GREENE – Greene racked up penalty corner after penalty corner, but was unable to find the right connections early on in Saturday evening’s Section IV Class A title game against Vestal.

A two-week layoff contributed to the Trojans’ scoreless first half, but any lingering game rust wore off in a hurry, and the torrent of offensive opportunities yielded three goals – two in the last 2 1/2 minutes in a 3-0 shutout of the Golden Bears.

It was the third win this year for Greene over Vestal, and the second straight year in which the Trojans needed to beat Vestal three times. The reward for a sixth straight sectional championship is a regional final contest back on the Trojans’ home surface this Saturday at 3 p.m. against the Section II champion.

“It was a hard-fought battle and Vestal played us tough,” Carlin said. “Once we got the rust off, we played much better.”

Greene found itself in Vestal’s circle from the opening minute, but struggled to put shots on goal. Vestal’s penalty corner defense was negating shots or forcing harmless deflections. Even Vestal defender Samantha Howe made a stick stop of a shot by Greene’s Jahna Driscoll right in front of the goal. The Trojans did not allow a shot in the first half – or the game – and had 10 penalty corners, but nothing to show for it on the scoreboard. “Every time we touched the ball, we had two or three (Vestal) players right there,” Carlin said. “Hats off to them. We just had to work through it and get quality shots. We were finally able to get a couple to go.”

On its 14th penalty corner of the game, Emily Conroe put the Trojans on the board. She took the pass from penalty corner inserter Emma Anderson, and blasted a hard shot into the cage for the top of the penalty circle with 18:10 left.

Vestal nearly answered less than 30 seconds later with its best scoring opportunity of the game, but a long crossing pass swept past Greene goalie Julia Amell untouched.

The Trojans added an insurance goal with 2:29 left in a quick transition play from defense to offense. Conroe sent a through pass up the middle of the field to Cathy Stahl, who fired in a shot from the right side of the penalty corner. “(Cathy’s) goal, that was some of the drill work from this week,” Carlin said. “Emily started it in the middle. We knew Vestal would be tough in the circle, so we had to use or midfield for offense.”

With just seven seconds left, Greene’s attack remained relentless. Brandee Schoonmaker’s shot from left of the goal cage was tipped in on the right side by Emily Gascon. “Our main thing today was staying composed,” Carlin said. “It’s tough playing someone three times in a season, and Vestal figured us out for a long time. We were able to put one in and get our offense rolling.”

The Trojans’ defense was led by Caitlin Bryce, who broke up a pair of Vestal advances, Colleen Dietrich was strong in the middle, and Conroe was “like a magnet,” Carlin said picking up possession of any ball near her stick.

Greene now can take aim at another state playoff run. The Trojans were eliminated in last year’s Class A state semifinals by Mamaroneck in a penalty stroke shootout.

“It’s still one win at a time, but we want to get back there and we want to finish it this year,” Carlin said. “We can’t dwell on what happened last year. We want to build on this year and hopefully have a better result.”

Box Score

Score by half

Ves. 0 0–0

Gre. 0 3–3

Goals-assists: (G) Emily Conroe, 1-1, Cathy Stahl, 1-0; Emily Gascon, 1-0, Brandee Schoonmaker, 0-1.

Shots-penalty corners: (G) 10-20, (V) 0-3.

Saves: (G) Julia Amell, 0. (V) Olivia Landry, 7.

Girls’ Swimming

Section IV Championships

Class B

OWEGO – Erin Gawronski won a Class B title for Norwich taking the 500-yard freestyle, and Norwich was third overall in the section to close out the 2011 season.

Gawronski, a high seed in the event, won in a time of 5:36.16. Gawronski was also the anchor on Norwich’s surprise second-place finish in the 200-yard medley relay. Gawronski teamed with Ravyn Benedict, Shannon Curley, and Kerstin Franklin to edge out Maine-Endwell.

“Our girls had some great races, and I don’t think M-E expected us to beat them,” said Norwich coach Amanda Downey. “Everyone swam their best times, and we’re looking good for the future.”

Class C

Jessica Brooks had the top overall finish for Greene, who placed seventh in the Class C sectionals this weekend at Owego.

Brooks, a senior, was third in the 100-yard breaststroke timing 1:04.69. The Trojans finished with six top-six finishes in the meet.