The field hockey team with the Class C Section 1 Championship plaque. Photo by David Fenner.

By S.Q. DeJoy and J. Murrer

Nov. 2, 2022: The Bronxville girls’ field hockey team took home the Section 1 Class C Championship with a 1-0 victory over Putnam Valley this past weekend. They will play in the Regional Championship on Sunday against Section 2’s Hoosick. 

“We had an up and down season,” said Co-captain Isabela Fenner. “We started off strong 4-0, and then we had a streak of ties, including a tie with Putnam Valley.  Then, we lost to the top two teams, Mamaroneck and Scarsdale, but that usually makes us stronger because we are playing up to their level. Every season has some ups and downs, and we managed to peak at the right time.”

The No. 4 Broncos (11-5-3) made it to the Sectional Championship game with a 3-0 quarterfinal win over Irvington, and a 2-0 semifinal win over Rye Neck.  They anticipated meeting No. 1 North Salem in the semifinals, but No. 9 Rye Neck upset North Salem 1-0 in overtime.

In the final game against Putnam Valley, there was no score in the first half, but in the third quarter the Broncos finally found the back of the net. With 5:44 left in the quarter, Putnam Valley had a 16-yard free hit. It was stopped by Bronxville, and Ellie Clifford crossed it over to Frannie Krause who scored.

“We were really happy about that because it was the exact play we had practiced,” said Fenner. 

Ellie Clifford (1) in the win over Putnam Valley. Photo by David Fenner. 

The team celebrating after scoring in the Putnam Valley game. Photo by David Fenner

The Bronxville defense was superb in the final game. In the last 20 seconds of the game, the Tigers threated to score twice on corners, but the Bronco defense shut them down. On Putnam Valley’s final corner shot in post-regulation time, goalie Sofia Costanzo was able to block the ball just inches from the goal.

“Sophia Costanzo has been our only goalie for two years,” said Fenner.  “She works really hard on her own. I have watched her get more confident and more aggressive, diving for the ball with her clears and defending the goal.  She has done a really good job.”

Isabela Fenner, Fiona Denning and Michaela McSherry defending the goal along with goalie Sofia Costanzo.  Photo by David Fenner

The Broncos shutout every team during the sectional playoffs thanks to an impressive defense. Two starting senior defenders, Lucy Curran and Molly Bishop, were out with injuries but returned at the start of the post-season. 

“Lucy is very aggressive stepping to the ball, and Molly is our sweeper. Molly and Michaela McSherry had some really strong clears. Senior Fiona Denning is very confident with the ball and always finds a clear path to our midfielder or forward,” noted Fenner.

Fenner, a center midfielder, is a four-year varsity player and the only member of the team who has gone to States previously.  In 2019 when Fenner was a freshman, Bronxville won the Class C State Championship.  She was named the Player of the Game in the sectional final against Putnam Valley.

Bronxville will play Hoosick on Sunday at 3:30 at Mahopac High School. Hoosick, the Class C State runner-up last year, is undefeated so far with an 18-0 record. 

Hudson Zivic (4) of Bronxville goes after the ball.  Photo by David Fenner

Go Broncos.