CHITTENANGO – It took three seasons for Greene to get past the first round of the state playoffs and into the semifinals. The Trojans will have to wait another year to move past this year’s performance.

Section 11’s Ward Melville scored 52 seconds into overtime, and despite getting outplayed for much of the contest, advanced to the finals of the New York State Field Hockey Class A tournament beating Greene, 2-1, Friday at Chittenango High School

The Patriots (22-1), outshot 12-3 in the contest by Greene, finished off its title run with a 2-0 championship win over Section 6’s Williamsville North on Saturday.

“We played so well and it’s a tough loss,” said Greene coach Sue Carlin, who piloted Greene to a 2002 state title. “Obviously (Ward Melville) is a great team to get to this point. We just didn’t execute (and score) that one goal when we needed it.”

Ward Melville seldom tested the heart of the Greene defense, but when it was in the penalty circle, the Patriots proved dangerous. Gaining control of the ball in 7-versus-7 overtime, the Patriots drew their ninth penalty corner of the game. After the initial pass was sent into the circle, a scramble ensued, and Callie Vitalo slipped the ball into the left side of the cage for the winner.