Fall Review: Lakeland Field Hockey is No. 1

One of the best areas in the state for high-school sports is the town of Yorktown. That was proven again this fall.

Lakeland's girls soccer and Yorktown's boys soccer squads both qualified for the postseason. Lakeland's volleyball and Yorktown's field hockey teams each earned a postseason win and Yorktown's girls soccer team rebounded from a losing record in the regular season to win two playoff games.

Yorktown's volleyball and football teams along with the Lakeland boys soccer squad all earned the prestgious honor of being league champions during the regular season and final four teams in the sectionals. Both Yorktown and Lakeland, under the umbrella of Lakeland/Panas, each had outstanding cross country performers as well.

The ultimate winner was the Lakeland field hockey squad, which finished with a 21-0-1 record and won back to back state championships when it beat Garden City 2-0 in the state Class B title game.

In the legendary history of the Lakeland athletic department, it was for the first time that one of its teams won state titles in consecutive seasons. For the field hockey squad, its the fifth state championship as the Hornets also won state titles in 1990, 2003, 2006 and 2009.

"It was awesome winning the state championship two consecutive years," Lakeland coach Sharon Sarsen said. "As Emma Bozek mentioned, we lost four amazing seniors last night, but we have a hard working corp that found a way to get it done again!"  

Awesome defense

The defense was the best part of  the team according to Sarsen. Led in goal by Amanda DiDomizio, the entire defense including Chelsea Remling, Emily Alicea, Allie O'Mara and Courtney Stokes played consistently and intelligently throughout the fall, especially the postseason.

"To shut out our opponents for six straight playoff games was impressive," Sarsen said. "The offense was able to do what they did due to the defense shutting down their opponent and creating opportunities out of our defense."  

DiDomizio was awesome this fall according to Sarsen and while she will be missed, the Lakeland coach feels she has another winner in goal next year in junior Krista Servedio. 

"Krista is ready for the challenge to be our starting goalie next season," Sarsen said. "Amanda's work ethic, responsibility, maturity and leadership were so evident all season long. She had such presence and such quickness and a great skill set."

DiDomizio recorded 37 shutouts in her two years as starting goalkeeper and always stepped up in big games as evidence by two state championships and a gold medal in the Empire State Games.

Remling was the defender who kept it all together for the Hornets. She did this with her ability to shut down opponents one on one. Her ability to work the ball out of the backfield was crucial, Sarsen said. Remling's quickness and skills have allowed her to be the dominant player she was.

"The only starting defender that returned, Chelsea stayed patient and was instrumental in our success," Sarsen said. "She led the defense and they followed. She took all of our free hits and her decision making and vision really opened up offensive opportunities for us. She also became such a big part of our offensive corner attack, which was such a big weapon for us this season." 

Courtney Stokes was one of the surprises of this season, according to Sarsen. Although she started most of the games at the end of last season as a midfielder, Stokes' ability to communicate and stay poised as Lakeland's sweeper was great. 

"Courtney made numerous saves and worked extremely well with Amanda, our goalkeeper," Sarsen said. "Her skills improved this season and she was a top defender all year for us. Courtney was so motivating on the team too!" 

Goldblatt and Schultz shine

Goldblatt matured so much in her four years with the Hornets, Sarsen said. Goldblatt had what Sarsen termed a "team first" attitude, doing whatever it took to win.

Goldblatt could play any position and contribute to it. Her ability to play both offense and defense gave Lakeland versatility in different games. 

"She was the quarterback to our attack," Sarsen said. "She broke down defenses and controlled the midfield. She was one of our most skilled players."  

Schultz was the catalyst for the Hornets, according to Sarsen. The Lakeland coach said her ability to "motor on" for 60 minutes each game created great opportunities for the Lakeland attack. 

"Her speed and quickness created mismatches and chaos for our opponents," Sarsen said. "Also a team player, Nikki's ability to play on both sides of the ball, gave us such a great center midfielder. Nikki is never beat. If you ran by her, she would work harder and redefend like crazy."  

Kayla Schmidt and Colleen Murray were also important to the Hornets' success.

"Kayla Schmidt was a forward who had excellent skill and strong finishing abilities," Sarsen said. "She read the game well and was very intelligent on the field. Kayla had some big goals in league play for us. Colleen Murray was a hard worker who played both forward and defense. Colleen worked hard both offensively and defensively for us, and gave us depth this season."

Scavelli and Bozek led Hornets offensively

Juniors Shannon Scavelli and Emma Bozek are two of the top forwards in the state who wrecked havoc on opposing defenses this fall and should again next season.

"They are both being recruited extensively by top Division 1 teams," Sarsen said.  "They are scorers, but also have developed into such great all-around players. Their ability to defend and also their ability to work together created such a great 1-2 attack for us."

While Scavelli and Bozek are the offensive stars, the Hornets will have plenty of others who should put them in position to win a third straight state championship next year. Next year Sarsen will look for Servedio, a well prepared athlete, to shine in goal. O'Mara was dominant at the end of this year and Sarsen expects that to continue next fall.

"Her game sense was always so strong, but now her skills have caught up and she will be a leader for us defensively next season," Sarsen said.  "She was amazing in our playoffs and state tournament."

Alicea brings to the field a solid work ethic and great ability.

"Emily Alicea is a hard worker who became a solid defender on our team this year, her quickness and perseverence really benefitted us in the bakcfield," Sarsen said. "She can also be a great defender next season. Also, Gianna Bensaia really came into her own. She is confident now and so very skilled. She had such a dominant final-four tournament." 

AWARD WINNERS

All-Elite: Amanda DiDomizio, Chelsea Remling, Nikki Schultz, Leanne Goldblatt Shannon Scavelli and Emma Bozek.

All-Elite Honorable Mention: Courtney Stokes and Gianna Bensaia  

All-League: Nikki Schultz, Amanda DiDomizio, Leanne Goldblatt, Chelsea Remling, Shannon Scavelli, Emma Bozek, Gianna Bensaia and Courtney Stokes  

All-League HM: Allie O'Mara