By ALEX SPONSELLER The Toll Gate field hockey team cruised past visiting Rocky Hill 4-1 in the Division III Semifinals on Tuesday night to punch its ticket to this Saturday’s state title game against Classical.

The Lady Titans took a 2-0 lead into the halftime break, but the Mariners would respond in the second half with a goal to cut the lead to 2-1. However, Toll Gate bounced back to put away two insurance goals down the stretch to put the game out of reach and secure the win.

Hope Flaherty led the way with a pair of goals to increase her season total to 7. Kirsten Poulin scored as well as freshman Georgia Field, who’s score was the first of her career.

Meaghan McCamish, Sara Rhodes and Alina Jencks all added assists in the win while goalie Meghan Merrow recorded four saves in the cage. Rocky Hill’s lone goal was scored by Tina Greim.

“We just seem to have their number. It’s the grit, we just always seem to outwork them. Today was a little unusual for us scoring four goals. The last two games that we have played have been our best two games of the season, I’m very excited for the girls and this is an awesome way to cap off the season,” said Toll Gate coach Jim Areson.

Although she did not light up the statsheet, Areson felt that McCamish was the difference in the Titans’ victory.

“Meaghan McCamish dominated this game, she is probably the best player in the league and was the best player out there today. She dominated today. She makes the entire team better. Hope Flaherty was great for us today and scored twice, we had a freshman step up. Rocky Hill scored in the second half to make it a one-goal game but the girls responded. It was awesome, the seniors really set the tone for the team,” said Areson.

Toll Gate will now face Classical, who was undefeated throughout the season and had only one tie … which was to the Titans.

Although Classical is considered the favorite heading into Saturday's match, Areson feels that his club is peaking at the right time.

“When the season started I felt that Classical and Rocky Hill would be the best two teams in the league, but we are now one of the best. It’s one of those things, all of those coaching cliches about just getting better each day, they’re doing it. I like our chances Saturday,” said Areson. “We gave them their only blemish with the tie. They play well on turf, they play fast, we will have our hands full, but these past few games we have played very well. I’m just really happy for our seniors, it’s just a nice way to cap a really messed up year.”