Foxcroft edges Winslow 1-0 for Eastern Maine Class C title
By Mike Lange
Staff Writer
HAMPDEN — When two field hockey powerhouses with 15 wins apiece face off in a championship game, chances are the final score will be close.
That was certainly the case last week as Foxcroft Academy edged Winslow 1-0 to clinch the Eastern Maine Class C field hockey title at Hampden Academy on Oct. 29.
Observer photo/Mike Lange
WINNERS – The Foxcroft Academy Ponies celebrate their Eastern Maine Class C championship after a 1-0 victory over Winslow last week.
The lone goal came at 16:29 of the second period when sophomore forward Madison Fadley converted a penalty corner from Emily Higgins into the only score of the game.
“Emily (Higgins) brought it out and I was just in the right position,” Fadley said. “At first, I wasn’t even sure the ball went in. But we practice for situations just like this.”
Foxcroft head coach Stephanie Smith said the whole game was a nail-biter. “We really didn’t play well in the first half,” Smith said. “But the girls persevered and stayed with it. Obviously, I’m pleased with the results. Emily’s pass to Madison worked perfectly.”
Observer photo/Mike Lange
DOUBLE TEAMED – Julia Annis (7) takes possession for the Ponies on this drive against Winslow with midfielder Amber Anderson (9) on hot pursuit.
But Smith added that the defense was another key to the victory. “Our goalie (Brianna Skolfield) and our backs worked really hard to keep us in the game. I gave Brianna the game ball,” Smith said.
Foxcroft almost had a second goal late in the game when junior Fern Morrison drilled a shot toward the corner of the net, but goalie Delanie Wood smothered the ball to keep the score 1-0.
Winslow did almost everything right in the first half, dominating play at their end of the field only to be stopped in their tracks by the Ponies’ defenders. The Black Raiders outshot Foxcroft 12-4 in the game and had a 9-3 edge in penalty corners. Skolfield had several close calls, including one acrobatic stop early in the second half.
Observer photo/Mike Lange
POSITION – Foxcroft Academy’s offense came alive in the second half en route to their 1-0 victory in the Eastern Maine Class Championship game last week. Pictured, from left, are FA forward Julie Annis, Winslow defender Bethany Winkin and FA forward Fern Morrison.
“I thought we controlled the tempo in the first half very well,” Bourgoin said. “We had plenty of opportunities to score. But they have a great goalie. Our offense was just outplayed by their defense.”
Nevertheless, Bourgoin said that she was pleased with her teams’ overall effort. “To have the season we did with the numbers we had was really something. They should be proud of what they did.”
Observer photo/Mike Lange
IT’S A STRETCH – FA sophomore Madison Fadley reaches for the ball ahead of Winslow’s Miranda Gagne (5) in last week’s 1-0 Eastern Maine Class C championship win. Fadley scored the only goal of the game.
Winslow finished the season at 15-2 while Foxcroft Academy went into the Class C state championship round with a 16-0-1 mark.
Observer photo/Mike Lange
INTRODUCTION – The Foxcroft Academy Ponies are cheered by fans after their introduction prior to the Eastern Maine Class C championship contest against Winslow.
Observer photos/Stuart Hedstrom
WE’RE NO. 1! — The Ponies huddle up with their new state championship trophy as the media outlets covering the game on Saturday capture the moment in time.
Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom
STICK IT TO THEM — Pony junior Jennifer Boyer, with senior Emily Higgins looking on, seeks to get through the North Yarmouth defense during the 2013 Class C state championship in Yarmouth on Nov. 2.