Barker nips Akron in key field hockey game

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 4 October 2018 at 8:37 pm

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Barker’s Katrina Clare works to get the ball by Akron’s Sophia Jones during the Lady Raiders key home field win this afternoon.

Avenging an earlier season 2-1 overtime loss, Barker edged past rival Akron by the identical margin of 2-1 this afternoon in a key Niagara-Orleans League field hockey match-up of defending co-champions.

The victory keeps Barker tied for first place at 8-1 with Roy-Hart which blanked Newfane 6-0 as Akron drops two games off the pace at 7-3.

Barker grabbed a 1-0 lead in the first half as Katrina Clare scored at 14:23 off an assist from Rachel Hurtgam.

Akron, which was unable to capitalize on a 7-1 advantage in corner opportunities in the first half, finally took advantage of their first corner of the second half as Sophia Jones tallied at 23:13 to knot the contest.

Barker though answered right back seven minutes later when Emily Wagner scored what proved to be the game winning goal at 15:46 during a pileup in front of the Akron cage.

Paige Sandolfini came up with several key saves in goal for Barker as a total of 11 corner opportunities helped Akron keep good pressure on..

In Roy-Hart’s win Ashley Hill scored 2 goals for the Lady Rams as Jenna Gioeli, Stephanie Flowers, Sam Choate and Justine Laverty each netted 1. Hill and Lexie Lovewell both chipped in with a pair of assists.

Jamie Bower earned the shutout in goal for the Lady Rams.

Roy-Hart next visits Akron next Tuesday. The Lady Rams will also visit Barker in the league finale on October 16.

The Medina at Kenmore game was rescheduled for Friday.

In a non league game, Wilson blanked Nichols 2-0 on goals by Emily Mucio and Olivia Mocarski.