Cheverus gets its revenge, wins Class A title in final minute

LEWISTON—Lucy Johnson is graceful, athletic, a prolific goal scorer and is extraordinarily talented.

She’s also tough as nails.

And clutch.

And thanks to Johnson’s heroics, Cheverus’ field hockey team got to taste revenge and raise a championship trophy to the heavens.

Saturday afternoon at Don Roux Field on the campus of Lewiston High School, the Stags, who were utterly unstoppable during the regular season and regional playoffs, took on the state’s greatest dynasty, the Skowhegan River Hawks, in a Class A state game that was highly anticipated and more than lived up to billing.

And wasn’t decided until the 60th minute.

Johnson was knocked to the turf on multiple occasions early and couldn’t solve the River Hawks defense or goalie Michela Provost, but with 5:09 to go in the first quarter, she was able to get the ball to senior Mikayla Talbot, who finished for a 1-0 lead.

Cheverus nearly got to the half with that advantage, but with just five seconds remaining, off a penalty corner, Skowhegan drew even when senior Layla Conway rebounded home a shot from junior Sydalia Savage.

The Stags completely dominated the second half, outshooting the River Hawks, 9-0, while taking six corners to none, but they couldn’t break the tie in the third period or for the first 14 minutes of the fourth.

But with overtime looming, Johnson, already the state record holder for career goals, finally got some room and she wouldn’t be denied.

With just 58 seconds to play, Johnson raced in on goal and flicked a shot into the net for the 118th time in her career and Cheverus had the lead.

The Stags then just had to hold off the River Hawks’ final foray and when sophomore Joey Pompeo flicked the ball away, a 52-week odyssey had come to an end and the championship was won, 2-1.

Cheverus capped its season of redemption and domination with an 18-0 record, won Class A for the second time and in the process, ended Skowhegan’s campaign at 16-2.

“It’s amazing,” Johnson said. “I have no words. It was such a relief when the buzzer rang and we could celebrate.”

Two titans

Cheverus has focused on the task at hand all autumn, but let’s face it, the Stags had to have had Skowhegan in the back of their minds after last year’s brutally painful 3-2 state game loss, which saw the River Hawks come from behind.

Cheverus took out its frustrations on Class A South (see sidebar for links to previous stories), winning all 14 regular season games by a composite 84-3 margin, then rolled through the regional field, 15 goals to none, eliminating No. 8 Massabesic (3-0), fourth-ranked Scarborough (7-0) and finally No. 3 Biddeford (5-0).

Skowhegan, meanwhile, did what it always does, show a hint of mortality during the regular season (losing to Messalonskee), but flipping the switch when the playoffs arrive.

The River Hawks eliminated No. 8 Hampden Academy (13-0), No. 5 Edward Little (5-0) and No. 2 Messalonskee (3-1) to reach the state game for the mindboggling 22nd consecutive campaign a tournament was contested (there were no playoffs in 2020 due to the pandemic).

Cheverus’ three previous state game appearances all featured showdowns versus Skowhegan. The Stags lost in 2010 (3-0), won two years ago (4-1), then were upset last year.

Saturday, on a most comfortable 55 degree afternoon, after sophomore goalie Ellie Skolnekovich sang the national anthem, Cheverus wasn’t going to be denied, but the River Hawks made the Stags work for all 60 minutes before they could finally exult.

Just 30 seconds into the game, Johnson was tripped up. Moments later she sank to the turf after taking a shot off her leg.

Cheverus had early chances to go on top, but River Hawks junior goalie Michela Provost denied junior Zoey Radford, Johnson had a backhanded shot deflected on top of the goal, then Johnson weaved through three defenders before shooting just wide.

Then, with 5:09 remaining in the first quarter, Johnson set up Talbot, who poked the ball past Provost for a 1-0 advantage.

Late in the frame, Skowhegan looked to answer, but off a penalty corner, senior Masyn Atwood had a shot blocked, then the River Hawks got to play out another corner after time expired, but Johnson cleared the ball away.

Neither team had a great opportunity in the second period until the final minute.

Then, with 45 seconds to go, Stags senior standout Lily Johnson broke up a rush from Savage, but Skowhegan earned a corner and after Skolnekovich stopped a bid from Savage, Conway pounced on the rebound and finished and with just 5 seconds showing, the River Hawks had drawn even and gained momentum.

But that proved to be Skowhegan’s highwater mark, as it wouldn’t register a shot in the second half.

Cheverus would dominate the opportunities in the third and fourth quarters, but for the longest time, had nothing to show for it.

Early on, a rush from talented sophomore Joey Pompeo was broken up by senior Laney LeBlanc.

With 9:50 to go in the third period, the Stags earned their first penalty corner and it resulted in a good look by Pompeo, but Provost made the save and when Lucy Johnson tried to convert the rebound, she was stymied as well.

Midway through the frame, Lucy Johnson eluded the defense as only she can, then sent a backhander just wide.

“We are very good at marking people,” LeBlanc said. “If (Lucy) beats one of us, there’s always somebody right there. We have a very good defensive set back there. It’s kind of our game and how we wanted to play. We’re a very defensive team, we always think defense is going to make us win.”

With 3 minutes on the clock, Pompeo played the ball in and it was tipped on target, but Provost made the save, then in the ensuing scrum, the ball was eventually cleared out of harm’s way.

After a Lucy Johnson rush was broken up by Savage and a Johnson shot was saved by Provost, Cheverus got another corner in the final minute, but couldn’t produce a shot and the game went to the final stanza tied, 1-1.

There, the Stags got an immediate corner, but after taking a pass from senior Taylor Krieger, Lily Johnson was robbed by Provost.

Longtime Skowhegan coach Paula Doughty called timeout with 8:20 left, but her team couldn’t generate an attack.

Lucy Johnson momentarily stayed on the sidelines, but soon returned to the game.

“It was definitely a little frustrating, but Coach tells me that if they get in my head to not let them see it,” Johnson said. “I’ve been working on that. I think I kept my composure more today than I usually do.”

With just 1:55 remaining, Cheverus took another corner that was broken up by the River Hawks’ defense.

With the potential of overtime looming, Johnson ensured that wouldn’t be necessary.

The winning play began with Johnson getting the ball along the left sideline. She then sped past a couple defenders and before getting to the end line, turned toward the goal. Provost tried to cut off Johnson’s angle, but Johnson flicked the ball past her, into the net, and with 58 seconds to go, the Stags finally had the lead, 2-1.

“Once I came back in, I had that spark because I wanted to win,” said Johnson, who wore ice packs on both knees following the game due to the punishment she incurred. “I knew every single time I tried to score, I went left, brought it back to my strong side and the goalie stopped it every single time by going down and using her legs. I tried to lift that one up. It was such a relief to score and was definitely exhilarating, but we still had a minute left and we told each other it wasn’t over yet.”

“I had a feeling Lucy was going to score,” Lily Johnson said. “I know her and how hard she works. We didn’t want to go to overtime, so it was definitely a relief.”

“We had no doubt that Lucy would get it done,” said Pompeo. “I was on the right side of the field and I just saw the ball hit the back of the net and everyone was so relieved.”

“As it got down to the last minute, I turned my mind to getting ready if we went to overtime, but I still had a seed of confidence that we could make something happen,” Cheverus coach Theresa Arsenault added. “Lucy on the left side is one of our biggest strength. Even though it was against their strong side, her ability to move defenders and her teammates pushing up right behind her knowing they’ll have her back was great.

“I’m so happy for Lucy, she worked really hard today. For her to put in that last goal was really sweet. She’s come a long way this year. Everyone has their eye on her, a lot of extra defense. That’s a lot of pressure. She just continued to persevere. I’m very proud of her.”

Skowhegan immediately pressured the Stags, looking to somehow extend the game, but with 35 seconds on the clock, Pompeo cleared the ball from the circle.

“I was just like, ‘Get it out of here,'” said Pompeo. “It was definitely nerve-wracking, but we pushed those thoughts out and we just stuck to our game and pushed through and got it done.”

“I knew once we had that lead that we had to get the ball out of our zone,” Lucy Johnson said.

Cheverus then pushed the ball back up the field and at 2:41 p.m., the horn sounded and the Stags were able to celebrate their breathtaking 2-1 victory.

“I’m speechless, beyond excited,” Lily Johnson said. “I think we really deserved it. We worked hard all season for this. It was just so special being back here. We’ve worked hard all season to get here. We stayed positive and had great communication. We played the same the whole game. We didn’t have to bounce back (after their goal). We just had to maintain our focus and play together and keep our cool.”

“It feels so good,” Pompeo said. “We really wanted it. It’s so awesome. We worked for this the whole season and it really paid off. When I heard the horn, I was so happy.”

“Last year was an upset, so coming back and getting our revenge was amazing,” said Lucy Johnson. “It was a great atmosphere. All of our fans really encouraged us.”

“It’s a sweet feeling,” added Arsenault. “I’m so happy for the team. The girls worked extremely hard today and that makes it special. We wanted to play a top team. That fire was inside the girls after last year. They had a lot more confidence this year. They believed in each other and supported each other. That’s a cornerstone of our team.

“(Skowhegan) had great defensive pressure, but we trusted in our offense. We got shots and corners, but we trusted each other to keep putting the pressure on. We’ve been there before. We just stayed true to who we are. Staying together, staying strong and continuing to fight.”

Arsenault, who as Theresa Hendrix, was one of the program’s early stars, marveled after the victory at how far Cheverus field hockey has come.

“I do reflect back and I hope the girls realize what they’ve done for this program,” Arsenault said. “I got there when field hockey had only been around a few years. As an alumnae, I’m super-proud and super-honored.”

The Stags finished with an 11-2 shots advantage and took six corners to Skowhegan’s three.

Skolnekovich only had to make one save, as her defense did its job in holding the potent River Hawks in check.

“Our defense this year was amazing and defense wins championships,” said Lily Johnson, who was a big part of it. “(Sophomore) Anna (Kennedy-Jensen), (sophomore) Jordan Drouin, (senior captain) Charlotte Miller, Taylor Krieger, everybody in the back, worked so hard to get the ball up to the forwards. That’s where it all starts. Them making saves, tackles, good passes. We just got the ball out on defense.”

“We knew defense would win this game and to let up just one today is just awesome,” Arsenault said. “Our defense was so strong, top to bottom.”

Skowhegan got nine saves from Provost, but fell one goal shy of a repeat crown.

“I think we worked as hard as we could,” said LeBlanc. “We played our game, we worked as a unit. I’m just proud of our team and how we played against them.”

Encore?

The only sad news for Cheverus Saturday is that it will have to say goodbye to a talented and accomplished group of seniors, led by Lily Johnson, who is a finalist for Miss Maine Field Hockey, along with Skowhegan’s Conway and LeBlanc.

“It was great to end on this high note,” said Johnson, who will play at Boston University next year. “There’s nothing better than the career I had. It was the most ideal situation anyone could ask for. Our teams all four years have been so special.”

“Lily doesn’t get enough credit for what she does,” said Lucy Johnson. “She’s the core to our defense. She stops every single ball, always has great aerials to the midfield and forwards. She has a great shot on corners too.”

“Lily might be one of the best players I ever get an opportunity to coach,” added Arsenault. “She has a great field hockey IQ. She has the ability to make everything happen even if she doesn’t get the recognition. She’s a great leader and a great player. She’s so fun to watch.”

Also departing will be Krieger, Miller, Talbot, captain Mackenzie Cash, Lauren Kutz, Meredith McKeeman, Brynn McKenney and Elizabeth Merrill.

“The seniors left their hearts on the field every single practice and every single game,” said Arsenault. “They were the nucleus to our team. Their positivity and leadership were special.”

No one will be weeping for the Stags, however, who not only return Lucy Johnson, who figures to put her state scoring record into the stratosphere, but also Drouin, Kennedy-Jensen, Pompeo, Radford, Skolnekovich, Sophia St. John and freshmen Sydney Brunelle and Caroline Rousseau. Some new players will likely step right into big roles as well.

Meaning that there will likely be more championship celebrations in the near future.

“I think it will be the same thing next year,” said Pompeo. “We’ll have a really strong team again. I think we can come back and do it again.”

“It’s definitely sad that I won’t be able to play with my sister next year, but we’ll come back a new team and we’ll continue to be strong,” Lucy Johnson said.

“We lose our big midfield line, but they taught the underclassmen and we have a lot of depth too,” Arsenault added.

“I’m excited about next year.”

Press Herald staff writer Drew Bonifant contributed to this story.