No. 4 A 3 title season for Barker field hockey

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 1 January 2019 at 7:55 am

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Barker players and coaches celebrate capturing the Section VI Class C title.

It was a memorable three title season for the Barker field hockey squad.

The Lady Raiders first claimed the Niagara-Orleans League title going 11-1 and then captured the Section VI Class C title for the 13th time in the last 17 yard with a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Eden.

Trailing 1-0, the Lady Raiders pulled even on a goal by Katrina Clare with 14 minutes remaining and then netted the game winner on a tally by Natalie Bruning with just 20 seconds to go.

Barker also had a thriller in the Class C semifinal nipping N-O rival Akron 2-1 in overtime on a goal by Ciara Gregori.

Keeping the momentum, Barker then outlasted East Rochester with a come-from-behind 4-3  overtime to win the Far West Regional as Clare’s third goal of the game and her 30th of the season with just 1:30 to go in overtime earned the victory.

Advancing to the state semifinals for the fourth time in the last nine years Barker dropped a 5-0 decision to Carle Place from Long Island.

Ciara Gregorie and her Barker teammates claimed league, sectional and regional titles to gain a berth in the state semifinals.