Garden City girls lacrosse falls in state Class B final
Ashley Clark #18 of the Garden City Trojans during the NYSPHSAA Class B Final against Victor at SUNY Cortland on June 13, 2026. Credit: Todd F. Michalek Credit: Todd F. Michalek/Todd F. Michalek
CORTLAND — It’s a hump the Garden City girls lacrosse team can’t seem to get over.
For the third time in four years, the Trojans fell short to Section V’s Victor in the state Class B championship game. This time, it was a 13-5 loss at SUNY Cortland on Saturday.
Coach Dave Ettinger said the loss certainly stings, but the result of one game cannot cancel out Garden City’s incredible season that led to the state final.
“They just outplayed us from the start to the end,” Ettinger said. “It’s unfortunate, but it doesn’t take away from what these girls accomplished this year. You get this far and obviously want to win. It’s not the result we want, but I'm still proud of everything they’ve done and how hard they fought until the end.”
Victor (18-4) secured its fifth consecutive state Class B title.
Kimberly Colucci led Garden City with two goals and an assist. As a senior, it was Colucci’s last go at a title but, regardless of the loss, she said she is proud of her team for playing hard until the end. The Trojans wrapped up their season 19-3.
“Being here means everything,” Colucci said. “Being down by that many points and still fighting really just shows the kind of team we are. It’s not the way we wanted it to end, but this is the most fun and the most love I’ve had for a team in a while and I’m grateful to go out with this group.”
With Garden City’s storied success in the sport, Colucci said a state championship is inevitable. If the program continues to do what it’s doing, she said its time will come. The Trojans last won a state title in 2017.
“When we put on this jersey, we’re carrying a legacy,” Colucci said. “We have to wear it with pride every time we go out on the field. We embrace it. We embraced this culture and I think that’s what Garden City is built on. We’re a lacrosse town so, we’ll keep that tradition going and one year will be our year.”
As she has been all season, senior captain Regan Backer was a strong contender in the midfield. She successfully sent seven draws to her teammates on the circle. To her, the memories of her time with Garden City will extend far beyond the field.
“When I think of this team, I don’t even think about the lacrosse,” Backer said. “I’ve grown up with these girls for the past 10 years of my life. I’ve played lacrosse with them since I was 3. To play at this level, to see everyone go off to amazing schools, it means a lot. One loss will never define this team.”
The Trojans struggled with injuries all season, missing standout scorer Deanna Prisco for much of the season and lockdown defender Kate Scuderi for the playoffs. Regardless, Ettinger said his team proved its depth by seamlessly adjusting to fill the holes.
“I’m most proud of the way this team overcame adversity,” Ettinger said. “We had a lot of injuries and the girls stepped up, seniors stepped up for their friends who couldn’t play. We battled every game.”
And to Backer, that’s what the sport is all about: Supporting one another when it matters most. Though the ending wasn’t the one she was searching for, Backer said it was an experience she will continue to treasure.
“We always support each other, and I think that’s the most important thing about sports,” Backer said. “We never give up. When we lose, we use it as fire. We train all summer, all fall, all winter in the freezing cold to make it to this point. If we don’t get it, we know that we gave it our all like we did today. That’s what matters.”
Tess Ferguson is a reporter on Newsday's high school sports staff. She joined the team after graduating with a journalism degree from Ithaca College in 2025.
