In the most colossal non-conference field hockey showdown in New York this year, Sachem East hosted Garden City Monday afternoon for a Columbus Day battle.
The Trojans (9-1) and Flaming Arrows (10-0) each entered the contest undefeated, but only Sachem kept its goose egg in the loss column after beating Garden City, 1-0.
Sachem, defending state championships, was spurred to the victory when Cara Trombetta scored on a tip off a shot from her big sister, Katie Trombetta.
The Trojans, who lost in the Class B state final last season, came into the game having beaten perennial power Ward Melville, 2-1, Friday, but Sachem’s shutdown defense is about as good as any team will get in the state.
“We wanted to test ourselves against a strong team and Garden City is an amazing challenge,” Sachem East coach Tina Moon told Newsday. “They’ve won big games consistently over the years, and that’s something we want to be able to do.”
Sachem plays again Wednesday on the road at Newfield, and Friday at Smithtown East.
RELATED: PHOTOS: View full MaxPreps photos from Bob Sorensen
RELATED: PHOTOS: See more images from Monday’s game vs. Garden City
-Words by Chris R. Vaccaro
-Photos by Bob Sorensen … to view more Sorensen photos, CLICK HERE, or see his MaxPreps gallery from the game