PORTLAND – Katie Berry scored in the second round of penalty corners Tuesday as sixth-seeded Westbrook upset third-ranked Cheverus 1-0 in a Western Class A field hockey quarterfinal at Cheverus High.

Berry collected her second straight winning goal after scoring in overtime Saturday in a preliminary-round victory against Kennebunk.

“When it was flicked across to me, I knew I just had to hit it and hope that it went in,” said Berry. “Luckily, it was far enough to the corner that it went by.

“I think anyone could have done it. I think you just have to be at the right place and have to be confident enough.”

Berry’s goal came on Westbrook’s first chance after the teams were unsuccessful in the first round of three penalty corners.

Ally Lemay started the play with a pass to Courtney Brown, who sent the ball to the front. Berry was there to score.

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Westbrook will be home in the semifinals Saturday against seventh-seeded Portland, which advanced by upsetting second-ranked Sanford.

“This is a magical group,” said Westbrook Coach Beth Murphy. “They are probably the most close-knit group I have coached in my 20-plus years.

“We lost nine seniors and we were a pretty decent team last year. I knew that this group was a very good (junior varsity) group, basically.

“They believe in each other, they care about one another and they play as a team together. When you do that, you’re going to be successful and that’s the fun part of this whole season.”

Berry has three winning goals this season for the Blue Blazes (12-4), who have won five overtime games.

The outcome also avenged a penalty corner loss to Bonny Eagle in last year’s Western Class A quarterfinals.

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“I don’t think I’ve ever had a team that won every single overtime game they’ve played in my coaching career,” said Murphy, who applauded her defense for a solid performance.

“It just worked. They fought this one and got into penalty corners.”

The loss was maddening for Cheverus (12-3), which was awarded 19 corners in regulation and another two in the first overtime but were never able to score.

One of the best opportunities for the Stags came in the opening 1:10 off a corner. Alex Logan had the chance, but Westbrook goalkeeper Maryssa Arsenault stopped her.

“I guess it’s frustrating to not have scored,” said Cheverus Coach Amy McMullin, who also saw her team stymied on its four penalty corners.

“We worked really hard on corners all (Monday) because we knew that’s what the playoffs come down to – those scoring opportunities and those corners that you need to convert on. It’s unfortunate that we couldn’t get one in there. We had so many chances.”

Arsenault finished with 10 saves in regulation, one in overtime and one during the penalty corners.

Libby DesRuisseaux of Cheverus turned aside six shots in regulation and one more in overtime.


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