Bookmark & share:

E-mail this page E-mail a letter to the editor Reader Comments (below)

By MATT DiFILIPPO
Staff Writer 10/31/2007

enlarge Staff photo by Jeff Pouland

SEASONS GREETINGS: Skowhegan Area High School goalie Megan Hancock is greeted by Makayla Hancock, center, and Lorri Hiltz (22) following the Indians’ victory over Gardiner Area High School in the Eastern Maine Class A final last week.

Today's Top Headlines
from the Kennebec Journal

All of today's: News | Sports
from the Kennebec Journal

Staff Writer

Mt. Blue's Marissa Allen scored on Sept. 6. Ebony Mills of Oxford Hills had a goal three weeks later. Gardiner's Kristyn Seymour scored last Wednesday.

That's it.

In 17 games, those are the only three goals allowed by the Skowhegan field hockey team, which will try for its seventh straight Class A state championship at 10 a.m., Saturday against Sanford at Fitzpatrick Stadium in Portland. That's one goal every 340 minutes. In contrast, the Indians have scored 72 goals.

"We just kept trying to push them and they just stepped up to everything that we've challenged with them," said Fawn Haynie, a former standout goalie for the Indians who now coaches the team's goalies. "I think a lot of times the work and the hours of practice go unnoticed."

During this century, 18-0 has been a great year for Skowhegan and 17-1 has been an off year. This fall was supposed to be a genuine off year for the Indians, as Skowhegan returned just four starters.

"We all knew it was probably going to be a rebuilding year," said Kylie Damon, a junior center back who is already being recruited by Division I colleges. "But we had a strong sophomore class. I thought we were going to be just fine."

Senior sweeper Melissa Hancock, who will play at Sacred Heart University next fall, is an anchor for the Indians and helps tilt the field with her long drives, but several other key players have much less experience. Back Makayla Hancock is a sophomore, as are both goalies, Megan Hancock and Sam Gray.

"I had both of them last year as freshmen," Haynie said. "There was a lot of instruction last year and this year was a year we could continue to build on their knowledge. They're both very athletic. They're both willing to do anything they possibly can for the team."

Of course, Skowhegan's offense and midfield have controlled the play so the Indians' defense is not constantly pounded by opposing offenses. But when other teams get opportunities, Skowhegan steps up. Coach Paula Doughty says Morgan Hisler and Makayla Hancock have surpassed all of her expectations and are two of the most consistent players on the team, and senior Katye Milligan, in her first year on the varsity, has played a key role in reserve.

"We communicate a lot," Hisler said. "We trust our teammates. We know that if maybe the ball gets by, another player will be there."

One last aspect that should not be overlooked is that goal by Allen. It gave Mt. Blue a 1-0 victory, and snapped a 33-game winning streak for the Indians. Since then, Skowhegan has won 15 straight, outscoring the opposition 68-2 in the process.

"I think it really had an effect on us, because it opened our eyes to see what a loss would be like," Hisler said. "We didn't like that feeling, and we worked as hard as we could so we wouldn't have to feel it again."

Matt DiFilippo -- 861-9243

mdifilippo@centralmaine.com

Bookmark and share this story: