Update: Waves field hockey team makes playoffs

Update: The Riverhead Blue Waves field hockey team has earned a berth in the Division-II playoffs. 

The final power point ratings were announced by Section XI this morning. Riverhead finished with 106.130 points over Smithtown West (98.970.)

Original story:

And the final Division II playoff spot goes to… one of three teams.

The Riverhead field hockey team did all they could down the stretch – shutting out the last three opponents – but is it enough to secure the final spot?

Entering the final scheduled day in Division II field hockey, the sixth and final playoff spot featured a tie between Riverhead (7-6) and Smithtown West (6-7). Although the Blue Waves held a better record, each team had the same amount of power points (102.7) based on strength of schedule, key wins, key losses and other mathematically significant statistics.

After Riverhead defeated West Babylon 4-0 behind three Maria Dillingham goals, the waiting game began. Smithtown West played a 4:30 p.m game so the result would come delayed.

Last night, Coach Cheryl Walsh-Edwards said, “My fingers are crossed. We’ve all been frantically hitting the refresh buttons to see the [Smithtown West] score!”

The Bulls were up against Comsewogue(6-7), who came into day seeded eighth with 95.02 power points. So a victory for the Bulls could just about seal them the spot as West Babylon had fewer power points (86.56) making the Blue Wave victory less impressive.

But in or out, the season was a successful one, Walsh-Edwards said. The Blue Waves finished with an overall record of 9-7 and finished higher than their projected No. 9 seed. They also return most of their top tier players.

“We only graduate four seniors,” Walsh-Edwards said. “The standout players we have this season like in Danni Napoli, Maria Dillingham, Emily Masse, Katelyn Zaneski, they’re all coming back.”

But even so, Walsh-Edwards said she would be heartbroken if they were to be elminated.

“These kids really played their hearts out and really gave it their all,” Walsh-Edwards said. “You would almost rather not make it by a lot than to just miss it by like tenths of a point and that’s what it’s ultimately going to come down to.”

At 8 p.m, the score came in: Comsewogue, 2 Smithtown West, 0.

Does this give the Blue Waves the spot?

We’ll have to wait and see – power rankings will be revealed around 10 a.m, Walsh-Edwards said.

RiverheadLOCAL photos by Peter Blasl
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