Field Hockey
Sweet Home wins Class A title on penalty stroke
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

Sweet Home's Lauren Peczkowski, left, and Williamsville North's Lucy Papia battle for the ball during Monday's Class A final at Amherst. Sweet Home won 2-1 after penalty kicks.

Sweet Home field hockey hadn't won a Section VI title since 2002 but that all changed Monday night at Amherst Central High School.

Alivia Ruiz scored the game-winning goal in penalty strokes as the Lady Panthers edged reigning three-time section champion Williamsville North, 2-1. Ruiz was the third of five penalty strokers for Sweet Home.

"She got a lot of power behind it and was able to hit the corner," said Sweet Home coach Dawn Kauderer-Kromer. "A great shot."

Sweet Home beat North for the title in 2002.

The game was scoreless until five minutes remaining in regulation when Chantae Miller put North ahead 1-0. Sweet Home tied it at 1-1 when Lauren Korniczky scored from Brianne Galli on a corner with no time left.

"Katie Mazuchowski was passing the ball out from the end line," said Kauderer-Kromer. She passed it up to Brianne who dished it to Lauren. Lauren got a great low shot off and it went in."

Sweet Home's Marisa Kelly hit the ball away from a charging Ainsley Stoll of Williamsville North. Also in on the play is Brianne Galli. Photos by Joe Eberle

The teams played two 10-minute overtime sessions. Each team had scoring chances, including a point-blank save on a penalty stroke by Sweet Home goalie Leann Stiver on Miller. Stiver finished with 31 saves.

"I'm just so proud of them," said Kauderer-Kromer. "They came into this game ready for the challenge and refused to give up. That's just the way they've played all season. We had a lot of close games throughout the season and kept fighting. For North to score with five minutes left and for us to still go out and fight for it and tie it up, says a lot about the girls. They went out to do it together. That's been a huge part of our success."

The October snowstorm cancelled the regular season match-up.

Sweet Home (15-1-2) plays Section V's Penfield at 5 p.m. Thursday at Amherst in the Far West Regionals.

Sweet Home and North advanced to the finals last Wednesday in different ways. North defeated Clarence, 5-1, while Sweet Home won a 3-2 double overtime thriller over Orchard Park. Mazuchowski scored the game-winning goal with 4:35 remaining in the second OT.

"Moneta (Kandakai) got a pass and started hitting up field, made a nice dodge around the defender, sent a pass across and Katie was right there to put it in," said Kauderer-Kromer. "It was a really nice play."

Ruiz (Sara Heron) and Lauren Peczkowski (Galli) put Sweet Home up 2-0 in regulation before Orchard Park's Deena Butryn and Emily Girasole tied it up late.

"Both teams played hard and aggressive," said Kauderer Kromer. "Even tough we came out on top, both teams really played well."

Stiver made 23 saves.

Sweet Home opened its playoff run with a 8-1 quarterfinal win over Kenmore West. The Lady Panthers led 4-0 at halftime.

Mazuchowski and Kandakai each scored two goals. Mazuchowski also had an assist. Galli and Danielle Gangi each scored a goal and added an assist. Peczkowski had a goal and two assists. Ruiz scored a goal.

e-mail: pnagy@beenews.com