Garden City earns its fourth consecutive Class B LI field hockey title

As Garden City field hockey player Emerson Goettelmann began packing her bags at Berner Middle School, sophomore Grace Brantuk embraced her in a hug from behind.

It wasn’t to comfort the head captain. It was to show appreciation for a day that Goettelmann and the rest of the Trojans won’t soon forget.

Garden City won its fourth straight Class B Long Island title in a 2-1 win over Harborfields Sunday. Goettelmann’s stick made the difference as she scored both goals for the Trojans, including the game winner with 4:34 remaining in the fourth quarter.

“It felt so good,” Goettelmann said. “After that first goal I thought: ‘Wow, we can definitely win this game.’ But then they scored to level the score, so I knew we had to score again. And I did that.”

“I love that we never gave up,” added senior goalkeeper Maddie Mitchell.

Harborfields had numerous chances and played a tight game. After Goettelmann scored the opening goal three minutes into the third quarter, Harborfields’ Olivia Eusanio equalized ten minutes later with a thunderous shot.

The Tornadoes had thirteen penalty corners to Garden City’s six, but Garden City managed to block or deny most of their scoring opportunities against a Tornadoes team that had scored 24 goals in its past four games. Garden City coach Lauren Lavelle attributed the success to her team’s attention to game film.

“We made sure we knew exactly who to mark and where to go, and how to close out their play,” Lavelle said.

“There are 16 seniors, so it really means a lot to all of us,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell finished with four saves, including a diving stop in the second quarter after an opening save that could have given Harborfields an early lead.

“I tried not to think about the pressure,” Mitchell said. “So I kept my mind clear, focused on the next shot and made the saves.”

Garden City has won the Long Island Class B title at the end of all but two seasons since 2006. Mitchell mentioned the “high standard” Garden City has set for itself, something both Lavelle and Goettelmann agreed with.

“We have so much motivation,” Goettelmann said. “Our coaches build us up. They know we can win, so they help us believe we can win, and we just get it done.

The Trojans travel to Arlington High School at 9 a.m. Saturday for the state semifinal against Section II’s Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake. And if you’re wondering if Garden City is excited to compete again, just ask Mitchell.

“I think they should be careful!” Mitchell laughed. “Don’t underestimate us.”