Barker nipped in OT in state semi

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Barker’s duo of Brooke Bodine (7) and Olivia Denny (9) put pressure on Cazenovia goalie Kimber Nourse during early action of this evening’s state Class C semifinal at Cicero-North Syracuse High School which saw the Lady Raiders drop a 1-0 decision in double overtime.

CICERO – Unable to get the offense untracked Barker dropped a narrow 1-0 double overtime decision to Cazenovia in the state Class C field hockey semifinals this evening at Cicero-North Syracuse High School.

Starting midway through the first half, Cazenovia dominated play enjoying a whopping 13-2 edge in penalty corner opportunities.

In fact, it proved to a very lucky 13th corner which set up the Lakers lone goal of the game with 6:16 to go in the second overtime period on a shot by Ashley Kent.

“We gave them way too many corner opportunities and that last one finally got us,” said Barker coach Jeff Costello. “Defensively we played pretty well we just couldn’t generate any offense. We just could’t get anything going offensively.”

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Barker’s Gabby Clare (12) works the ball up field against Cazenovia defender Sarah Liddell (23).

Barker’s best scoring chances in fact came in the game’s first 18 minutes when the Lady Raiders got off three shots and had their only two corners.

Cazenovia goalie Kimber Nourse though came up with her one big save of the night to help turn back that early Barker pressure.

After that Cazenovia, which has captured the state title two of the last three years (2011 and 2010), had the upper hand offensively.

The Lakers had a 5-0 advantage in corners and a 4-0 edge in shots in the second half but Barker goalie Caitlyn Mason came up with three big saves, the last of which was a diving stop.

Again in the first 10 minute 7 on 7 overtime period Mason came up with another big diving save to keep the game scoreless.

“Caitlyn was just outstanding in goal for us. She saved us big time a number of times,” said Costello of his sophomore goalie who earned MVP honors.

Barker’s only threat of the first overtime came in the final seconds but the Lady Raiders couldn’t capitalize on the breakaway opportunity.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Barker goalie Caitlyn Mason came up with several big dividing stops to keep the Lady Raiders in the game. Lady Raiders defender Heather Mason (13), who earned the Sporrtsmanship Award, clears the ball.

Mason came up with two more big saves, including another diving stop, in the first four minutes of the second overtime period but Cazenovia finally made the huge edge in corner opportunities pay off then Kent found the net off an assist from Sarah Williard on lucky corner No. 13 to send the Lakers back to the state title contest.

Cazenovia will now face Pierson/Bridgehampton here Sunday afternoon for the Class C title. Pierson/Bridgehamption nipped Whitney Point 2-1 in a shoot-out in the other semifinal.

The appearance in the state semifinals was the third in the last four years for Barker which also dropped narrow one goal decisions in both 2012 and 2010.

Barker advanced to the semis by defeating East Rochester 1-0 in the Far West Regional while Cazenovia bested Hoosick Falls 2-0 in the Central Regional.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Barker players with their state semifinal certificates after the game.