But it was classmate Isabel Bretz who came through when it mattered most Saturday.
Bretz inserted the ball on a late-game penalty corner and, with the defense focused on York’s top three scorers at the top of the circle, she slid to the left post behind Winslow keeper Delaney Wood. Two passes later, Bretz tapped the ball over the line for the winning goal, lifting the Wildcats to their second consecutive Class B state crown with a 3-2 win over the Black Raiders at Morse Field at the University of Maine at Orono.
“Any given day, any given person, that’s what being on a team is all about,” York coach Barb Marois said.
The win is the 36th in a row for the Wildcats, who have now played two consecutive perfect seasons.
“I was trying not to think about that today,” Marois said.
Bretz’s goal with 7:02 to play in the contest gave the Wildcats (18-0) a two-goal lead and seemingly salted the game away. But Winslow kept fighting.
“They never gave up, they showed a lot of heart and a lot of class,” Winslow coach Mary Beth Bourgoin said.
The Black Raiders earned a penalty stroke less than two minutes later after a York defender stopped the ball with her foot or leg from crossing the line. Ciera Poulin stepped to the line and delivered her second goal of the afternoon to pull the Class B North champs — and last year’s Class C state champs — within a goal.
But they would get no closer.
“Even when they were up 3-1, I never gave up hope, because I’ve seen things happen late in games,” Bourgoin said. “Once we scored the stroke, I thought, ‘OK, definitely there’s a chance.’ And we had our chances.”
Posternak led the offensive charge for York, though, spreading the ball around and distributing passes while drawing defenders away from her teammates.
“She’s a very talented player, and we’re lucky to have her,” Marois said.
Her goal with 19:11 to play in the first half was a thing of beauty, an all-world deke around Wood on one nine first half penalty corners. She feinted left, crossed over right and slid the ball into the cage for a 1-0 York lead.
But Winslow kept fighting, as defending champs are wont to do. Poulin knotted the game at 17:16 on a one-timer from Jessica Greeley.
Devon Datsis poked the ball past Winslow keeper Delaney Wood with 21:43 to play in the second half to put York back in front.
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