ENDWELL – The first game of the regular season, back on August 25, included the Whitney Point Eagles and the Afton Crimson Knights. Afton took the win over the defending New York State Champion Eagles, winning 3-2.

Gaining a second chance against the Lady Knights, Whitney Point took full advantage on the biggest stage – the Section IV Class C field hockey championship game – pulling off the 4-0, shut-out win over No. 1 Afton.

Afton, only losing one game prior (to Class A champions Maine-Endwell), had not been shut-out this season. But Whitney Point keeper Emma Morgan wasn’t about to let one go past her, stopping four of Afton’s six shots on goal.

The other two Crimson Knight shots went just wide.

A crucial point in the contest was when Afton’s stand-out Madison Baicuska had to sit out due to a tripping call. The Lady Knights had to play without her and played down a player for the time allotted of the penalty.

While having the advantage, the Eagles scored their first of the night with 17:41 left in the first half as Cassidy Sturdevant took a penalty corner and placed the ball in the middle of the crease. Leanne Bough took the pass and fired a shot past Afton’s keeper Jordan Nichols.

Afton did have their opportunities. The first coming from a penalty corner as Jannelle Volk received the pass from her teammate and fired a shot at the goal but Morgan made the stop and the Eagles got the ball out of harm’s way.

Nearly tying the game at half, Afton’s Mackenzie Hoyt sent a shot to the near post but again Morgan came up with the save.

Whitney Point took the 1-0 lead into the intermission.