PLATTSBURGH — There were smiles and tears. There was laughing, hugs and joking with each other because the ride was over, but they enjoyed the journey.
Yes, Ti fell to top-ranked Stillwater, 5-0, in a NYSPHSAA Class C Regional Final, but it didn’t diminish the season for Sentinels.
“I always say that with the Final Four: Three teams are going home from losing,” Ti head coach Tina Russell said. “So the fact that we made it this far, as you know, it’s just kind of icing on the cake, and the girls are excited. (It’s) great experience for them, and I’m happy for how the season ended for them.
“So even though today I was hoping for a little bit better score and maybe for us to get one in, but I’m happy and pleased. The girls are too.”
The Sentinels see four seniors — Maggie Price, Zowie Norton, MJ Drinkwine and Belle Burroughs — set to graduate but will have a core returning lineup to make a stronger run next year.
Ti goaltender Drinkwine couldn’t help but continue her humor, telling her team she was sorry for losing the game for them.
It was something Russell called “Classic MJ” that will be a hole to fill on next year’s team, but she hopes the success the team has had will be a building block for the future.
“They’re excited that they won sectionals,” Russell said. “It’s a big deal for Ti and, yeah, they’re already excited about coming back, and I’m hoping it will bolster the younger youth trying soccer.
“We went to sectional finals last year, and we won sectionals this year. I’m hoping that some of the younger kids want to come out and start playing soccer just so they can get the experience now, prior to coming up into the modified, and be building blocks for the program.”
Ti went toe-to-toe with Stillwater for 40 minutes, finding themselves trailing 1-0 at the break. The Warriors controlled possession, but the Sentinels didn’t hang with them as Stillwater’s Brooke Hodgson scored in the 27th minute.
But Ti wasn’t playing their brand of soccer. Russell said the girls wanted to play like they have all season.
“We came out in the second half, got some shots on goal, so that was good,” Russell said.
“And then things just happen. You know, they’re a good team. Stillwater’s passing is very good, you know, but it’s a great learning experience for this group of girls. Most of them will return next year.”
Stillwater scored four goals to put the game away in the second half. The runner up in last season’s state championship heads back to the Final Four.
While the season is over, the Sentinels have a lot to build on. Winning its first sectional title in 21 years, Ticonderoga will look to take another step next season.
Two years ago they made the sectional final. This year they made it one step further.
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Stillwater 5, Ticonderoga 0
SCS 1 4 – 5
TCS 0 0 – 0
First Half- 1. SCS, Hodgson (Coon) 27:04
Second Half- 2. SCS, Rubinstein (Perretta) :30. 3. SCS, Hodgson (Coon), 8:18. 4. SCS, Rubinstein (Hodgson) 17:08. 5. VanPelt, SCS, 26:42
Shots- Stillwater, 20-4
Saves- Liamero, SCS, 4. Drinkwine, TCS, 15