said. "I'll come visit them and watch them play from the sideline."

This year's team has a special place in Nesdill's heart. The 11th-year coach said she never had brought a team to states before.

"I'll never forget this team," Nesdill said. "You saw it. I only have two seniors. You saw how tough we were. They never quit. Whitney Point was just a little better than us today."