Barker wins another thriller capturing Class C field hockey regional championship in OT

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Barker’s Katrina Clare, who scored three goals including the game winner in overtime, goes by East Rochester defenders Julia Michalski and Leah Griffin during the Lady Raiders Far West Regional victory this evening at Penfield High School.

Making it three straight dramatic come-from-behind playoff victories, Barker outlasted East Rochester 4-3 in overtime in the Class C field hockey Far West Regional this evening at Penfield High School.

Katrina Clare scored her third goal of the evening with just 1:30 remaining in the first 10 minute 7 on 7 overtime period to give Barker the thrilling victory and earn the Lady Raiders a trip to the state semifinals.

“Katrina put the team on her back,” said Barker Coach Jeff Costello whose Lady Raiders had to come-from-behind twice. “They just didn’t give up. They battled back first from being two goals down and then from being one down. They just never give up.”

Barker co-captains Katrina Clare and Ciara Gregoire and Coach Jeff Costello hold up the regional championship trophy.

East Rochester jumped out to an early 2-0 lead as Abby Weltman scored just six minutes in and then Emily Brock tallied with 12 minutes to go in the half.

Barker though came battling back.

The Lady Raiders first cut the deficit to 2-1 on a goal by Kaedynce Schumacher with 7:55 to go in the first half and then pulled even on a tally by Clare just 4:35 into the second half.

East Rochester quickly regained the lead at 3-2 when Welman scored just half a minute later.

However, Barker again answered the challenge as Clare retied the suddenly wild contest at 3-3 by scoring with 17:31 remaining.

Neither team could find the net again in regulation time though Barker put good pressure on in the final two minutes.

That set the stage for Barker’s third straight dramatic playoff win in a row when Clare scored with just 1:30 to go in the first overtime period, her 30th goal of the season.

The comeback was similar to Barker’s 3-2 win over Niagara-Orleans League rival Akron in the Section VI Class C semifinal when the Lady Raiders rallied from a 2-0 half-time deficit to nip the Lady Tigers in overtime.

Barker then needed a goal in the final 20 seconds by Natalie Bruning to nip Eden 2-1 in the Section VI Class C title contest.

Barker will now face the winner of the Long Island Regional (either Pierson of Section 11 or Carle Place of Section 8) in the state semifinals at 3 p.m. next Saturday at Williamsville North.

Barker’s Ciara Gregoire tries for a shot on goal as Lena Fazzolari supports.

Barker’s Kaedynce Schumacher tries to get around East Rochester defender Frankie Puglisi.