Carle Place advances to Class C field hockey state semifinal
Carle Place celebrates their victory over Rondout Valley in the New York State Southeast Regional Class C field hockey final in Accord, N.Y., on Sunday. Credit: Allyse Pulliam
ACCORD, N.Y. — Maria Norman knew that the only way was up.
Norman sent a pass from Marisa Terrone soaring in the air over a crowd of players and into the net for a key insurance goal in the second half of Carle Place’s 2-0 victory over Rondout Valley in the state Class C field hockey regional final on Sunday.
Carle Place (12-5) advances to play Hoosick Falls (19-1) in the state semifinals on Saturday at Centereach High School.
“There were so many defenders with their sticks on the ground,” Norman said about her goal with three minutes left in the third quarter that extended a 1-0 lead. “I knew they wouldn’t be able to reach it if it went up high.”
Norman also scored midway through the first quarter to give the Frogs a 1-0 lead. Senior forward Mia Babino slid a perfect pass from outside the post to Norman who grounded herself in front of the goal before she sent the ball down the middle past the keeper’s stick.
“Without [Babino] making such a clean pass and getting the ball into the circle, I wouldn’t have been able to have that opportunity,” Norman said. “But I made the most of it.”
“We’ve all been working so hard to get here,” Babino said “I wanted to do everything I could to get the ball in the goal.”
Rondout Valley (15-3) didn’t let the Frogs score easily, but Carle Place knew that this game was going to require adjusting. Senior midfielder Olivia Docyk and sophomore defender Luna Coronel were up and down the field intercepting passes that helped preserve the shutout.
“Our defense doesn’t struggle with shutting down passes,” Carle Place coach Elissa Frein said. “We faced an unfamiliar opponent, but we know that applying pressure and staying on the ground is our strength.”
Rondout Valley was awarded a penalty stroke with five minutes remaining in the game. Goalkeeper Megan Rice made the crucial save as she jumped up and deflected the ball with her pads. Rice totaled five saves for the Frogs.
“This means everything to them,” Frein said. “I couldn’t have asked for a better season.”
