Sports

Rye bows out in semis

Coming into their May 23 Class B semifinal game against Yorktown, Rye’s lacrosse team knew it faced a daunting test in the Huskers, who came into the season as one of the favorites to nab a sectional crown. And although the No. 3 seed Garnets controlled the game in the first half, Yorktown came alive in the second to send Rye packing and escaped with a 9-7 win.

Molly DeCaro fires a shot on goal against Yorktown on May 23. DeCaro had two goals in Rye’s 9-7 Class B semifinal loss to the Huskers. Photo/Mike Smith
Molly DeCaro fires a shot on goal against Yorktown on May 23. DeCaro had two goals in Rye’s 9-7 Class B semifinal loss to the Huskers. Photo/Mike Smith

The Garnets looked crisp in the early portions of the game, dominating the time of possession and heading into halftime with a 5-3 lead over the favorites. But the Huskers scored the first four goals of the second half to take a two goal lead, one that they would protect for the remainder of the game.

According to Rye coach Dennis Hurlie, the Huskers’ comeback came as no surprise, but the fact that the Garnets were able to withstand the barrage and tie the game with less than five minutes to play speaks volumes about his team’s discipline.

“I think that everyone watching thought that Yorktown was going to make a run and blow the game open,” he said. “But they didn’t because we kept playing well, we kept competing and fighting for draws.”

Yorktown’s Julia Cook had two goals, including one with 3:30 left to play that broke a 7-7 tie, while Rye’s offense was led by Amanda Hartzell, who notched a hat trick, and Molly DeCaro, who had two goals.

Rye’s defensive unit did a terrific job limiting an explosive Huskers’ team filled with players who will be going on to play Division I collegiate lacrosse.

“Defensively, we were fantastic, and we have the best goalie in the section [in Micheline DiNardo,” Hurlie said. “But in any game, there are going to be a few breakdowns and a few bounces and a few calls, but I thought we played really well overall.”

With the win, the Huskers will go on to play Somers in the Class B final on Thursday, May 26, after press time, at Mahopac High School and the Garnets will be forced to look ahead to next season.

“For Yorktown, that’s a team with their sights set on a state title and nothing less,” Hurlie said. “We showed that when we show up and play like we did today, we can compete with just about anybody.”

As for next year, the head coach hopes that the lessons his team learned this year will lead to growth in the future.

“It could be a blowout loss, a close one like today or winning it all, it should always be motivation to get back and be better,” he said. “Like always, we’re going to need people to make an effort to put the work in between now and next March to be better.”