Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake senior Katie Lansley is preparing for the final weekend of her high school field hockey career.
The veteran midfielder is looking to secure another state championship for the Spartans, “a brilliant run with the Spartans this weekend” according to Yahoo Sports.
The team is currently chasing a third consecutive Class B state title.
Lansley, who committed to the University of Delaware, has recorded seven goals and 19 assists this season.
Coach Kelly Vrooman noted the senior’s significant growth since her eighth-grade debut.
Vrooman stated, “She has grown tremendously from a player that was very timid and not real gritty in the beginning.”
The Spartans carry a 15-2-1 record into their semifinal match against Pittsford Sutherland.
The squad features four freshman starters who have been guided by veteran leadership.
Regarding the team’s development, Vrooman said, “They have done a really good job of lifting the level of those freshman and getting them to play within their means.”
Lansley reflected on the surreal nature of her final high school games.
She remarked, “It hasn’t really hit me yet. It is kind of surreal, but it nice to have our season go as long as it can.”
The team’s success is bolstered by a strong defensive record, having allowed only seven goals all season.
Lansley plans to maintain her focus on team play while balancing her coach’s request to be more aggressive offensively.
The midfielder stated, “I play a big passing game, but she wants me to, sometimes, just to take the ball and run.”
The state semifinals take place Saturday at Arlington High School.
Lansley hopes to finish her tenure with the program by adding one more trophy to the school’s collection.
She concluded, “It would be the best end I could think of to finish my high school career.”