It’s not a win, but the Red Riots will take it.

After suffering through an 0-14 season a year ago, and dropping their first five games by shutout this year, the South Portland field hockey team broke their shutout and losing streak with a 1-1 double overtime tie with McAuley on Sept. 18.

South Portland played a strong game against the Lions, controlling most of the play in the McAuley end of the field throughout the scoreless first half of play.

As the second half started, the crowd ringing the hill of the South Portland field hockey field tried to help the girls out with cheers of encouragement, and the team responded.

With just over 21 minutes left in the second half, South Portland had one of its best scoring chances of the game, as several Riot players got their sticks on the ball right in front of the McAuley goal, but the shot eventually went wide. The Lions brought the ball back down the field for a scoring chance of their own, but South Portland goalie Rachael Garneau kicked the Lions’ shot away.

Five minutes later, the crowd got excited as the Riots’ Julia Leighton got clear on a partial break, but her shot was blocked, and the game remained scoreless.

McAuley finally broke the tie with 14:04 left in regulation as the Lions scored off a penalty corner when Taylor Perkins found Oliva Locke in front of the Riots’ goal and Locke scored to make it 1-0.

Instead of letting the goal get to them, the Riots battled right back to stay in the game, and their efforts finally paid off with their first goal of the season, and it was a huge one. With 1:44 left in regulation, two freshmen hooked up to tie the game for the Riots. Brianna Bower scored with an assist from Maraka Soule, and the game was tied.

The teams played two scoreless overtime periods, with both the Riots and the Lions getting some solid chances to score. The Riots had one close call with just over three minutes left in the first overtime, as a Lion shot got through the defense towards an open net, but the ball hit the post and deflected wide.

South Portland’s Julia Leighton had a chance to score with 5:27 left in the second overtime, but her shot went just wide and the game ended in a 1-1 tie.

The tie moved both teams to 0-5-1 on the season, and with a 1-0 loss to Portland on Sept. 20, the Riots are now 0-6-1.

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