PORTLAND—It was deja vu all over again.

Until the end.

Tuesday evening at Fitzpatrick Stadium, three weeks after the Cheverus and Portland girls’ lacrosse teams played an overtime thriller, won by the Bulldogs, the city rivals squared off again with even bigger stakes in a Class A state preliminary round contest.

Which followed a familiar script.

Once again, there was little separation between the teams and once again, Portland rallied late to tie the score.

But this time, it would be the Stags smiling at the end.

And no overtime would be necessary.

The eighth-ranked Bulldogs started strong and held a 5-2 lead late in the first half, thanks in part to two goals apiece from standout seniors Elizabeth Littell and Eliza Stein.

But Cheverus hung around thanks to several key saves from senior goalie Elle Cooney and bolstered by undeniable sophomore Lucy Johnson, cut the deficit to just one at halftime, then tied the score just 20 seconds into the second half on a goal from junior Reese Belanger.

The Stags would score six consecutive goals in all to lead 8-5, but Portland refused to buckle and tied the score at 9-9 when senior Gabriela Membreno found the net with 5:56 to play and after Johnson scored her sixth goal just over a minute later, the Bulldogs drew even again at 10-10 when junior Phoebe Knoll converted a free position shot with 1:42 remaining.

Portland then had a chance to break Cheverus’ heart again, but turned the ball over and with just 14 seconds to play, after a great hustle play from junior Mackenzie Cash, Belanger buried the game-winner.

The Bulldogs got one final possession, but couldn’t produce a shot and the Stags survived and advanced, courtesy a riveting 11-10 victory.

Cheverus improved to 9-6, ended Portland’s season at 9-6 and in the process, advanced to take on top-ranked, two-time reigning Class A champion Kennebunk (14-0) in the quarterfinals Saturday at 11 a.m.

“It’s amazing,” said Stags coach Sarah Varney. “I’m really proud of the team. This was so fun. This was our season. We’ve climbed out of deficits all season long. We had two overtime losses this season, so to finally have a game like this go in our favor is a testament to the girls and their heart.”

Evenly matched

On May 16, Portland tied the score with 28 seconds left in regulation, then beat the visiting Stags, 12-11, on a Stein goal in overtime.

That was part of a 9-5 campaign, which featured a seven-game win streak (see sidebar, below, for links to previous stories)

Cheverus, meanwhile, went 8-6, winning its first four and two of its final three.

The city rivals had played three previous times in the postseason (see sidebar), with the Stags capturing two of those games, including the most recent, a 13-8 victory in the 2018 semifinals.

Tuesday, on a breezy and chilly evening (with temperatures dropping into the high-50s as the game wore on), Portland pushed Cheverus to the brink, but with the season hanging in the balance, the Stags made just one more play.

Littell won the opening draw and just 27 seconds in, senior Lilah Green scored on a free position shot to put the Bulldogs ahead.

Johnson answered immediately, winning the ensuing draw, racing through the defense as only she can, then beating Portland senior goalie Eva Smith.

After Cooney twice denied Stein and at the other end, Smith saved two shots from sophomore Sophia St. John and junior Taylor Krieger hit the post on a free position, the Bulldogs went on top, 2-1, as Stein fed Littell with 17:14 left in the first half.

Again, Cheverus answered, as Johnson beat Smith on a free position shot with 15:08 on the clock.

Portland then opened up a lead, as Stein scored unassisted with 12:43 left before halftime, Stein scored unassisted again, fighting through the defense along the way, with 6:45 to go, then Littell scored unassisted with 3:24 on the clock for a 5-2 advantage.

The Stags restored order just 30 seconds later, as Johnson earned a free position and sent the shot into the net.

Then, with 2:35 to play in the half, St. John fed Belanger for a goal to cut the deficit to one.

Smith saved a St. John free position shot which could have tied it and at the other end, Cooney robbed senior Emily Seavey, then saved a bid from Stein to keep the Bulldogs ahead by just one, 5-4, at the break.

Cheverus then roared out of the gate to start the second half, as Johnson won the draw, the ball came to St. John and St. John fed Belanger for the tying tally.

After Cooney saved a shot from Stein on a free position, the Stags took their first lead of the game with 20:52 remaining, as Johnson scored unassisted after a long run.

After a St. John free position shot bounced off the crossbar, Belanger scored unassisted with 19:44 left and the lead was two, forcing Portland coach Beth Broderick to call timeout.

It didn’t help, as Johnson won the ensuing faceoff and 18 seconds later, Cash set up St. John for an 8-5 lead.

But after Smith made a key save on a shot from Johnson and Cash missed just high, the Bulldogs began to come back.

With 18:01 remaining, in transition, Stein fed junior Gabriella Harrigan for a goal which ended Cheverus’ 6-0 surge.

Cooney tried to hold Portland at bay, denying Seavey and Stein, but with 14:29 on the clock, Knoll cut through the defense and finished unassisted to cut the deficit to one.

Johnson restored order 36 seconds later, finishing a feed from Belanger, but after Littell scored unassisted with 11:56 remaining, the Bulldogs drew even at 9-9 when Seavey passed ahead to Membreno in transition and Membreno beat Cooney for the goal.

The Stags responded with 4:48 left, as after Portland turned the ball over, Johnson took a pass from freshman Briella Doherty and scored to restore the lead.

Johnson then won the ensuing draw and milked nearly two minutes off the clock before Littell intercepted a pass.

In the offensive zone, the Bulldogs hoped to draw even, but a Green free position shot was saved by Cooney.

But then, with just 1:42 to go, Knoll was awarded a free position and sent her shot into the net to forge the game’s fifth and final tie.

Littell won the ensuing draw and Portland had a chance to pull it out, but with 45 seconds left, the Bulldogs committed a turnover.

That gave Cheverus one more chance in regulation and the Stags would capitalize.

They nearly threw the ball away, but Cash ran it down, then turned and spotted an open Belanger. Belanger took the pass, then fired a shot past Smith with just 14 seconds on the clock to put Cheverus on top for good.

“The ball went loose, Kenzie picked it up, I saw the opening and I went through and she hit me,” Belanger said. “It felt good.”

“It was 100 percent a team effort,” Varney said. “Hustle plays like that made a difference in the game.”

Littell won the ensuing draw and Portland looked to go on the attack and score a miraculous goal to force overtime, but this time, the Bulldogs weren’t able to generate a shot and the final horn sounded, allowing the Stags to celebrate their palpitating 11-10 victory.

“I’m glad it didn’t go to overtime this time,” said Cooney. “I was stressed enough with 14 seconds left. This really boosts our morale to continue on. It brings us together. It was a complete team effort. Everyone hustled today. That last play, everyone was on (their ball handler).”

“I think this time when we got frustrated, we did a really good job uniting and telling each other that we had each other’s back,” Belanger said. “We kept our next-play mentality. Going into the game, we wanted to stay positive and focus on what’s in front of us.”

“It was definitely nervewracking, but we kept our composure and we played our game,” said Johnson. “We did really well off the draw control and contained ourselves on defense. We really executed well.”

“We’re so well-matched,” Varney added. “Portland played an amazing game. I love these games. This is why we play.”

Johnson, who is the state’s best field hockey player and arguably the finest ice hockey player as well, led all scorers with six goals. She also won 16 of 23 draws and led all players with 10 ground balls.

“On draws, I just use all my strength to get the ball toward our scoring end and toward Reese,” said Johnson. “I gave all my effort. I think all my teammates helped me execute. I can’t take credit for all of it.”

“Lucy has an incredible amount of intensity and drive and perseverance,” Varney said. “That comes naturally to her and that’s what makes her an amazing all-around athlete. You can feel it on the field and her teammates pick up on that energy.”

Belanger added four goals, including the biggest of the game, and St. John also scored.

Cash and St. John each had two assists, while Belanger and Doherty added one apiece.

Cooney made 14 critical saves.

“I managed to figure out which players like to shoot where because they shot a lot,” Cooney said. “Once I recognized the pattern, I made the saves.”

“Elle did amazing,” said Johnson. “She had her eye on the ball the entire time.”

“(Elle) made huge saves,” added Varney. “Amazing saves that held us in the game. I’m proud of her as a senior captain to recognize she had to step up for this game.”

Cheverus had a 27-26 edge in ground balls (Belanger collected six) and overcame 24 turnovers.

All good things must end

Portland, meanwhile, got three goals from Littell, two apiece from Knoll and Stein and one each from Green, Harrigan and Membreno.

Stein assisted on two goals, while Seavey had one assist.

Smith made five saves.

Littell, Stein and senior Lauren Gerber shared team honors with five ground balls apiece.

The Bulldogs had a 31-22 edge in shots (24-16) on cage and committed 14 turnovers.

“It was a fun rematch and, although we didn’t come out on top this time, I really appreciated the tenacity from both teams,” said Broderick.

Portland graduates 11 seniors, including its goalie and some of its top goal producers.

“I think this year, the Bulldogs stood on the shoulders of all the teams who battled through the Covid wake,” Broderick said. “We’ve grown a lot as a program. There are more students trying lacrosse and they are coming for the culture these teams are building. This year, it wasn’t enough to get us to through the playoffs, but I believe the seniors are walking away with something more valuable than a record or outcome on the scoreboard. I’m grateful for the leadership on and off the field that celebrated kindness and effort.”

Portland’s cupboard won’t be bare next spring and you can expect another competitive team to make a run.

“We’ll be rebuilding again next year but the Bulldogs love a challenge and have plenty of hustle on reserve,” Broderick said.

A giant hill to climb

The Stags lost at home, 17-4, to Kennebunk May 30 in the regular season finale.

The teams have met twice previously in the tournament with Kennebunk taking both, 15-13 in the 2006 Western B semifinals and 10-5 in the 2007 Western B Final.

Kennebunk has won a state-record 46 consecutive games and hasn’t been remotely tested this spring, meaning Cheverus will be a decided underdog Saturday.

The Stags don’t care. They’ll show up anyway.

“We just need to play our game,” said Johnson. “We know what kind of team Kennebunk is, but we just need to hustle.”

“It won’t be easy, but I know we’ll give our all and I know we’ll leave feeling like we left everything out there,” Belanger said.

“I think we need to focus on us and our energy and hustle,” Varney added. “It’s anyone’s game from the start. As long as we focus on what we’re capable of, we can give Kennebunk a game and we’re excited for the opportunity.”

Sports Editor Michael Hoffer can be reached at mhoffer@theforecaster.net.

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