Remsen's lone shot ends Knights' year

CARTHAGE — The Copenhagen girls soccer team produced two quality scoring chances during the second half of Wednesday's Section 3 Class D semifinal at Carthage Central School.

But Remsen goalie Brittany Shew slapped away both of them, foiling the third-seeded Golden Knights' laborious comeback attempt, as the No. 2 Rams clung to a 1-0 victory that earned them a berth in Saturday's final at SUNY Cortland.

Ashley O'Connor accounted for the game's only goal in 34th minute on a high offering from about 30 yards. The ball floated in the cold air long enough to freeze Copenhagen goalie Lindsey Fitzpatrick for just a few seconds, and finally dropped in to the net. It was the only shot on goal in the game for the Rams (15-2), who'll play No. 1 McGraw for the sectional title.

"We're going to come back strong next year," Knights' forward Sara Hovendon said. "We're only losing two seniors. We're going to be a good team."

Hovendon emitted that optimism for the future while coping with the frustration that she didn't convert on either of her two equalizing opportunities.

The Golden Knights (13-4-1) forced Shew to make four first-half saves, but Hovendon's shots were the only two they managed during the final 40 minutes.

Coach Nancy Henry said she would have liked to see Hovendon shoot higher on net there, but also acknowledged the effort it took to even get open for a few seconds.

"They just smothered Sara after halftime," Henry said. "She was being checked pretty hard. We would have wanted to see a shot a little higher — maybe shoulder high — because the keeper committed early on the ground.

"We played so well tonight to have it come out 1-0. We just couldn't get it done."

The speed of freshmen twins Ashley and Erin O'Connor caused problems for the Golden Knights through the match. Even though Remsen didn't create a lot of shooting chances, it pressured Copenhagen's back line consistently, producing six corner kicks.

"They were strong and real fast," Hovendon said. "Especially on the left side. We tried to adjust to it."

Harley Montalvo nearly scored first for Copenhagen, blasting a shot from 30 yards that nailed the crossbar.

The Golden Knights will lose only midfielders Briana Moser and Sarah Joliff to graduation, while each of the other nine starters expects to be back.

"From where this team began, to now, we can't be sad," Henry said. "This is a nice team for next year."

BOYS SOCCER

HAMILTON 3, COPENHAGEN 0

On Tuesday, Dan Kraynak accounted for all three goals as No. 4 Hamilton ended top-seeded Copenhagen's season with a Section 3 Class D semifinal victory at Henninger High School in Syracuse.

Dan Meeks assisted the first two goals, and Mikey Jones set up the third successful scoring play.

Kinnon Nolan-Finkel made three saves for Hamilton (15-3-1).

Paul Sawyer turned away six shots in goal for Copenhagen (14-3-1).