Lakeland Field Hockey Wins 7th Straight NY State Title

Lakeland made it seven state titles in a row on Sunday (November 15) with a 4-1 victory over Long Island’s Garden City. It was Lakeland’s 10th State Title all under Coach Sharon Sarsen.

Lakeland finished 22-0. It was Garden City’s first loss. They also lost to the Hornets in the championship game in 2014, 3-1.

It was Dana Bozek’s fifth state title. Lakeland has not lost to a New York State team 2008.

Garden City will be glad to see Bozek graduate. Bozek’s first start, as an 8th Grader, came in that year’s championship versus Garden City, also won by Lakeland. Ironically only one member of this year’s team has lost a varsity game - Bozek. As a freshman, she was on the team that lost to a team from Connecticut.

The lone goal of the first half by Bozek came at 23:48. Junior Meghan Fahey’s goal at 28:25 gave Lakeland a 2-0 lead early in the 2nd half after.

However, the majority of the game was played in Lakeland’s end as the LHS’s outstanding defense shut down Garden City until late in the 2nd half. Led by Julie Kim, Lakeland shut down Garden City’s Michaela Bruno.

Off a corner, Bozek fed senior Valerie Perkins and Fahey then put home the rebound less than two minutes into the second half to give the Hornets a 2-0 lead at 28:25. The final goal was put in by Briana Muniz at 17:20 of the second half.

Named to the All Tournament team were Bozek, Goalie Madison Beames, and Mia Lennon.

Beames made a spectacular stop late in the second half. She gave up just one goal in three state championship games including shutouts against Vestal HS (Regional finals) and Brighton HS (semifinals). She recorded five saves in the game against Garden City.

On Saturday (November 14), Lakeland HS defeated Brighton HS 7-0 in a NYS Class B state semifinal on Saturday, Nov. 14.