By ALEX SPONSELLER The Toll Gate field hockey team fell to Classical 2-0 in the Division III State Championship on Saturday evening at Cranston Stadium.

The two teams were scoreless after the first half, but Classical would break through with less than a minute remaining in the third quarter to take the 1-0 lead. It would add to its advantage with 6:40 left in regulation to make it 2-0 which would be all it needed to secure the win.

Ella Boyan and Annabelle Doyle scored Classical’s two goals while Toll Gate goalie Meghan Merrow recorded 10 saves in the cage for the Titans.

Team speed was the difference in the game according to Toll Gate coach Jim Areson.

“We just played a really good team. It really showed tonight that they play on turf and we play on grass, it’s a huge difference. They’re a totally different team on grass, and they’re still a really good team. We had a phenomenal year though, it was a nice way for our six seniors to go out. Mackenzie Hiatt, Hope Flaherty, Erica Armstrong, Meghan Merrow, Meaghan McCamish, Sara Rhodes, this is a testament to them. They went to two finals in four year so that’s a testament to them,” said Areson.

Although the Toll Gate defense played strong throughout much of the contest, things got tough once the offense had to play from behind down the stretch.

“(Classical’s Jay Moore) was awesome today, she was phenomenal. It came down to the fact that they play on turf and were faster than us. They really did dominate us for much of the game. We hung in there for a long time, Meghan Merrow played great in goal. They scored the goal in the third quarter, and at that point you are playing from behind and are just trying to score a goal because it doesn’t matter. We had to stretch and then they were able to score that second goal, but that’s sports,” said Areson.

The Toll Gate seniors have enjoyed quite the run of success during their time in the program, reaching two state titles and qualifying for the past three postseasons.

Areson will miss having the leaders on the team and was proud of the way they finished their careers with the program.

“It was a great year for them considering all that is happening in the world. For them to get here is a great accomplishment,” Areson said. “It’s crazy to think about, this is the first group that I had when I came here and at that point Toll Gate field hockey was down. But with this class, they were one of the winningest groups that Toll Gate has ever had. They’re going to be immensely missed, they really are. I’m sad to see them go.”