PARIS — Oxford Hills coach Cindy Goddard describes Allison Slicer as a patient player who takes a moment to find an opportunity to score.
The junior forward-midfielder’s composure played a key role in her two goals that gave third-ranked Oxford Hills a 2-0 victory over 11th-seeded Brewer in a Class A North field hockey quarterfinal on a chilly Wednesday afternoon.
Oxford Hills (10-5) moves on to the semifinals, where the Vikings will square off against No. 2 Mt. Ararat (10-3-2) — which beat No. 7 Mt. Blue 2-0 — on Saturday.
The Witches didn’t play like an 11th-ranked team and kept the Vikings on their heels for the entire game.
“I think it was really nice that we executed on the corner play that we scored on,” Goddard said. “That was kind of nice to accomplish that.
“I think Brewer played a great game. They are a threat. They had a lot of great scoring opportunities. I think as time went along we just wore them down.”
Brewer’s tenacity was clearly evident in a scoreless first quarter. But in the second stanza, the Vikings began pressing and hammering away at the Witches’ net. Oxford Hills’ persistence resulted in Slicer’s first goal on an assist by senior midfielder Chloe Estes. Slicer flipped the ball into the left side of the net.
The Vikings didn’t miss a step, after a brief halftime break, in the third quarter. The patient Slicer was there again to take a feed from junior forward Sierra Carson and tuck the ball inside the net for her second goal.
“I think as we kept going, we started working a lot harder,” Slicer said. “Everyone was hustling a lot. (Brewer) did pretty good. I was impressed.”
Goddard was certainly pleased with Slicer’s two-goal performance.
“One was off a corner play, which was great because she was in the right spot,” Goddard said. “She is that kind player that is patient when she gets it off the rebound and she can pause and see what is open. Her second goal was probably off a rebound, too.”
The Witches (5-11) desperately tried to overcome the Vikings’ 2-0 lead, which held up through a scoreless fourth quarter.
“My girls showed a lot of resilience,” Brewer coach Jessica Russell said. “They always have. We had a tough battle in our conference play this year. They really had to learn mental toughness and they showed that today. We competed and that is all I can ask for.
“I think (Oxford Hills) maintained composure. Their goalie was fantastic (with) great experience. She was really holding it down for them. I can see them go far.”
Oxford Hills goalie Gabrielle Wright earned her keep, making eight saves against relentless Brewer before being relieved late in the fourth quarter by Lauren Morse. Brewer goalie Emma Look made three saves.
“Gabby saved us. She was a key factor,” Goddard added.
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