READFIELD — Olivia Ridley scored the game’s only goal 26 minutes into the first half as seventh-seeded Sacopee Valley defeated fifth-seeded Maranacook 1-0 in the Western C girls soccer championship at Ricky Gibson Field of Dreams on Thursday.

Sacopee (13-2-3) advanced to the state championship, which is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Saturday at Deering High School. Maranacook, which was knocked out of last year’s regional semifinal by the Hawks, ends its season 13-4-1.

Additional Images

Staff photo by Andy Molloy Maranacook players huddle around each other as Sacopee Valley players celebrate their 1-0 victory in the Western C title game Wednesday in Readfield.

“This is just Cloud 9 right now. We wanted this so bad,” Ridley said.

Ridley redirected a direct kick by Courtney Ryan and, from about six yards out, found the lower right corner of the net to give the Hawks the lead.

“It was a set play and an amazing cross from Courtney Ryan. All I did was get a leg on it and it goes in,” Ridley said. “I was just trying to get a body on it. I was just happy that it was on goal.”

Sophomore Madison Day made six saves in net for the Hawks’ third shutout in four tournament wins. The last three victories have come on the road. The Hawks made a similar run in last year’s tournament, including a 1-0 semifinal win at Maranacook, before falling to Waynflete in the regional final.

“I think (last year) helped us. We’re basically the same team. All we lost was one senior,” Day said. “We’re pretty much the same team on pretty much the same road except (the regional final) isn’t where it ended this time.”

Liz D’Angelo made seven saves for Maranacook. Sacopee outshot the Black Bears 14-9.

Maranacook controlled play for the first 20 minutes of the contest but couldn’t generate many opportunities at the offensive end.

“We just didn’t gel in the middle,” Maranacook coach Mike Morin said. “I think we were a physically stronger team. It showed in the first 10 minutes but then it just kind of fizzled out and we sat back on our heels.”

“Once we started to settle the ball down, play the ball with our feet a little bit, it definitely came our way for quite a while,” Sacopee Valley coach Kevin Murphy said. “The goal was a result of us pushing forward, playing a little more up-tempo up top and that pressure turned into a good opportunity.”

The Black Bears’ best chance to tie the game developed midway through the second half as one of the Black Bears’ headed a Jana Elwell throw-in backward toward the net. The ball bounced to Sarah Clough for the second touch but her shot from about 10 yards out was high.

“We have a great group of seniors and they’ve all worked hard. They played well and that’s all you can ask for them,” Morin said.

Randy Whitehouse — 621-5638

rwhitehouse@mainetoday.com

Twitter: @RAWmaterial33