OAKLAND — Friday’s field hockey game between Lawrence and Messalonskee was a rematch of one of the most surprising ties of the season. Messalonskee wanted to show that result was a fluke, while Lawrence wanted to show that it wasn’t.

On that count, Lawrence won out, as the Bulldogs played right with the Eagles. But Lynnae Luettich scored early in the second half, and Messalonskee earned a 1-0 victory.

“I think it made it much more intense for the girls,” Messalonskee coach Katie Gorham said. “I think their nerves were much higher than they needed to be, maybe. I think they put more stakes on this game, just because of the tie last time, and everybody wanted to prove something here.”

Messalonskee’s defense was much better against Lawrence (7-4-1) than it was the day before in a 10-4 victory over Cony. In fact, the Bulldogs did not have any shots, either on goal or wide of the cage. Part of that was because Lawrence missed some free-hit opportunities and lost possession too many times on hacking calls, but the Eagles defense, led by Katie Bernatchez and Jess Boghosian, also played quite well.

Messalonskee (11-1-1) didn’t get too many shots either (four on the cage and eight overall), but the Eagles had more high-quality scoring chances. Lawrence senior back Miranda Costigan made two defensive saves.

“She held us in the game,” Lawrence coach Lisa Larrabee said. “She controlled the midfield, and she set up our offensive attack. She had two defensive saves, and she created two offensive corners. You can’t ask for more than that from a center back.”

Messalonskee broke through on a scramble with 23:35 left in the game. The ball bounced directly to Luettich, who had a straight-on shot. Lawrence had three players on the goal line, but Luettich’s blast eluded all of them for the game’s only goal.

“Lynnae has been doing absolutely incredible, the second half of the season especially,” Gorham said. “She’s just really seen the field very well. Her speed has quadrupled. She’s a tough force to be reckoned with.”

The Eagles probably wrapped up a top-two seed in Eastern A with the win. Lawrence, meanwhile, might need a win over Cony on Tuesday to hold on to a top-four spot and a home playoff game.

“To tie Messalonskee, and then to lose 1-0 with a second-half goal, it tells my Bulldogs that we’re in it,” Larrabee said.

Matt DiFilippo — 861-9243

mdifilippo@centralmaine.com

 

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