ROME-Courtney Edwards knew what was expected from her. She had even named her shot.

But a little advice from her mom didn't hurt either.

Edwards scored on a penalty corner 15:40 into the second half as Morrisville-Eaton defeated Weedsport 1-0 for the Section III, Class D field hockey championship Thursday at Rome Free

Academy.

“My mom told me before I went out there to just close my eyes and just picture it,” Edwards said. “I counted to three and just did it.”

Edwards said she has practiced the play many times over.

“I have this thing where I can't drive it, so I have a #+sweep#, shot,” Edwards said. “I just sweep it in. It's really hard on turf, so I just drilled it in and it went right in the post- right where I wanted it.”

The senior's goal symbolized a change in momentum. No. 2 seed Weedsport had dominated No. 1 M-E in the first half, stunning the 19-1 squad.

“The physicalness of Weedsport kind of put us back on our heels a little bit,” said M-E coach Patti Vaughan. At halftime, Vaughan reminded the seniors that they wouldn't want this to be their last game.

Morrisville-Eaton responded by taking charge immediately, though it took almost 15 minutes to score.

M-E pushed the ball down the field after its defense held Weedsport without a shot on its end. Weedsport had two shots on the night.

Vaughan's defense had been playing well all night.

M-E was able to pack the defenders in without getting called for fouls.

Weedsport was only awarded four penalty corners.

Still, Weedsport was solid through 60 minutes of play. The team stayed aggressive and kept up the pace up on the turf.

Weedsport seemed to win the battle of the midfield, but could never quite crack the M-E defense.

“I thought the game could've gone either way,” said Weedsport coach Theresa Leonardi. “Morrisville-Eaton played great, and unfortunately for us they got the break and we didn't.”

Thursday's game was the latest installment in what has become a fall rivalry for Weedsport and Morrisville-Eaton.

The teams have met in three out of the last four postseasons, two in the title game. Two games required overtime, but all were one-goal games won by M-E.

The M-E squad might have felt it had a bit more to play for, as Vaughan had announced her retirement from teaching earlier this year.

After 13 Section III titles, she has yet to decide if she will continue to coach.

Despite the loss, Weedsport concluded another season as one of the area's top field hockey teams. At 15-5, no one can say there was a lack of success in 2007.

“I told my girls last night that if I had my pick of any team in Section III to take into this game I would pick them,” Leonardi said. “I told them after the game tonight that's as true tonight as it was last night.

“They've done everything we've asked them to do all season. They've been outstanding at hustling and working to get the ball. I can't ask any more of them.”

M-E 1

Weedsport 0