Consecutive title streaks at stake in finals
By MATT DiFILIPPO
Staff Writer
Teams aren't quite sure what to expect in today's state field hockey championships at Gorham High School. But everyone agrees on one thing: At least the weather will be better.
Last November, it was so cold in Gorham that the school set up tents around each bench complete with portable heaters. This year, some forecasts are calling for temperatures as high as 72 degrees.
"It has to make for a better game," said Greely High School coach Robyn Thayer, whose team is facing Winslow High School in the Class B final for the third consecutive year. "We were freezing last year. The ground was hard. I remember girls sliding around."
The order of games rotates every year, and this time the three games are in reverse order of their classes. Dexter High School and St. Dominic High School face off for the Class C title at 10 a.m., the Winslow-Greely game is at noon, and the Class A game between Skowhegan Area High School and Deering High School starts at 2 p.m.
Both Winslow and Dexter have a chance to win a fourth straight state title, something no school has done before in field hockey. Skowhegan, meanwhile, is trying for its third straight state championship.
Greely and Winslow are familiar opponents. The Black Raiders defeated younger Greely teams by 1-0 scores in each of the last two seasons. In last year's game, the Rangers dominated the first half and had several near-misses on scoring chances but had no answer when Winslow stepped up its play in the second half.
"I think we're much more confident this year," Thayer said. "Some of that comes from the experience. Two years ago, we were very young in the state championship game. Last year, I started a lot of juniors. This year, those juniors are seniors. With their age and experience now, they're much more ready to play in that type of game."
In Class A, Skowhegan enters the state final with an undefeated record for the second straight year. Last fall, the Indians rolled over an overmatched Edward Little High School team. Deering was upset by EL in the regional final. Coming into today's game, the Rams have won 16 in a row since a season-opening loss to Westbrook High School.
"They're not going to be No. 1 in the west if they're not any good," Skowhegan coach Paula Doughty said. "Of course they're good. To think otherwise would be ridiculous."
The only one of today's games that matches two unbeaten teams is the first one of the day. Dexter has won 62 games in a row and is undefeated since 1999. St. Dom's felt it should have been in the states last fall, and made that goal a reality this year.
St. Dom's may be the kind of team which won't be intimidated by Dexter's gaudy offensive numbers. While the Tigers have scored 120 goals, St. Dom's is around 90. While Dexter's Meagan Fogarty and Brittany Veazie have combined for 65 goals, St. Dom's sisters Erica and Elisha Dorso have combined for 57.
"I know my girls can rise to the occasion under the circumstances," Saints coach Brian Kay said. "We know they have a good team, but we have a good team, too."
So what fans will see today are three teams which are trying to continue their dynasties and three more teams -- each of whom could have started a dynasty of their own last season if things had broken right -- hoping that a new team gets to hold up the plaque today.
"It's a state game," Winslow coach Lori Loftus said, "and no matter what, every girl is out there realizing this is it."
Matt DiFilippo -- 861-9243
mdifilippo@centralmaine.com
Copyright © 2003 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.