GARDINER — For the first time this season, a blemish on the dominant Lawrence field hockey team’s record seemed likely, if not inevitable on Wednesday night.
And then Maddie Niles came to the rescue.
Locked in a 1-1 game with Gardiner, Niles found herself in the right place at the right time, and buried a game-winner with 1.7 seconds left on the clock.
“It was definitely nerve-wracking,” Niles said. “Everyone is screaming. Being down so many players, with it being 7-(on)-7 (in overtime), you don’t have many people (back on defense) or with you. It’s really just beating one defender and seeing the next person up and it was just a perfect opportunity.”
Added Lawrence head coach Shawna Robinson: “Gardiner is always tough, and it’s (Gardiner’s) senior game, no one wants to play anyone in a senior game. We knew what we were up against (Wednesday). It was the first game all year long where (Lawrence) got scored on first, so for us to come back and persevere, that’s a tremendous win for us.”
The Bulldogs (12-0), who have won 25 of their last 26 games dating to last season, are making quick work of their competition this fall. They’ve out-scored the opposition 59-4, and had not trailed in any game until falling behind 1-0 to Gardiner on Wednesday night.
The dominant season also played a role in Lawrence receiving some national attention. The Bulldogs are ranked No. 22 in the MaxPreps.com national high school field hockey rankings. They join Cheverus (No. 11) and Skowhegan (No. 13) as nationally ranked Maine programs. MaxPreps.com used a computer program to rank teams that largely factors in team records and strength of schedule.
“It’s kind of crazy,” said Lawrence senior Hope Bouchard, who scored the game-tying goal Wednesday night. “It’s really weird to picture all the other field hockey teams in the country and we’re right up there with them. It’s a really awesome feeling. We like to flex on our football team on that aspect, like, ‘Hey, we’re ranked nationally.'”
Lawrence senior Alicen Higgins (2) takes a shot as Gardiner’s Maddy Blais defends during a Class B game Wednesday night in Gardiner. Michael G. Seamans/Morning Sentinel
Robinson credits much of this year’s success to her veterans, led by Bouchard, the reigning Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference Class B Player of the Year. Fellow senior Alicen Higgins has also been a major presence on offense all season, as well.
“It’s leadership,” Robinson said. “We’ve got 11 seniors. We start nine seniors, along with two sophomores.”
“I think our team chemistry (has stood out),” Bouchard added. “Each year, we’ve tried to work on it more and more and more. It’s something that really puts us together as a team.”
Another contributing factor to the success this fall? The breakout season from Niles, who has scored more than 20 goals and has scored at least three goals in at least four games.
“I just think about what I’m going to do next (on the field) and it just seems to work out,” Niles said. “Just seeing the field (well) is all that matters.”
Lawrence senior Alicen Higgins tries to get around Gardiner defender Maddy Blais during a Class B game Wednesday night in Gardiner. Michael G. Seamans/Morning Sentinel
There’s still work to be done.
Lawrence has never made an appearance in a state championship game. The Bulldogs fell one game short of reaching that goal last season, losing 1-0 in the Class B North final to Old Town, despite having a 20-6 advantage in penalty corners. Strong competition lurks in the B North playoffs. Belfast (8-1-1) — a historically strong program with six Class B titles — sits at No. 2 in the B North standings. No. 3 Nokomis (7-4-1) and No. 4 Gardiner (9-3) also pose as threats.
But if Wednesday night provided any indication, the Bulldogs will be up for the challenge.
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