OAKLAND — A year ago, the Lawrence field hockey team had its undefeated season spoiled by Old Town in a 1-0 loss in the Class B North regional final.
On Tuesday afternoon, the Bulldogs left nothing to chance and made sure history would not repeat itself.
Maddie Niles scored six goals to carry No. 1 Lawrence to a 9-0 win over No. 8 Old Town in a Class B North quarterfinal game at Veterans Field. The game was moved to Oakland due to poor field conditions in Fairfield.
“It was definitely exciting to win, especially after last year (in the regional final),” said Niles, a sophomore. “We really wanted this, with all of us working together. We really wanted to win.”
It was a standout game in a breakout season for Niles, whose previous game-high scoring mark was four.
“It’s pretty exciting,” Niles said. “It feels really amazing to just connect on passes with my teammates… Being able to connect (with a teammate) and watch the ball (get in the cage) is an amazing feeling.”
Lawrence (15-0) scored early and often, with Niles and Ashtynn Stewart each scoring two goals to give the Bulldogs a 4-o halftime lead. Niles added four more goals in the second half — two in the third quarter and two in the fourth — to lengthen the lead. Alicen Higgins added a goal in the fourth quarter to seal the victory.
Lawrence’s Elizabeth Crommett, right, defends Old Town’s Kayleigh Wagner during Class B North quarterfinal field hockey action Monday in Oakland. Rich Abrahamson/Morning Sentinel
“We weren’t flat (to start the game),” Lawrence head coach Shawna Robinson said. “We came to play (Tuesday) and that makes me one happy coach.”
Lawrence kept offensive pressure on Old Town (6-9) throughout the contest, constantly crashing the cage. The Bulldogs also had a 9-0 advantage over the Coyotes in penalty corners. Old Town had just one shot on goal the entire contest, early in the third quarter.
Robinson said she was proud of her team being able to make the transition to turf for the game. The Bulldogs play their home games on a grass field.
“We had a (scrimmage last week) against Skowhegan and the girls played really well there,” Robinson said. “That definitely helped us. (We’re) fast, and when we’re clicking on all cylinders, (the forwards) can do a bunch of trouble. I’m glad I don’t have to defend it.”
The Bulldogs will host the winner of the quarterfinal game between No. 4 Gardiner (10-3-1) against No. 5 Cony (7-6-1) in the semifinals on Saturday.
“It’s the playoffs, there’s no easy (game),” Robinson said. “We’re hosting, so we hope (the surface) helps. Hopefully, the field can hold up, it didn’t hold up (Monday night).”
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