By Jaclynkelli Kronemberg
TopLaxRecruits.com; Posted 6/2/13
HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. – Justin Guterding collected three goals and one assist, propelling defending State Champion Garden City to its fourth straight Class B Long Island Championship Saturday, a 9-4 victory over Miller Place at Hofstra University.
The Trojans (17-3), ranked No. 19 by TopLaxRecruits.com, have a date with 21-0 and second-ranked Niskayuna (Section 2) in Wednesday’s state semifinals at Marist College at 3:30 p.m.
“Any time you can advance to the final four you have had a tremendous season,” said Garden City coach Steve Finnell. “We are excited for the opportunity Wednesday.
“We are going to have a real tough game on Wednesday against the undefeated Niskayuna. Miller Place has an outstanding goalie (Matt Liantonio); one of the best I’ve seen, and they are a good team. We knew this was going to be a tough match up and a tough game.”
Garden City led 1-0 after one quarter, but went on a 4-0 run to open a 5-0 lead. The Panthers (14-6) pulled within 5-2 before halftime, but Garden City stretched the lead to 7-2 in the third quarter.
“This feels amazing,” said Cody George, who added two goals for Garden City. “We knew Miller Place was going to be a good team and we had to come out and play hard. Our offense and defense played great today and if we keep playing like that we will do fine.”
Lucas Clay added two goals for Garden City, while Dan Dolan made four saves in goal.
“(It’s) unbelievable to win four straight; this one means the most because of the seniors,” said Guterding. “We played nervous in the first quarter so the captains talked to the rest of the players and told them to be loose and have fun.
“We are pretty confident going forward, everyone is playing well and we are just having fun out here.”
Liantonio made nine saves and had one assist and James Nielsen, Jake Buonaiuto, Ryan Callahan and Austin Yezarski had one goal each for Miller Place.
“We played an excellent team,” said Miller Place head coach Keith Lizzi. “They are the defending state champions. I am happy with our effort and the way we were able to go out and fight. They have some great players; hats off to them.”
Garden City 9, Miller Place 4
GC: 1-4-2-2-9
MP: 0-2-0-2-4
Garden City: Justin Guterding 3G, 1A; Cody George 2G; Lucas Clay 2G; Ed Blatz 1G; Dale Stasco 1G; Jack Metzler 2A; Kyle Skramko 1A
Miller Place: James Nielsen 1G; Jake Buonaiuto 1G; Ryan Callahan 1G; Austin Yezarski 1G; Matt Liantonio 1A
Saves: Dan Dolan (GC) 4; Matt Liantonio (MP) 9
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