Story and Photos by Janet Schultz, NYHOL
The New York State Public High School Athletic Association Girls Varsity State Championship is in the books with Adirondack United taking the title for the second consecutive year.
Four teams took to the ice at the Utica University Nexus Arena this past weekend (Feb. 21/22) to vie for the title. In addition to ADK representing Section 2; it was Skaneateles, Section III; Frontier/Franklinville/LakeShore/Orchard Park (FFLOP), Section VI and Beekmantown, Section VII.
In the Semi-finals it was FFLOP vs Skaneateles with the Skaneateles Lakers opening the scoring in the last 5 minutes of the first period. Layla Smith scored to end the period 1-0 Skaneateles.
Just seconds into the second period Smith scored again and the second period remained 2-0 Lakers until the whistle.
FFLOP’s Peyton Forcucci scored at 12:56 of the third to put Section VI on the boards. Skaneateles’ Makayla Barron, assisted by Elizabeth Schneid closed the period with the final goal of the night and Skaneateles takes FFLOP 3-1 and moves to the Championship game.
Rachael Fix of FFLOP faced 40 shots on goal and Skaneateles’ Brooke Coffey stopped 24 of 25 SOG.
FFLOP’s Maya Griffin and Skaneateles’ Barron were presented with the Sportsmanship Award for the game.
Photo Gallery: Semi Final Game 1, FFLOP vs Skaneateles. (Photos property of NYHOL, Janet Schultz Photographer© To receive permission to copy, use or purchase email [email protected]
In the second semi-final matchup, Adirondack took on Beekmantown. In a fast paced game, the first period ended at 0-0, as did the second period.
It was looking like an overtime was coming with no one scoring until 30.3 seconds left in the third Lillian Willis gets one off and scores the first goal of the game and secured a win for the United. ADK moves on to face Skaneateles in the Championship game.
ADK’s goalie Aurora Graham-Hayes faced 27 SOG and the Eagles Bailey Barnett faced 30.
Beekmantown’s Avery Parker and Adirondack’s Alyssa Temple received the Sportsmanship Award for the game.
Skaneateles and Adirondack faced off at Noon with Cora Major opening the scoring for Skaneateles at 5:25 of the first period. That goal would remain throughout the first period and Skaneateles has the 1-0 lead at the whistle.
The second period was fast paced up and down the ice but no score until Adirondack’s Aubrey Lozier scored, unassisted, with 3 minutes left in the period to tie it. But wait, just a minute later United’s Kady Duffy scores and the United end the period 2-1.
It seemed that was the end but with just 44.2 seconds left in the third period, United’s Gianna Marcantonio scores and empty-netter and Adirondack is the 2025 NYSPHSAA Girl’s Varsity Ice Hockey Champion.
SOG: ADK, 25; Skaneateles, 39.
Adirondack United is made up of six schools in the Section 2 region including Corinth, Glens Falls, Hudson Falls, Saratoga Springs and South Glens Falls. Skaneateles is made up of schools in the Skaneateles School District including Waterman Primary, Skaneateles High School and State Street Intermediate School.
Beekmantown’s team is comprised of players from West Chazy, Beekmantown Elementary, Beekmantown Middle School and High School.
FFLOP’s teams include players from Fronter, Franklinville, Orchard Park and LakeShore school districts.
In order to make it to the States, these teams had playoffs against the other sections in New York State. Adirondack (Section 2) played the North Avalanche (Section 1); FFLOP (VI) vs Webster (V); Ithaca (IV) played Skaneateles (III) and Potsdam (X) played Beekmantown (VII).
Photo Galleries of Semi Final Game #2 and Championship coming soon.
