CICERO – Greene is back in the same position it was last year, when its season came to a sudden end – in sudden-victory overtime no less.
The Trojans, bidding for their sixth state championship, defeated Rome Free Academy, 1-0, in the Class A state quarterfinals, Saturday at Cicero-North Syracuse High School.
The unbeaten Trojans (18-0) now face fellow unbeaten, Williamsville North (20-0), Friday at 3:30 p.m. at Vestal High School’s Dick Hoover Field in the state semifinals.
“It was a good test, and (Rome Free Academy) is a really good team,” said Greene coach Sue Carlin. “We had trouble generating things on a consistent basis. We were just missing on some of our passing connections.”
One occasion where the Trojans did not miss was just 70 seconds into the game. It was one of 13 penalty corners, and the play generated the game’s only score.
Freshman Jahna Driscoll sent a pass to senior Christine Conroe. Conroe wasted no time with the ball, and blasted a hard shot into the left side of the cage. It was a no-frills type of penalty corner for a Greene time that will often make two or more passes on a corner attempt.
“Chrissy probably has our team’s most powerful shot,” Carlin said. “I just heard (the ball) hit the boards in the goal when it went in.”
The Black Knights utilized hard free hits and the “big ball” to move into Greene’s offensive zone. Trojans keeper Devyn Staley made two saves for the Greene’s 15th shutout win in 18 games.
