Field Hockey Powerhouses Face Off

It's the summer and a long way from November when state championships are determined in field hockey.

But it's always a treat when Lakeland, last year's Class B state champion and Mamaroneck, last year's Class A state finalist, go against one another.

They did just that Thursday evening at Putnam Valley High School in the Hudson Valley Summer Field Hockey League with Lakeland Green coming out on top 2-0.

Leading Lakeland Green to the victory was Leanne Goldblatt, who registered two goals, both coming in the first half.

"I showed up late so I knew I had to go out there and do something good or coach (Sharon Sarsen) was going to eat my head off," Goldblatt said. "I just saw open space and got the shot off when I could."

Goldblatt, who will be a senior next fall and is playing in the Empire State Games for the Hudson Valley squad, said her second goal came in much the same fashion.

"Again, I saw an open lane and started toward the goal, shot it and it went in," Goldblatt said.

Mamaroneck went into the game underhanded as many of its veteran players were at college camps. However Sara Hofmann, who will be entering her senior year for the Tigers in September, thought the game against Lakeland Green was a good opportunity for the younger girls to get experience against elite competition.

"With the younger girls it's definitely good to come here and have them have this experience," Hofmann said. "We have been here before and know that this is a good league to play in."

Hofmann herself did a good job creating some solid scoring opportunities in the second half but just couldn't get the ball by Lakeland Green goalie Amanda DiDomzio, who will also be on the Hudson Valley Empire State Games squad.

"We weren't finishing," Hofmann said. "It was just that one quick second that made the difference."

DiDomizio does numerous things that make her tough to score against.

"Amanda is amazing," Goldblatt said. "She is really poised. It doesn't matter if there are three girls coming on her and she has no defense, she's always poised and has her mind in the right place."

Also showing a lot of poise was Mamaroneck goalie Nina Kumar.

"Nina is a very focused goalie and she is very good," Hofmann said. "She stays on top of the ball. She communicates very well and I think that's what helps her out."

Both seniors felt getting the chance to play field hockey in the summer is a good experience for their respective squads.

"We made a lot of mistakes but that is what being here is for," Hofmann said. "It's about practicing and learning from the mistakes that you make."

Goldblatt thought that considering it was just Lakeland Green's second game in the summer league the team played well. She feels that as the summer goes on, her squad's play will only get better.

"This is good playing time for us because the more you practice the better you are going to get," Goldblatt said. "It's always good with the running too."