Lakeland Falls just Short in Bid for 14th NYSPHSAA Title
News Based on facts, either observed and verified directly by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
By Tony Pinciaro
Gabby Santini and her LAKELAND teammates heard the rumors prior to and during the season.
Even though the Hornets were 15-time defending Section 1 Class B field hockey champions, opponents were questioning Lakeland following the graduation of an excellent class.
“We feel like everyone kind of doubted us,” said Santini, who will attend the University of Vermont next fall and also play field hockey.
Well, it would be safe to say that Lakeland’s opponents were incorrect to believe the Hornets might take a step back. Instead, all Lakeland did was win an unprecedented 16th consecutive Section 1 Class B title. The Hornets then dominated Section 9 champion Our Lady of Lourdes to earn a return trip to the state final four, and then their first NYSPHSAA championship appearance since 2019.
Lakeland blanked Section 5 champion Pittsford-Mendon, 3-0, in the state semis on goals by Gabby and Gianna Santini and another from Emily Daniel. However, Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake (Section 2) defeated Lakeland, 3-0, in the state final at Arlington High School.
Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake also shut out Garden City (Section 8) in a semifinal. During Lakeland’s nine consecutive state titles (2009-2017), the Hornets beat Garden City five times in the state final. Lakeland finished the season with a 20-3 record.
Despite the final result, Santini and her teammates showed why Lakeland is still Section 1’s elite.
“We showed everyone what we are really made of by getting to the state final,” Santini said. “We also proved to ourselves and to everyone that we were getting better as the season progressed.”
Lakeland knew in order to repeat its off-season work was vital. So, Santini and her teammates made sure the stick was constantly in their collective hands.
“We just had to figure out where everyone would be position-wise, but after a few captains’ practices we were able to connect and this enabled us to do better on the field.
“I think we were a little timid and scared, but after a few practices in preseason we saw everyone gave it their all and everyone had improved from last year.”
Lakeland was rolling after an early-season loss to two-time New York State Class A champion Mamaroneck, but then John Jay-Cross River handed the Hornets a 1-0 loss.
Lakeland rebounded to return the favor to John Jay in the next meeting. The Hornets also had a scare from Rye before prevailing, 1-0, in overtime one week before sectionals.
Lakeland then marched through the first three sectional rounds before facing its greatest threat to its dynasty.
The Hornets and Horace Greeley were scoreless through regulation and two 7 v. 7, 10-minute overtimes. The Section 1 Class B title would come down to a shootout and freshman Aditi Parambath scored on Lakeland’s fifth and final shot, giving the Hornets the championship.
Along with winning another sectional crown and playing for a state title, Santini joined an exclusive Lakeland field hockey club when she surpassed 300 career points. Two-time state champion, U.S. Olympic team player and current Yale field hockey coach Melissa Gonzalez and current Somers’ coach Shannon Scavelli headline this 300-point group.
This was just another moment that made Santini’s senior year memorable.
“Getting there was amazing,” said the five-year varsity player of reaching 300 points. “This sectional title was special because it is my senior year and I got to play with my sister which was really amazing.”
Lakeland Coach Sharon Sarsen, a Westchester County Hall of Famer, was happy her crew had put itself back on the state’s grand stage.
“I think we recognized once we won sectionals that we were on a favorable side of the bracket, but we knew we would eventually run into Burnt Hills, who is by far the top team in the state,” Sarsen admitted. “We are so very proud of the effort our girls gave them. They battled.
“In the future, we just need to get more kids buying into Lakeland field hockey at the youth level,” she added.
If the future is anything like the past, Lakeland field hockey will remain a fixture on the state circuit.
Ray Gallagher contributed to this story
ANDY JACOBS PHOTOS
