Saratoga Gymnastics Wins

21st Consecutive Section 2 Title

UTICA — The final result wasn’t what they had hoped for, but it’s difficult to imagine a much better inaugural season for the Adirondack United varsity girls’ hockey team.

United fell to Section III’s Clinton, 2-1, in the NYSPHSAA Regional Final on Saturday, coming up just short of a state championship. Head coach Jeff Willis said it was an “incredible accomplishment” to reach the final game of the year.

“We’ve really made a name for ourselves,” said Willis. “More importantly, looking at things long-term, I wanted to develop a culture. Not only a team culture, but an attitude, a winning culture. We successfully did that.”

United finished their first season with an overall record of 19-2-0. The team advanced to Saturday’s final after defeating Canton (Section X) 4-1 in the regional semifinals on Friday.

United got out to a quick start in the semifinals, taking an early 2-0 lead on goals by Emily MacAuley and Lillian Willis. The Bears responded, with a 5-on-3 powerplay goal by Anna Hoose making it 2-1, but United answered with a goal by Bayley Duffy to take a 3-1 lead after the first period.

Neither team was able to score again until the final minute,