By Jordan J. Michael

ALBANY –– Wednesday’s Class A sectional final came to an end, and Guilderland stormed the field like it did in the two years prior. Winning never gets old.

“I think the third title is the exclamation point,” Head Coach Gary Chatnik said after his Lady Dutch lacrosse team locked up its third straight championship. “The first one may have been a surprise to them, but not to me. I’ve watched this team grow into something special.”

Guilderland beat Bethlehem for the third time this season, 14-4, at the University of Albany to reach the regional round and remain unbeaten at 20-0.

Seniors Bridget Daley, Danielle Tetreault, Molly Barker, Amy Branchini, Corinne Chatnik, Courtney Davis, Jen Madsen, and Amanda Best have been a part of all three titles.

“All eight of us started this bond 10 years ago when Coach Chatnik started a youth program,” said Tetreault. “That’s how championship teams are formed. We all stuck together and kept working hard. Look at where it got us.”

“This team has an unlimited amount of passion and we always want to win,” Kristen Cagino said. “This third title really proves that we are the best. We know what it takes to win a state championship and it’s been our ongoing goal.”

Davis started the scoring for the Lady Dutch last night when she took Alyssa Smith one-on-one to the goal. Daley found Tetreault for a goal about one minute later and the lead was 2 to 0.

“I think we may have been a little over confident the last time we played them,” Erin Mossop said of the 9-to-5 victory over the Eagles a couple of weeks ago. “This time, we slowed down the pace a little bit and controlled possession.”

Tetreault found Mossop in front for a point-blank goal with about 9 minutes to go in the first half, and then Daley flew down the field and scored to make it 5 to 0. Michelle Primomo put a goal past Amanda Santandrea to get Bethlehem within three goals, but Tetreault put in a bouncing ball to secure a 6-to-2 halftime lead.

“We realized that they played pretty hard in the last game, so we came into today with our best effort,” said Tetreault. “Coach Chatnik always gives us all the confidence we need to win games. The spirit is never lost.”

The Lady Dutch lead was pushed to six goals in the second half when Cagino marched down the field and put one in the net. Mossop used her long reach to score two more goals and it was 11 to 2 with 13:02 to go in regulation.

The Eagles made numerous shots wide in the second half that could have made the game close. Davis added her third goal of the night to finish up Guilderland’s scoring and the celebration was on.

“I think there might be a chance to beat this team after those eight seniors graduate,” said Bethlehem Coach Dawn Austin. “They have a lot of experience and team speed. You’re out of luck if you don’t match that.”

“My seniors have always had the edge and it’s been fun to watch them play,” Chatnik concluded. “We would love to see everything end happily with a win on the final day of lacrosse.”