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By MATT DiFILIPPO
Staff Writer 11/03/2007

Staff Writer

The rumor is that the 2007 state field hockey games will be played eventually. But you can forgive people for having their doubts.

After postponing the games for one week because of rain, the Maine Principals' Association has rescheduled the games again. Instead of today, the games will be played Monday and Tuesday.

The MPA announced the decision in a press release Friday afternoon. All state championship soccer games scheduled for today have also been postponed.

The Class A field hockey game, matching Skowhegan and Sanford, will be played at 5 p.m. Monday. The Class B game, between Maranacook and Waterville, will follow at 7.

The Class C game between Foxcroft and Telstar will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

All state championship field hockey games will be played at Fitzpatrick Stadium in Portland.

For Classes A, B and C, the boys state championship soccer games will be played at 6 p.m. Monday and the girls games will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday. All games will be at the originally scheduled sites. The MPA has not yet made a decision on the Class D games, both of which match Richmond against Ashland.

The Waterville girls soccer team will play Gorham for the Class A title at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Windham High School. The Class B girls game between Winslow and York will also be at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Lewiston High School.

According to the MPA's press release, the games were postponed "due to the impending weather conditions for Saturday and in consideration for the safety of the athletes."

The Web site weather.com is predicting rain with winds of more than 40 mph in the Portland area today.

The decision is a fortunate one for Waterville fans. School officials had been hoping to change the soccer game time so fans could see both the field hockey and soccer teams play for state championships. With the games now on different days, fans can see both without conflict.

"We have a big following at the school," Waterville athletic director Doug Frame said. "We had a lot of staff and the administration split up with both games (Saturday), and now obviously they'll be able to see both. So I think it will make for a better situation."

Due to daylight-saving time, all games will be played in the dark and under the lights. The Maranacook-Waterville game at 7 p.m. Monday will likely be played in especially cold weather for field hockey.

"Playing on turf, it won't be so bad," Maranacook coach Julie Schmidt said. "They're going to be so pumped up to play under the lights with all the fans, so they'll have enough adrenaline to keep them going."

Matt DiFilippo -- 861-9243

mdifilippo@centralmaine.com

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