FAIRFIELD — The Lawrence field hockey team is so young that it sometimes has seven freshmen on the field. You’d expect such a team to be trying to catch some breaks for a playoff spot, not sitting third in the Eastern A Heal points.
But that’s where Lawrence is, with an 8-2-1 record. Outside of Skowhegan and Messalonskee, everyone else in the league is trying to rebuild as well, and the Bulldogs made another strong showing Tuesday afternoon with a 1-0 victory over Brewer.
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“We have 12 freshmen playing,” said freshman Dominique Lewis, who scored the game-winner in the second half and then played in the junior varsity game. “We, right from the beginning, became a really close team.”
When the teams played two weeks ago in Brewer, Lawrence had chances but couldn’t finish them, so the game ended in a 0-0 tie. It looked like a replay Tuesday, as Lawrence had 10 shots and the Witches had five in a scoreless first half. The teams combined for 11 penalty corners in the half, but had no shots on any of them.
Brewer goalie Lindsay Nutter, who finished with 12 saves, was the main reason Lawrence could not score early. Lawrence goalie Emily Tozier, a freshman, played aggressively and had four saves.
Defense was a concern for Lawrence coach Lisa Larrabee. Starting back Nia King, another freshman, is out with a torn meniscus, and Lawrence planned to use senior Erin Larrabee in her spot. It was a good plan, but Larrabee (the player) missed Tuesday’s game because of a college trip, forcing Larrabee (the coach) to adjust again.
Still, the Bulldogs were generally effective on defense, and played the best defense of all by generally keeping the ball in the offensive half of the field. The result was Lawrence’s ninth shutout of the season in 11 games.
“I think my team was a little nervous with the new defense,” Coach Larrabee said. “Sasha Letourneau and Abby King’s experience, strength, and endurance kept us in the game.”
Lawrence dominated the second half, outshooting Brewer, 9-0. Just 4 minutes, 24 seconds into the half, the Bulldogs scored when Bethany Rioux centered the ball from the right side, and Lewis sent it home.
The Bulldogs had other chances, and many of them were created by the hustle of forward Makayla Conley. Julia Lawrence had one deflection go off the left post with about four minutes left. Brewer called timeout to get something going with 1:36 left, but couldn’t get past midfield after that.
Matt DiFilippo — 861-9243
mdifilippo@centralmaine.com
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