Mt. Blue goalie Brooke Bolduc kicks the ball out as teammate Madison Bard (2) looks during a field hockey game against Messalonskee at Caldwell Field in Farmington on Tuesday. (Tony Blasi/Sun Journal)
FARMINGTON — Messalonskee’s numerous raids on the Mt. Blue net often ended in frustration thanks to Cougars goalie Brooke Bolduc and her team of defenders at Caldwell Field.
Despite the Eagles’ numerous assaults and swift passing, the Cougars (6-1-1) wouldn’t let go of their one-goal lead and emerged in the driving rain with a hard-fought 2-1 field hockey victory over Messalonskee (5-3) on Tuesday.
“Holy gosh, that was unbelievable,” Mt. Blue coach Jody Harmon said. “Six defensive saves. Bailey Levesque had the defensive game of her life. Brooke (12 saves) just unbelievable is all I can say. We played with heart today and gave it everything we had.
“They (Messalonskee) are incredible. They are an incredible team. Their stick work, their skill. Their speed is just awesome. (Mt. Blue’s) Maddy Bard on (Messalonskee’s) Autumn Littlefield was just awesome. Everyone got the job done and did their part.”
Bolduc’s vigil in net was inspiring, especially in the scoreless second half when Messalonskee’s offense did everything well except put the ball in the net.
After the Eagles spent a portion of the first half in front of the Cougars’ net, Mt. Blue’s offense started making forays at the other end of the field.
It paid off at the 18:49 mark when senior Ellie Pelletier slapped in a rebound for the first goal of the game.
The Cougars’ offense seemed to ignore the rain and cold to produce another goal at 12:13. Bard, a junior, tucked in her unassisted goal off a rebound to give Mt. Blue a 2-0 lead.
But the relentless Eagles finally landed a goal with 7:32 left in the first half. Junior forward Annie Corbett punched in Messalonskee’s only goal off an assist by senior forward Kaitlyn Smith.
“Our strength is definitely our passing and our transition game up and down the field and speed,” Messalonskee coach Katie McLaughlin said. “Today, we just could not finish in the circle.”
The second half saw two fired-up teams desperately trying to score a goal. The Cougars wanted to avoid a tie — or worse — a loss. Messalonskee made every effort to tie the game and then slip a go-ahead goal.
None of that happened, in part because Bolduc was diving to the ground, jumping in the air or coming of the net to stave off those pesky Eagles.
“Their goalie was incredible,” McLaughlin said. “She really showed up today and that was unreal.
“You know we had a couple of tough breaks and we just could not finish.”
Mt. Blue’s Keegan Andrews (14) and teammate Rylee Keaten (24) keep an eye on the ball during a field hockey game at Caldwell Field in Farmington on Tuesday. (Tony Blasi/Sun Journal)
Mt. Blue’s Molly Harmon watches her shot get kicked away by Messalonskee goalie Rylie Genest as teammates Keegan Andrews (14) and Madison Bard (2) look on during a field hockey game in Farmington on Tuesday. (Tony Blasi/Sun Journal)
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