Hackley (17-4) and Rye Country Day (16-3) were tied at 7-7 in the New York State Association of Independent Schools championship game at Randalls Island, but Hackley fell to RCD 10-7.
"The first three quarters were what you would expect a championship game to be," Hackley coach Chris Arnold said. "We got an ahead a little bit, they came back, it was back and forth. We made two good plays then they would make two good plays. It was just a lot of good lacrosse by both teams on the field."
Unfortunately for the Hornets, RCD just converted a little bit more.
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"I think they made a couple of good plays," Arnold said. "They just had a little bit more in the tank and they had a little bit more experience on the field. We had a phenomenal game from our seniors yesterday and from our younger players. They made the right plays at the end and took advantage of their opportunities a lot more than we did."
Leading the Hornets in the state title game was Teddy Seem, Chris Starr and Sam Dardani with two goals apiece. Jibran Ahmad registered a goal and an assist with Austin Pidoriano recording an assist. Providing the leadership, as they have all year were co-captains Seem, a junior, and Starr, a senior.
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"They did everything you would want from a captain," Arnold said. "Chris played his usual tough game at attack. He made huge plays, got groundballs, great dodging. Teddy was going against easily the best face-off guy (Chris Seter) I have seen in four or five years. Teddy did a great job, came up with some big plays. He left it all out on the field, he had nothing left to give."
As for Dardani, he is just a freshman who's on the verge of stardom.
"Sam played a very mature game," Arnold said. "He had two goals and a couple of other chances but their goalie came up with some outstanding saves. It was great goaltending on both ends. He also had some great looks. He's not there yet but he's very close to being a complete player."
Making 11 saves in goal for Hackley was Mike D'Alessio.
"Mike was fantastic," Arnold said. "He made all the saves you expect him to make. Both goaltenders were responsible for keeping the game close."
Considering over half its players that saw significant playing time were freshman or sophomores, it's a good bet Hackley will be playing for a state title again next spring.
"I think going forward once the sting of losing in the championship game fades, everyone on the team should be very proud of themselves," Arnold said. "I am proud of them in what they accomplished in winning an Ivy League championship and making it to the state championship game."
Girls lose to Portledge
After winning their fifth state title in the last six years a year ago when it beat Portledge in overtime, Hackley's girls lacrosse squad (17-4) fell to Portledge (16-2) in this year's title game 10-6.
Portledge earned the championship on the strength of a first half where it outscored Hackley 9-3.
Leading the Hornets was Trish Gorman, who tallied four goals. Sara Cassidy (one goal), Perri Weiss (one goal), Haley Greenburg (two assists), Allie Piscina (one assist) and Kelly Gorman (eight saves) all contributed to the Hornets' effort.
