RUMFORD — The long trip was certainly worth it for McKenzie Sangster, who couldn’t hide her excitement after scoring the winning goal in double overtime
No. 5 North Yarmouth Academy pulled off a mild upset against No. 4 Mountain Valley in a Class C quarterfinal playoff field hockey game Tuesday afternoon.
The action can change in a split second and the Panthers took full advantage of the situation after a crossing pass found Sangster’s stick, and she shoved the ball into an open net with 16 seconds left in the extra session for a NYA 1-0 triumph at Hosmer Field Complex.
There was no time to relax as each team had several opportunities to punch one through, but the respective defenses and goalies proved to be up to the task. The play opened up considerably with the teams playing 7-on-7 in the extra session
The dramatic ending had materialized when Kiersten Marr intercepted an attempted clearing and dribbled toward Falcon goalie Aylssa Akers (14 saves), who tried cutting down the angle. Marr kept her head up and saw Sangster unmarked at the crease.
“Kiersten was at the top of the circle and was charging in,” Sangster said. “She looked up and sent a crossing pass over to me. I’m just so excited about scoring the winning goal.”
North Yarmouth Academy (11-4) advances to host a semifinal game this Saturday against Lisbon, who upset top-ranked Dirigo.
“The girl’s didn’t feel defeated,” said Mountain Valley coach Melissa Forbes, whose team concludes its season at 9-6. “It was a back-and-forth game and each team had chances. (NYA) plays (artificial) turf, and we talked about taking away the short passes, during halftime.”
Forbes said they tried to keep the ball away from the strong side, where NYA defender Linna Hull was a force. Mountain Valley’s Lexi Duguay drilled several shots that went wide. When the ball sailed on target, NYA goalie Savannah Shaw (11 saves) would kick it away.
The Falcons’ Chesea Allison, Marissa Crosby and Maddie Kaubry each had trouble getting quality shots on goal.
“It was certainly a fun year,” Forbes said. “We lose four seniors, who I’m sure are disappointed. My sophomore goalie Alyssa Akers feels bad, but she had stepped up and volunteered to play goalie after Kassie Thibodeau, who had started two years, broke her hand.”
The Falcons received solid play from defenders Danielle Thibodeau, Makayla Burgess, Brooke Carrier and sweeper Liza White.
“We didnt get going early on,” NYA coach Julia Sterling said. “It was a long bus ride up here. It might have been nerves. During timeouts, we talked about staying positive and not to give in. My girls played with a lot of heart out.”
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