CORTLAND — When Kyle Finnell tore her ACL six games into the season, the Garden City girls lacrosse team had to immediately change its identity. Losing a player as talented as Finnell, who was Newsday’s Nassau Player of the Year as a junior and is committed to play at Northwestern, could be enough for many teams’ seasons to spiral.

But not Garden City.

The Trojans rallied around Finnell, who remained an integral part of the team. She acted like another coach at practice and from the sideline during games. She was involved in scouting. But Garden City couldn’t close the spring with a state title, falling to Victor, 12-9, in the girls lacrosse state Class B championship at SUNY Cortland on Saturday afternoon.

“It’s hard to win a state championship, obviously,” coach Dave Ettinger said. “We tried and the girls gave it all they had. When you lose a player like Kyle with her ability early in the season, it’s hard, but they really stepped up and tried to get it done for her. Unfortunately, we just made too many mistakes on a big stage against a good team and a good program like that.”

Victor (18-4) won its fourth straight state Class B title. Garden City (20-3) reached its second state final in the last three years.

Finnell was proud of her teammates’ effort and success over the entire season.

“It was honestly incredible,” Finnell said. “I think a lot of people stepped up in ways that make me speechless, honestly. The offense did an incredible job, the defense did also, and our goalie, Kate Connolly, this is her first year starting and she did amazing. But we had a bad day. I don’t think it was for a lack of effort, I think everyone gave it their all.”

Kimberly Colucci scored five goals for Garden City, which led 5-4 at halftime. The Trojans trailed 9-7 with 9:29 left in the fourth quarter before Deanna Prisco scored with 8:59 left and Grace Brantuk had the tying goal with 5:11 left. But Maia Pronti scored for Victor less than a minute later as Victor scored three goals over the final 4:19 of the contest.

Despite Saturday’s loss, the Trojans had a strong season with a Nassau Conference I title, winning its fifth straight Nassau Class B championship and reaching their second state final in the last three years.

“It means so much just to get here,” Finnell said. “I think this experience has been great for everyone younger and some of the people who haven’t been here. I think it was just a terrific experience, and I wouldn’t really change any of it.”