BIDDEFORD — The Class A South field hockey quarterfinal showdown between the No. 1 Biddeford Tigers and No. 9 Thornton Academy Golden Trojans featured two of the top goalies in the state — and the two senior keepers certainly didn’t disappoint on Tuesday night at Waterhouse Field.
Both Biddeford’s Taylor Wildes and Thornton Academy’s Jenica Botting would make some highlight-reel saves and made it difficult for the opposing offenses all night long.
The host Tigers would break through with a goal late in the first half and they would add another in the second as they picked up a 2-0 win over the Trojans.

“We knew it was going to be a good goalie matchup and the girls respect (Botting) so much. I think getting two goals against (Botting), we are very proud of that,” said Biddeford coach Caitlin Albert.
Biddeford put plenty of pressure on Botting early in the contest, but it wouldn’t be until there was just 7:27 left in the first half when the Tigers got on the board. Megan Mourmouras took a pass from Harmonie Coolbroth and scored on a penalty corner to make it 1-0.
“It always feels good to (score) for the team, but we always still have to (play like) it’s a 0-0 game … anything can happen,” said Mourmouras on her first-half goal.
“Megan always comes up huge. Her goal really set the tone,” added Albert.
The 1-0 lead was a welcome sight to Wildes and the Biddeford defense.
“Megan’s goal really sent us into a whole other level. We got motivated off that and it took some pressure off me because for a while it was just in the midfield going back-and-forth so that goal really changed our whole attitude,” said Wildes.
The Tigers would add to their lead with 9:17 remaining in regulation when sophomore Abby Allen sent an absolute rocket into the cage. The second goal would also come on a penalty corner and was assisted by Mourmouras and Hailey Allen.
“It felt great because we had the lead and all we had to do was keep it up and maybe get another one,” said Allen.
Albert was happy to see her sophomore standout get on the board — and she’s hoping it’s a sign of things to come in the playoffs.
“It’s good for her because she’s had a couple games where she wasn’t scoring and as talented as she is I think it’s also big for other teams to shut her down. That can get in someone’s head obviously. I think that will be good for her going forward,” said Albert.

The 2-0 lead would be more than enough for Wildes and the Biddeford defense, which also got a strong game from sophomore Maddy Dineen.
“I was expecting a close game. It was the same exact score when we played them last time and I was expecting it to be tight and it could have been (even tighter). Taylor had some really good saves and it could have been tied easily,” said Albert. “I definitely think Taylor stepped up and some players like Maddy Dineen stepping up and getting that ball out of the circle defensively (was huge).”
Wildes made sure to show respect to Botting, who finished with 10 saves, after the game was over.
“I’ve known Jenica since we were in middle school. We played softball together. I went over and gave her a hug after the game,” said Wildes, who had seven saves in the win. “She’s a really, really good goalie and she had a lot of good saves. It was hard to score on her. I was proud of her. I went over and said after the game that she did a really good job.”
The Tigers (14-0-1) will now face the winner of Falmouth and Gorham in Saturday’s regional semifinal. That game will be right back at Waterhouse Field, which will also host this year’s Class A South championship game.
“We just play so well on (Waterhouse Field) and so it’s really exciting that we get to host playoffs throughout — and hopefully we’ll make it throughout,” said Wildes.
“It’s really nice (to be playing at home), especially with the new field — we are making history here,” added Mourmouras.
Thornton Academy finishes the 2018 season with a 9-6-1 record and will have to replace several important players, including Botting, Cat Henaire and Abby Pomerleau.
“Obviously, Cat Henaire just broke Libby Pomerleau’s assist record last game. She’s off to Merrimack (and is) certainly a talented player. Three of our seniors were on the regional championship team, so we’re going to miss them for sure. Abby Pomerleau has been a great leader along with Tori Labbe, our captains, so I’m going to miss them,” said TA coach Lori Smith.
— Sports Editor Pat McDonald can be reached at pmcdonald@journaltribune.com or at 780-9017. Follow the Journal Tribune Sports Department on Twitter @JournalTsports.

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