BATH — Lily Posternak scored two goals, including the game-winner in the game’s waning minutes, to help York earn its third consecutive Class B state title Saturday in a 2-1 win over North champion Belfast.
Posternak netted her first of the game with 7:21 to play in the first half on a penalty stroke. Belfast’s Kylie Nelson, a finalist for Miss Maine Field Hockey along with Posternak, scored in the early part of the second half to even the score.
Posternak posted her second goal with 3:22 to play in regulation on a bullet from just inside the circle.
“I didn’t care how it went in or who got it. I just wanted two points on the board,” Posternak said. “I just tried to make one move right and accelerate so they were coming at me and I could take one step and get a shot off right away. I was just trying to get it on goal, but it went in. I’m thankful for that much.”
Posternak and fellow four-year starter Ali Lawlor finished their careers with a 71-1 record. After their lone loss, to Nokomis in the 2013 state title game, they won 54 in a row.
“I couldn’t ask for a better way to end my high school career, really,” said Posternak, who will play for Duke next fall.
“It’s always special for the seniors,” York coach Barb Marois said. “They’ve been big. They provided some steady consistency in their positions and leadership throughout. They have some other nice seniors around them that complement their play. I’m very proud of them and all of the girls in the program.”
York (18-0) outshot Belfast, 14-5, but the Lions still tested the Wildcats’ defense and goalie Julia Carr (four saves) in spots with their speed and breakout ability
“They were tough,” Lawlor said. “We knew that they were going to lift it a lot, so we practiced that. I think we did a really good job protecting against that.”
“We had some good chances to finish and just didn’t,” Belfast coach Jan Jackson said.
Nelson finished on a rush 2:37 into the second half, carrying in alone to the right of three York defenders and Carr before scoring the equalizer.
“We knew if she got some open field and was able to get her speed going that it would be trouble,” Marois said. “She’s a good player. She’s going to create those opportunities for herself.”
The Lions (16-2) would have preferred to generate more opportunities off of their 11 penalty corners, but the Wildcats’ defense, led by Lawlor, were quick to close off passing and shooting lanes.
“They were playing very tough on their defensive corners. It was hard for us to get some shots off,” Jackson said.
Belfast goalie Morgan Fernald finished with 13 saves.
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