Women’s lacrosse season ends with loss to Onondaga

Herkimer, NY – It was a game of two halves.  The Generals and Lazers were tied 4-4 near the end of the first half, but Onondaga pulled away after the break and won 16-8.

The scrappy Generals have had a fine season.  They entered their Region III semifinal game against Onondaga on Saturday with an 8-5 record, and were showing marked improvement as the season progressed.  They did, however, have two personnel setbacks for the game.  Strong midfielder Brittany Hohwald was returning from injury and would see limited duty.  Also, rapidly improving midfielder Courtney Hibbard was in Tucson for the tennis nationals.  Still, the #3-seeded Generals took the field ready to take on the #2-seeded Lazers.

It appeared that Herkimer had taken a 1-0 lead just five minutes into the game when talented Katie McGovern put a shot into the net.  However, a General had been in the crease, and the goal was disallowed.

The two teams were playing well and evenly until Herkimer scored at the nine minute mark.  McGovern passed from the left side to Dana Pohlig, who was in good position in front of the net.  Pohlig beat the OCC goalie, and Herkimer led 1-0.

Photo above:  Dana Pohlig shoots. Moments later she scored the Generals’ first goal.

Two minutes later, OCC scored on a well-played, length-of-field counterattack.  Then, 12 minutes into the game, OCC intercepted a Generals’ pass near the Herkimer goal and netted it for a 2-1 lead.

That lead did not last long.  Half a minute later Herkimer’s Hohwald and McGovern ran together for 50 yards, then McGovern passed to Hohwald, who scored, knotting the game at 2-2.

Photo:  Brittany Hohwald with a shot on goal

Play continued on even terms.  OCC took a 4-2 lead, but Hohwald scored again with 11 minutes remaining in the half.  Then, with three minutes remaining, McGovern had the ball behind the OCC net.  She passed out front to Danielle Hulslander, who fired it home and tied the game 4-4.

The game seemed to be heading for a halftime tie, but OCC managed to score with just 51.3 seconds remaining.   They owned a 5-4 lead at the half.

The Lazers took charge after the break.  Erin Walter scored two OCC goals in the third minute of play and the Generals were unable to even the score after that.  The Blue & White continued their offensive success, and the final score was 16-8.

The Generals ended their season with an 8-6 record, 6-3 in Region III play.  OCC now moves on to play Monroe CC in the regional championship game on Sunday.  The game will face off at 11:00 in HCCC’s Wehrum Stadium.

Photo below:  Jackie Jones attacks the OCC goal; Danielle Hulslander (18) is in position behind the net

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