YARMOUTH

Playing on a different and faster surface against a determined Greenville squad, the Richmond High School girls soccer team struggled to find the right formula in Wednesday’s Western Maine Class D title game.

However, Andra Meagher turned a frustrating day into pure jubilation, scoring the game’s only goal with 6:44 remaining to lift the top-seeded Bobcats to a 1-0 victory.

Richmond (15-0-1) will look for its third consecutive Class D state title on Saturday against the winner of today’s Eastern D final between Penobscot Valley and Washburn, with kickoff scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at Hampden Academy.

“I have been saving that one, easily the biggest goal I have ever scored,” said Meagher of her second goal of the season that came at the perfect time. “The ball just skidded through the other players and landed right at my feet.”

Game-long standout Sadie Gosse sent a pass that bounded through several players to Meagher, whose shot beat Greenville (11-4-1) goaltender Molly Foley (eight saves) inside the left post.

The goal completed a dominating second half of soccer for Richmond, which outshot the Lakers 10-0 in the final 40 minutes. Greenville rarely crossed midfield after an evenly-played first half.

“I challenged our midfielders, the strength of our team, and we weren’t controlling it the way we are used to controlling it,” said Richmond coach Troy Kendrick. “I like the way they responded. As the second half wore on, we were really knocking on the door. We were outhustled and outworked in the first half. We had to be a little more busy and active.”

“We wanted to score first, come at them and load up, just try not to only play defense,” said Greenville coach Chris Fenn. “If we get the first goal in, then we could have packed it in on defense. I think we just got tired. Troy put three subs in every couple minutes, and our kids started to fade. We were playing for the tie and practiced a lot of penalty kicks this week, but they got the one goal and that is all they needed.”

Fast surface

Both teams struggled to find a rhythm on the North Yarmouth Academy turf field. The move south was made after Hurricane Sandy washed out Richmond’s home field.

Richmond produced the game’s first scoring chances, with Gosse and Autumn Acord each shooting high. Foley made a diving save of a Gosse shot with 25:30 remaining until halftime, and turned away Amber Loon five minutes later.

Greenville began to take over, winning several 50-50 balls in the midfield and pinning the Bobcats in their defensive zone. Richmond netminder Kelsie Obi made a nice stop on Shelby Ward and handled a pair of chances by Olivia Bouchard to keep the game scoreless.

“It seemed like the surface affected us, with us chasing balls the entire first half,” said Kendrick, whose squad held a narrow 8-5 shots advantage at the break. “It certainly took us a little while to settle down. The kids were a little bit disappointed to not be on their field, and it showed early.”

“We play a really fast game, so we were expecting to have a good game on this field, but Greenville was flying right to the ball and was really aggressive,” said Meagher.

Richmond set up shop on Greenville’s side of the field early in the second half, led by Bobcat defenders Bri Snedeker, Marlena Carter, Ciarra Lancaster and Haley Murphy.

“I was expecting a bunker back there, and as the game wore on they packed it in a lot more,” said Kendrick of Greenville. “I liked the second half much better. Our defense really stepped it up. We created a bunch of chances.”

“Coach Kendrick pumped us up during the half and got us really going. We went a lot harder in the second half,” said Meagher.

After the goal, Greenville attempted to send passes forward, but Richmond midfielders Payton Johnson, Taylor Clapp and Gosse held firm, continuously cutting the Laker forwards off before sending the ball back into Greenville’s zone.

“We had to gamble after they scored and see what we could do,” said Fenn. “These kids played their heart out today.”

“I’m proud of these kids,” added Kendrick, who had to retool after losing top scorer Danica Hurley and goaltender Lindsy Hoopingarner to graduation. “We’re different this season, possibly more difficult to defend because we have several kids who can step up and score. It showed right there, with Andra getting the winning goal.”

Both teams attempted three corner kicks. Obi had three stops for the shutout, her 12th of the campaign and third against Greenville.

No. 1 Richmond 1,
No. 2 Greenville 0

Western Maine Class D Girls Championship
At North Yarmouth Academy
Greenville — 0 0 — 0
Richmond — 0 1 — 1
Goal — (R) Andra Meagher.
Assist — (R) Sadie Gosse.
Shots — Richmond, 18-5.
Saves — (G) Molly Foley 8; (R) Kelsie Obi 3.
Corner kicks — 3-3.
Records — Richmond 15-0-1, Greenville 11-4-1.
Next for the Bobcats — Saturday at Hampden Academy in the State Class D Championship against
Washburn/Penobscot Valley winner, 5:30 p.m.