LISBON HIGH SCHOOL’S Kate Philbrick (28) defends against Oak Hill’s Courtney Roy (9) during the Western Maine Class Regional field hockey title game at Scarborough on Thursday. The Greyhounds won in double overtime, 2-1, and face Eastern C champ Winslow in the State Class C championship on Saturday at Thomas College in Waterville.
LISBON’S Molly Nicholson (7) is about to make a pass with Oak Hill’s Heather Hannigan (1) closing in.
All of that was forgotten on Thursday when Kahler tipped a shot past Oak Hill goaltender Abigail Fuller with 9.4-seconds remaining in the second overtime for a 2-1 Greyhounds victory in the Western Maine Class C Regional final at Scarborough High School.
“I didn’t even know that it was going to go in, and I turned around and heard the whistle. It was awesome,” said Kahler, who also assisted on Kate Philbrick’s tying goal 1:28 after top-seeded Oak Hill had taken a 1-0 lead. “This is the best that I could ask for as a senior. Losing 11 seniors, we were not sure how far we could go. I am so proud of everyone here.”
“Ari hasn’t been our scorer this year, but she has been teaching those younger players,” said Lisbon coach Julie Petrie. “She wanted it and is just a great leader for our team. She will do whatever it takes.”
Third-seeded Lisbon (15-2) moves on to the State Class C title game on Saturday at Thomas College in Waterville at 3 p.m. against Eastern C champ Winslow, which downed Dexter, 2-0, on Thursday at Hampden Academy.
Kahler’s goal capped two fast-moving 7-on-7 overtime sessions. Oak Hill (15-1-1), which downed the Greyhounds 4-0 and 2-0 during the Mountain Valley Conference season, nearly ended it twice in the first eightminute overtime, but Lisbon goaltender Victoria Swan, who took over the starting duties in the MVC title game win over Oak Hill, flashed her right pad on Raiders forward Hayley Marshall before somehow getting her left pad on the rebound of a point-blank shot by Kylee Veilleux.
“I thought the game had ended and I had shut my eyes, but Victoria had cleared it out,” said Petrie.
“I might have closed my eyes as well, but I think it was just instinct and we didn’t want our season to end like that,” said Swan, who had three saves. “I am always nervous until that first shot. Once I have that, I am good. I have a lot of confidence, and my team has confidence in me. Even when I let in a goal, they always pick me up.”
Starting strong
Both defenses dominated the early going. Lisbon’s Ali Bubar, Mia Durgin and Michaela Bedell handled Oak Hill’s Marshall, Kayla Veilleux and Heather Hannigan, while Lisbon struggled to find room inside the 25.
“I thought we started out strong, then we had a lapse for a few minutes, then they scored,” said Petrie. “We had a motto of never giving up and to work as a team, and we said no matter who scores first, we had to push right back. We did today and these girls came up big today.”
That motto was put to the test 6:34 into the second half when Kylee Veilleux put home a pass from Marshall for a 1-0 Raiders lead.
But, Lisbon answered quickly. Molly Nicholson tipped a pass to Kahler, who dished to her right as Philbrick made a run toward the goal. Her shot was placed perfectly inside the far past to tie the game just 88 seconds after Oak Hill had taken the lead.
“We could crawl under a rock and give up, or come together and go, and we came back hard and scored,” said Petrie.
Kahler’s game-winner came on Lisbon’s best chance in the overtime periods.
Courtney Lawrence subbed into the game, burst to a loose ball and sent a pass to Chase Collier. The speedy winger passed to Kahler, who managed to get her stick on the bouncing ball and past Fuller, who had two saves.
“I stopped and went down, wondering if had really just gone in, and my teammates jumped on me. It was a great feeling,” said Swan.
“They were all spent, and each of them played so hard today,” said Oak Hill coach Betsy Gilbert, who praised Petrie and the Greyhounds. “I respect them so much. Julie is a great coach and her team plays hard and competes. I have all respects for her and that team.
“My team worked hard all year long. It is a really hard day, to play so hard and so well and have it end today.”
Oak Hill finished with a 10-6 edge in penalty corners.
No. 3 Lisbon 2, No. 1 Oak Hill 1 (2 OTs)
Western C Regional Final
At Scarborough High School
Lisbon—0101—2
OakHill—0100—1
Goals — (L) Kate Philbrick, Arianna
Kahler; (OH) Kylee Veilleux.
Assists — (L) Arianna Kahler, Chase
Collier; (OH) Hayley Marshall.
Shots on goal — Lisbon 5, Oak Hill
4.
Saves — (L) Victoria Swan 3; (OH)
Abigail Fuller 2, Megan Labbe 1.
Penalty corners — Oak Hill 10, Lisbon 6.
Up next for the Greyhounds —
Against Eastern C champ Winslow at
Thomas College in Waterville on Saturday in State Class C Championship.
Game time is slated for 3 p.m.
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