WILLIAMSVILLE – The nine-time defending state champions, the Lakeland Hornets, kept the Afton Crimson Knights at bay in the New York State semifinal field hockey, claiming a 2-0 victory Saturday afternoon at Williamsville-North High School.

Lakeland’s Cara O’Shea scored both goals in the game as Afton was able to limit the Hornets’ leading scorer, Julianna Cappello, touches on the ball.

O’Shea scored the first goal of the game in the opening 10 minutes of play from Cappello’s pass.

Afton’s defense, who saw the ball in their half of the field for the majority of the contest, held the Hornets to the single goal for most of the game.

With 6:56 to go before the intermission, O’Shea was able to tack on her second of the game as their was a offensive-defensive battle in front of the cage. Lakeland’s Sarah Bussell was able to sneak a pass to O’Shea who fired the ball passed Crimson Knights’ keeper Jordan Nichols, and into the net.

In the second half of action, the offensive attack of Afton was on display. Early on, the Crimson Knights were awarded two penalty corners. One was able to create a shot but Hornet goalie Kellie Smith stopped the ball from crossing the line, preserving the shut out.