By Mark Huard
OAKLAND – Skowhegan Area High School won its 20th Class A field hockey state championship, beating Cheverus, 3-2, on Nov. 5, to avenge last year’s championship loss to the Stags.
Skowhegan came back from a 2-1 deficit in the fourth quarter with quick goals by Elli Quinn and Layla Conway 37 seconds apart for the win. Samantha Thebarge and Kate Kelso assisted on the goals.
It was the River Hawks’ 27th trip to the state finals since 1991, a state record. One of its seven losses was last year was in the state final, 4-1, to Cheverus, of Portland. This year’s championship loss was the first in two years for Cheverus. Both teams went into the game with a 17-0 reccord.
Conway gave Skowhegan its first goal in the first quarter to go ahead, assisted by Laney Leblanc. Cheverus went ahead in the second quarter with two quick goals by sophomore standout Lucy Johnson.
Skowhegan made it to the championship game by winning its 21st Class A North final in a row, beating Oxford Hills, 3-2, in overtime. The River Hawks’ 27 regional final wins are a Maine record.
“I know we lost last year, and I guess some could say we’re underdogs, but we’re still Skowhegan field hockey,” Norrie Tibbetts, a team captain, said.
River Hawks coach Paula Doughty attributed the win to solid training and commitment of her players and coaching staff. She said the summer and fall were spent readying for the tournament, and the hard work paid off. She said assistant coaches Tammie Veinotte, Kim Leo, Fawn Haynie, Lizzie York and Megan Smith were instrumental in the team’s preparation and success.
Both teams went into the championship game with a 17-0 record. Cheverus had scored 138 goals on the season, allowing only five, and Skowhegan had scored 104 goals, with four against.
PHOTO: The 2022 Class A Field Hockey champion Skowhegan River Hawks. (Knightvision Photography photo)
