LIVERMORE FALLS – It’s not like the North Yarmouth Academy field hockey team was waiting all game just for a chance to play seven-on-seven Saturday afternoon, but when overtime came, the Panthers had reason to be excited.
“In practice, we usually only have enough people to play seven-on-seven,” said NYA forward Katherine Millett. “So we’re used to it and enjoy it a lot. On turf, we get to move the ball more efficiently and all over the field. That really came in handy in overtime play.”
NYA looked pretty comfortable in overtime of their Western C semifinal. So much so, that it barely lasted a minute. Millett scored the game-winner 43 seconds into overtime to stun second-seeded Livermore Falls 1-0.
The Andies (13-2) controlled play for much of the first half but struggled to score on its opportunities.
“I thought we were competitive with them the whole game,” said Livermore Falls coach Julia Parker. “We controlled a lot of it at times. We just couldn’t get one into the cage.”
The game-winner came off a scramble in front of the net. Moments before, Andies keeper Caylee Morriss had made a save on a Kylie Dalbec shot. On the stop, a piece of her equipment came flying off. When the ball moved toward midfield, she was able to regroup, but NYA quickly mounted another rush that had the Livermore Falls defense scrambling.
“It was just a little blip in the other end,” said Parker. “We got caught off guard, and that’s what happened. It was a good game.”
Megan Fortier set up the game-winner. She led NYA’s charge in the second half and fed Millett the ball inside the circle. After one stop that had Morris on the ground, Millett had only a defender to beat.
“I got it from (Fortier),” said Millett. “All I know is that the whole team busted our butts for this game, and that’s how the ball got to me. It was our teamwork. Then I saw a girl down, and I was hoping I didn’t hit her.”
NYA (14-1) returns to the regional final Tuesday for a match with top-ranked Telstar.
Morris finished with nine saves in a superb effort for the Andies.
“She’s an incredible goalie,” said Parker. “She’s very strong. She’s going to be a tough person to replace. She came up with some key saves and kept us in the game a lot.”
The Andies had the better of opportunities in a back-and-forth first half. Many of the chances Livermore Falls created didn’t lead to quality shots. Both teams had three shots and many of the Andies’ bids went wide.
“We created a lot of opportunities for us,” said Parker. “We wish we could have put some in there, but it didn’t happen for us.”
In the second half, Samantha Greenwood had a great chance in front that went off NYA keeper Mariah Farrell. Then, Kathryn Ventrella had a shot from the left side and Kim Theriault had a crack at the rebound.
The Panthers began to pick up its play in the second half. Between adjusting to the grass field and wearing down the Andies defense, NYA had a surge of energy down the stretch. Fortier had a great bid that was stopped. Later, Katie Cawley had a shot and the rebound was blocked by a defender.
“I know in the second half we weren’t satisfied with how we played in the first,” said Millett. “We really just wanted to pick it up a notch.”
It was the second straight semifinal loss for the Andies, which will graduate 14 seniors.
“I have an amazing group of girls,” said Parker. “They really worked hard at it. It’s not the outcome we wanted, but it was a close game all the way through.”
kmills@sunjournal.com
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