Lady Raiders roll in Class C semifinal

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Barker’s Natalie Bruning heads for the goal as Carmela Huntington defends for Roy-Hart. The action took place during the Lady Raiders Class C semifinal sectional win this morning at Wilson.

Taking charge with a big second quarter scoring burst No. 2 seed defending champion Barker went on to defeat No. 3 Roy-Hart 6-2 in the semifinal round of the Section VI Class C field hockey playoffs this morning at Wilson.

Leading by a narrow 2-1 margin, Barker broke the contest wide open with three unanswered second quarter goals.

Barker’s Madison Gancasz winds up to advance the ball as Justine Laverty goes after it for Roy-Hart.

Addison Szafranski ignited the uprising with a goal just 3:30 into the quarter off a corner opportunity as Madison Gancasz earned the assist.

Natalie Bruning then scored on a rebound shot at the 5:58 mark and Rachel Sutter followed up with a goal with 1:15 remaining to give the Lady Raiders a commanding 5-1 lead at the half.

“That was good.”said Barker Coach Jeff Costello of the Lady Raiders big offensive uprising.

Roy-Hart did cut the deficit to 5-2 when Lexiss Diel scored eight minutes into the third quarter.

However, Barker got that one back three minutes later when Gancasz scored off a corner started by Ashlin Cole as Lena Fazzolari earned the assist.

Barker also got off to a quick start grabbing a 2-0 lead in the game’s first seven minutes.

Bruning opened the scoring off a corner opportunity started by Cole as Fazzolari again picked up the assist just 1:20 into the game. Kaedynce Schumacher followed up with a goal five minutes later.

Roy-Hart did pull to within 2-1 on a goal by Rebecca Berner off a corner with 6:51 to go in the quarter but the Lady Rams would get no closer.

Barker had trimmed Roy-Hart twice during the Niagara-Orleans League season by the identical score of 2-1 with the second meeting going to a shootout.

Improving to 12-1 Barker will now play in the Class C title game on Monday at a site and time to be announced against the winner of the No. 1 Akron vs. No. 4 Eden semifinals which is scheduled for 5 p.m. today at Alden.

Roy-Hart finishes the season at 7-5-1.

Roy-Hart’s Ashton Becker brings the ball up field as Addison Szafranski defends for Barker.