Amherst's three-peat bid over

Amherst Central's Sara Heidinger (4) fends off Iroquois' Carly Dintale during the Lady Tigers' 1-0 overtime loss in the Section VI Class B finals Monday at Amherst. Photo by Joe Eberle

Home field advantage could not help Amherst Central's bid to three-peat in Class B field hockey.

The Lady Tigers, who defeated Iroquois 2-0 in a shootout for last year's Section VI title, fell 1-0 in overtime against Iroquois in Monday's final at Amherst.

Iroquois junior Andrea Gryzwna scored the game-winning goal 2:10 in the first overtime on a corner. Rachel Sluberski had the assist.

"The girls were really pumped up to play in the sectional finals," said Amherst coach Jennifer Higgins. "We had a great scoring chance early but failed to capitalize. We struggled offensively, only recording two corners to Iroquois' 12."

Abbe Hogle made four saves for Amherst (11-3-1).

Iroquois will play Section V's Pittsford-Sutherland at 3 p.m. Thursday at Amherst in the Far West Regionals.

Amherst had to work overtime to advance to the finals, defeating Medina, 1-0, in double OT, on Oct. 31.

Robin McDonald scored the game-winning goal using reverse stick with 1:50 left in the second overtime. Sara Heidinger fed a pass across the mouth of the goal for the assist.

Higgins said her team came out flat in the first half, only recording one shot on goal but picked up play in the second half with nine corners and seven shots on goal. Four others went wide, she added.

"Overall, we had a solid game and were very proud of the girls," said Higgins. "The second half and OT was one of our best efforts of the season."

"Considering that we went to triple OT two days previous (beat Pioneer 3-2 in shootout), we were just glad to have legs left at the end of the game," she added. "The 7 aside OT is very taxing on the six field players who are out there."

Hogle made nine saves. Amherst defeated Medina, 5-0, in last year's semifinals.