Delaney: An 'A' for RFA and Liverpool stick skills

There was a noticeable difference in the quality of stick skills among Class A field hockey players Saturday from the Class B athletes in two Section III championship games at Cicero-North Syracuse Saturday.

Overall, the Class A Rome Free Academy and Liverpool athletes showed themselves to be better stick handlers in their final at the Michael J. Bragman Athletic Complex.

The RFA and Liverpool players regularly controlled a ball in the air with the stick, or quickly changed directions while maintaining possession. A long pass in the Class A game was more likely to land on a teammates' stick than in the Class B final between Vernon-Verona-Sherrill and Camden.

RFA coach Linda Harjung said artificial turf is one reason for the difference. RFA and Liverpool both play home games on turf, as does Camden. VVS's home field is grass.

The faster artificial surface allows players to improve and develop better stick skills than athletes who play a majority of games on grass.

"We also have a lot of ice hockey players and that is a huge help," Harjung said.