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With a 3-0 lead heading into the final quarter the River Hawks looked on their way to defend their field hockey state title. Despite being out shot 2-1 in the third period, and Messo have 1-0 penalty quarter advantage, Laney Leblanc scored the lone tally in the period to increase the lead. But Messalonskee didn’t go away quietly in the 3-1 game. Sophia Ventimiglia finally got the Eagles on the board with just over five minutes gone in the final frame. The Eagles then got four straight penalty corner chances but only managed one shot on goal that Michela Provost saved.
The River Hawks were able to defend well enough and finally salt away the clock to seal a trip to Lewiston to play Chevrus again for a state championship. Skowhegan controled the first half in Oakland. Sydalia Savage scored in the first quarter after Leblanc had a shot bounce off a goal post. Leblanc then added the second goal in the next period as the River Hawks out shot the Eagles 4-0 in the half and had a 4-3 penalty corner advantage.
Messalonskee came alive in the second half after getting their first shot on goal halfway through the 3rd quarter. It was part of a late flurry as Alexa Caccamo had two deflections get saved right at the doorstep. However, their best chance was as the buzzer sounded and Caccamo couldn’t redirect an Abby Stevens pass on an open net. The Eagles out shot Skowhegan 6-2 in the 2nd
half and had a 5-2 penalty corner advantage but couldn’t cash in.
The River Hawks won the rubber match after suffering their first regular season loss in two years at Messalonskee on September 18th. Ventimiglia’s goal was the first goal Skowhegan had surrendered since that 2-1 loss in Oakland.
Skowhegan will face Chevrus in Lewiston on Saturday for the third straight matchup in the state championship. The River Hawks won last year and the Stags won the year before.
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