John Jay field hockey rolls into post-season tournament

Callan Keeley scored the game-winning goal in overtime for a 1-0 John Jay victory at Yorktown. Recorder file photo

By JIM MACLEAN 

It was a perfect week to end the regular season for the John Jay varsity field hockey team as the Wolves scored three-straight victories.

The big one came last week in a tough 1-0 overtime win on the road at Yorktown, and John Jay followed that up with an 8-0 victory over Pelham before wrapping up the regular season with a 7-0 win at home over North Salem on Monday, Oct. 20.

With the three victories, John Jay improved to 12-4 overall to earn the No. 4 seed in the Section 1 Class B Championship tournament. The victory over Yorktown was a big one in terms of seeds for the post season, earning John Jay a chance to be at home as the number four seed for the quarterfinals, where the Wolves could end up facing Yorktown once again.

In the victory over North Salem, John Jay put on an impressive display with five different players scoring a goal for the Wolves and the defense earning the shutout.

“This was our last game of the regular season and we played a beautiful game of field hockey,” said John Jay coach Debbi Walsh. “On attack, we have multiple scorers in most games which makes it difficult to defend us. The midfield and front line are finding each other, which is making our ball movement quick and crisp. Defense has kept us in the tough games and with McKenzie Ryder in goal we have a solid unit in the back. We don’t plan to sit back now, and we will bring our best game to the post season.”

Finja Degl scored two goals and assisted on another to lead the Wolves. Callan Keeley scored a pair of goals, and Caitlin Brennan scored a goal and had two assists. Harper Christian and Catherina Natko each scored a goal, while Sophia Shaw had two assists.

Ryder needed to make just one save to earn the shutout victory.

John Jay hosted Pelham on Saturday, Oct. 18, and the Wolves dominated from start to finish to secure an 8-0 win. Keeley had the hat trick with three goals scored, and she also had an assist for the Wolves. Degl scored a pair of goals and added an assist. Brennan scored a goal and had an assist. Natko and Anna Kringis each scored a goal for John Jay, and Christian and Shaw each had an assist.

Ryder made seven saves in goal for the shut out.

The big test for the week came at Yorktown and it was a back-and-forth thriller, as both teams knew what was at stake. It was 0-0 at the end of regulation, with Ryder making eight big saves and the defense standing tall in front of her.

In overtime, Keeley used her speed and scored the game-winning goal to give John Jay the 1-0 victory, and the home-field advantage if the two teams advance to the quarterfinals in the playoffs.