Winthrop hasn’t played for a field hockey state championship since winning back-to-back state titles in 1988 and 1989. The most dangerous thing about the Ramblers might be that they have a group of fans who see no reason they can’t win it all again today.
“They have a super-supportive group of parents, and we have great support from the student body,” Sharon Coulton said. “The kids are really feeling that, that they’re not just playing for themselves, they’re playing for a lot of other people too — not a pressure feeling, but they’re buoyed by that. They’re being carried along by that.”
Winthrop, the Eastern C champion, will face Western C champion North Yarmouth Academy in the Class C state final at 1 p.m., today. It’s the first of three games today at Yarmouth High School. Belfast plays York for the Class B title at 3 p.m., followed by Skowhegan and Marshwood for the Class A title at 5.
Winthrop will need a big group of fans, because it’s a pretty short distance from NYA to Yarmouth High School.
“We don’t have to take a bus,” NYA coach Tracy Quimby joked. “As long as we don’t get lost on the walk, we’ll be all set.”
The Ramblers (13-2-2), befitting their name, do have to take a bus, but Coulton isn’t concerned about that. After all, Winthrop took a long bus ride to Hampden before knocking off Dexter, 1-0, in the Eastern C final.
“The bus ride didn’t seem to be a problem (Tuesday),” Coulton said. “Once we get to the field, it becomes about the game.”
The Panthers (13-4-0) have their strength up the middle of the field, with center forward Katie Millett, center midfielder Bailey Clock, center back Katie Cawley and goalie Elizabeth Coughlin. Jen Brown, the left midfielder, is also a standout.
Cawley and forward Carly Lappas will move around the field, depending on what Quimby thinks will work best against the opponent. When NYA defeated Sacopee Valley, 2-1, in the Western C final, Cawley started the game as a forward and moved to the backfield in the first half.
“I think we’re a strong defensive team, whose offense, depending on how the other team is, can be really strong,” Quimby said.
Incidentally, both NYA goals in the win over Sacopee were scored by sophomore Kayla Rose — the team’s manager last season.
Winthrop has been playing superb defense, and has shutouts in its last two games. In 13 of their 17 games, the Ramblers have shut out their opponents or allowed one goal. The leaders of that defense are backs Nikki Burgess and Paige Wood — Winthrop’s only two seniors — and goalie Alyssa Arsenault.
Center midfielder Shauna Carlson is a threat all over the field, and the offense is led by Lauren Kaiser and Rachel Ingram. Winthrop had only one penalty corner and four shots on goal against Dexter, and it’s tempting fate to try to get by with that few scoring chances two games in a row.
“Offense — that’s going to be our focus: What are some things that we can tweak that will give us more scoring opportunities than we had (Tuesday)?” Coulton said.
But even without a lot of scoring chances, Winthrop is playing undeniably well, and they’re fulfilling the goal of every team to be peaking in the playoffs.
“This was the time to be improving,” Coulton said. “We’ve played well all season, but with this kind of focus and intensity, it’s increasing.”
Matt DiFilippo — 861-9243
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