The Westbrook Lady Blazes defeated Noble 3-0 to open the Western Class A field hockey playoffs on Saturday, and will move on to face top-seeded Sanford on Wednesday (the game is being played after the American Journal’s deadline, see keepMEcurrent.com for more on that game).

Junior forward Ashley Clifford scored twice in the first half, with both goals coming on assists from junior forward Erin Murphy. Junior midfielder Cori Knott added an unassisted goal in the second half for Westbrook.

For the Noble Knights, senior goalie Erica Fernandez made 15 saves during the contest.

“We took this game as ‘it’s anybody’s game,’ so the girls weren’t thinking so much, ‘just because it’s Noble that we’ll take them lightly’,” said Westbrook head coach Beth Murphy. “This week, practices have been positive, and things are working well. We’ll take on anybody.”

Westbrook took a 1-0 lead 6:31 into the game when Clifford scored off a pass from Erin Murphy. The Lady Blazes went up 2-0 when the same Murphy-to-Clifford combination came though a little over four minutes later.

“I was really nervous going into today, and when I get nervous, I don’t play as well,” said Clifford. “But, when Erin’s taking it down, I feel comfortable, and I just get on my post, get my stick down, and try to get it in.”

“Ashley and I have been playing together since sixth grade, I know she’s always on the post, and she’s phenomenal,” said Erin Murphy. “I try to go to her most of the time because I know she will get the stick on the ball.”

“(Clifford) has a nose for the goal,” said Coach Murphy. “She plays her post well, and she knows her position, which is how we ended up getting those two goals out there today, two of the three. And she’s only a junior, so we’re glad to have her back.”

For the Noble Lady Knights, they made it to the playoffs with a much improved season compared to last year.

“I was just happy to be in the playoffs,” said Noble head coach Judi Cornelius. “We were totally out of it last year; we were 2-11-1. For us to come back and be seeded ninth this year, I was pleased with the kids, how they came around and played.”

Westbrook took a 3-0 lead just over five minutes in the second half on an unassisted goal by Cori Knott. The Lady Blazes kept the pressure on Noble for the remainder of the game, but Noble goalie Erica Fernandez made 11 saves in the second half to stop the scoring from Westbrook.

With the win, the eighth-seeded Lady Blazes looked forward to facing top-seeded Sanford.

“It’s going to be an upset for (Sanford), because they’re number one,” said Erin Murphy. “We’re not losing anything, we’re just gaining momentum when we beat them.”

“We know (Sanford) is a good team, they’re not 14-0 for nothing,” said coach Murphy. “Those seniors have been playing together for a long time, but I think my kids are ready to play. We’re going to go out, do the best we can, and hopefully take a win home.”