Lady Knights 12U lose in state finals

The Amherst Lady Knights 12U lost in the finals of the New York State Girls 12U State Championships. Members of the team, pictured from left - Lindsey Baldwin, Kate Miller, coach Koestler, Kelly Seward, Juliet Holme, Caroline Soh, Jocelyn Rizzo, Emily Koestler, Courtney Wesolowski, Rachel Grampp, Lizzy Viola, Caitlin Mitchell, coach Kochan, Amber Ried, Katie Frieh, Quinn Patrick, Claire Hartman, Cassandra Hopkins, Karli Weidner, and coach Hopkins.

The Amherst Lady Knights 12U lost 5-4 in five sudden death overtimes to Webster in the New York State Girls 12U State Championship finals on Sunday evening in Saranac Lake, N.Y.

The Lady Knights fell behind 4-1 after two periods but two quick Emily Koestler goals to open up the third period set the stage for Jocelyn Rizzo's game-tying goal with just 22 seconds left on the clock.

Coach Paul Koestler said his team gave it their all and will be remembered most for making great strides over the last two seasons.

The Knights beat Potsdam Lady Ice Storm (4-3), Brewster (6-0), Buffalo Hornets (4-0), and Mamaraneck (3-2 in sudden death overtime) to advance to the finals.

The Potsdam Lady Ice Storm was the top seed. Quinn Patrick, Kate Miller and Claire Hartman (two) scored the Knight goals, as the defense led by Kelly Seward, Lizzy Viola, Juliet Holme, Amber Ried, and Caroline Soh, kept the Ice Storm from tying it up. Courtney Wesolowski's last second save secured the victory.

In the Knights' second game, the Lady Knights easily handled the Brewster team. Seward, Miller, Katie Frieh, and Patrick's two goals were more than enough scoring. Wesolowski only had to make seven saves to preserve the shutout.

The Knights then defeated a pesky Buffalo Hornets squad. Miller and Hartman scored twice each. Wesolowski made 16 saves for her second straight shutout. Strong play from Rachel Grampp, Karli Weidner,

Cassandra Hopkins, and Lindsey Baldwin help keep the Hornets squad at bay and secured a spot in the semifinals against Mamaraneck on Sunday.

It took two sudden death overtimes, but Caitlin Mitchell's shot from the point made it through to the back of the net for the game winner against Mamaraneck, a New York City team. Emily Koestler and Hartman scored the other goals. Again, strong goaltending was the difference as Wesolowski had to make several key saves in overtime to keep the team alive.

The Knights season is not over. The team travels to London, Ont. to play the London Devilettes in the semifinals of the Southwest Girls Hockey League playoffs.