Gardiner and Winslow high schools have long enjoyed a rivalry on a variety of surfaces, from fields to ice and courts.
On Tuesday, that rivalry will be showcased in a pair of playoff contests — a Class B North quarterfinal soccer game followed by a regional final in field hockey.
“It’s kind of cool,” said Gardiner girls soccer coach Chad Kirk, whose No. 12 Tigers upset No. 5 Mount Desert Island in the prelims to help up the unique doubleheader. “It’s going to be bragging rights for somebody.”
The soccer game is scheduled to start at 3 p.m. at Kennebec Savings Bank Field in Winslow. Two and a half hours later, the field hockey teams will play at Thomas College in the Class B North championship game.
“It’s going to be interesting,” Kirk said. “Fans can come up here and watch some soccer and then go over to field hockey. It will be a good day.”
Added Winslow coach Steve Bodge: “Winslow is a community where they get out and get involved with athletics. I know we’ll have plenty at our game and I am sure Gardiner will bring some fans. It should be an exciting atmosphere for both sides.”
While the field hockey state championship games are set for Saturday, the soccer playoffs get under way in earnest Tuesday and Wednesday with quarterfinal round games.
The Gardiner girls slipped into the tournament with a 5-6-3 mark, but then ousted MDI 1-0 last Friday.
No. 4 Winslow (10-2-2), meanwhile, is riding a four-game winning streak.
The teams did not meet in the regular season.
“This should be competitive,” Kirk said. “I like their field and they aren’t too far up the road, so this is a good thing. The biggest question is can we be consistent for two games in a row? Time will tell.”
Also in Class B North, No. 3 Waterville (11-1-2) will host No. 6 Presque Isle (9-4-1) on Tuesday.
In girls Class C South action, No. 2 Madison (10-1-3) will host No. 7 Lisbon (9-6-0) on Tuesday while No. 5 Hall-Dale (11-2-1) will visit No. 4 Monmouth (10-2-2) in a battle between Mountain Valley Conference rivals. The Bulldogs won a 3-2 overtime decision over the Mustangs in a regular season game earlier this month.
“I think it’s a pretty even matchup,” Monmouth coach Gary Trafton said. “Both teams are pretty equal in all aspects of the game. I think this will be a pretty equal game. It will come down to who takes advantage of opportunities of what the other team gives you. I don’t see one team being better than the other.”
Added Hall-Dale coach Guy Cousins: “Anytime Hall-Dale and Monmouth play it is a good matchup. There will be a lot of good soccer, a lot of intensity, a lot of attacking. I think it will be as close as any game we’ve played with them. No one will have a problem getting up for this game.”
The Messalonskee and Mt. Blue girls will be in action Tuesday as well. No. 4 Messalonskee (9-4-1) will host No. 5 Mt. Ararat on Tuesday while the ninth-seeded Cougars (8-6-1) visit No. 1 Camden Hills (13-0-1).
No. 2 Rangeley (8-3-0) will host No. 7 Pine Tree Academy (3-8-0) in a Class C South quarterfinal game Tuesday as well. Top-seeded Richmond (13-1-0) earned a bye into the semifinals.
On the boys side, two-time defending Class C state champ Maranacook (14-0-0) will host No. 8 Fryeburg (7-6-2) in a Class B quarterfinal Wednesday at 6 p.m.
In Class B North, No. 10 Erskine (11-4-0) will play at No. 2 Winslow (12-1-1) on Wednesday while No. 5 Waterville (12-2-1) — which edged Hermon 1-0 in a prelim Friday — will play at No 4 Oceanside (10-2-2).
Top-seeded Hall-Dale (12-0-2) will host No. 9 Traip in a Class C South quarterfinal Wednesday at 3 p.m. No. 4 Monmouth (11-3-0) will host No. 5 North Yarmouth Academy in another quarterfinal Wednesday. The Mustangs and Bulldogs would meet in the semifinals Saturday should they both win.
In Class D South, No. 10 Valley (6-8-1) — fresh off its 4-2 prelim victory over No. 7 Vinalhaven — will play at top-seeded Richmond (9-4-0) on Wednesday at 3 p.m. as well.
Bill Stewart — 621-5618
bstewart@centralmaine.com
Twitter: @billstewartMTM
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