Lake Region field hockey coach Dagny Leland tries to schedule a pre-season game with Leavitt each fall. This year it was rained out.
But in the first round of the Class B post season playoffs Wednesday, the Lakers drew that matchup with the Hornets, suddenly with a lot more at stake.
The Lakers came out on top, 2-1, but only after a back-and-forth struggle that could’ve gone either way. The reward is a Saturday match-up with Greely and that’s a rivalry with a rich history.
“We’re prepared,” said Lake Region’s Kayla Nowell, who assisted on Jessica Corson’s first-half goal, then scored one herself 13 minutes later (Lindsay Ward assisting). “We want to win so badly. Last year we knocked them out of the playoffs and we’re going to knock them out again.”
Two years ago Greely handed the Lakers a disappointing loss in the post season. And this season, the two teams split. Lake Region won 4-1 at the first meeting between the teams Sept. 15, then lost 2-1 two and a half weeks later.
“So I think it’s our turn again,” said Lake Region goal keeper Kristine Hamaty, who rose to the occasion Wednesday with big saves when Leavitt had flurries of scoring opportunities in both halves.
“This was the most nerve-wracking game we’ve played all season,” Hamaty said about the battle with Leavitt, which finished its season 11-4. “I couldn’t believe it. They played awesome.”
Leavitt’s Jessica Paladino knocked in the visitors’ only goal less than a minute into the second half. And the Hornets had plenty of chances after that, including a shot off the goal post four minutes later.
“But we played with our hearts,” said Corson. “We just don’t give up.”
Corson meant that literally. The Lake Region coaches had given their players tiny stone hearts to remind them where their strength comes from.
Several of the Lakers were also battling sickness the past week and that concerned Leland.
“But we did the things we needed to do this week and everybody went home yesterday and went to bed early,” Leland said.
And apparently a win over Leavitt was just what the doctor ordered.
“What these girls really needed right now was confidence,” Leland said. “This game really helped them gain that confidence and helped motivate us.
“It’s a new season now,” she said. “And in tournament time, anything can happen.”
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