SKOWHEGAN — The Messalonskee and Skowhegan field hockey teams put on another high-caliber performance Tuesday as they met for a second time this season.

When these rivals get together, the outcome usually comes down to a key play or two, and on this day those belonged to Skowhegan. The Indians scored off a pair of penalty corners during a 1:10 span late in the second half to post a 3-1 victory.

The Indians improved to 12-1 and grabbed the top spot in the Class A North standings, avenging an overtime loss to the Eagles earlier this season. Messalonskee dropped to 11-2.

Skowhegan got a first-half goal from Julia Steeves and second-half scores from Alexis Michonski and Bhreagh Kennedy. Haley Lowell scored for the Eagles midway through the second half to tie the game at 1.

“It’s always a good game,” said Skowhegan sweeper Haley Carter, who assisted on both second-half goals.

Carter was part of a stout Indians defense that also included Alexis Vashon and Elizabeth York, along with goalie Leah Savage, who made nine saves. Carter had five defensive saves of her own to bring her school record career total to 64.

“Carter’s amazing,” Savage said.

Four players on the field Tuesday have already committed to playing for Division I colleges — Lowell and Autumn Littlefield for the Eagles, and Carter and Maliea Kelso for the Indians — leading to a fast-paced aggressive game. The Eagles held a statistical edge with 13 penalty corners to six for Skowhegan and also held a 13-11 edge in shots on goal.

“It’s tough,” Messalonskee coach Katie McLaughlin said. “We were down on the offensive 25 for a solid 10 minutes so it’s really tough to have that happen afterward.”

Lowell tied the game following a penalty corner put in play by Kaitlyn Smith. She dribbled past a defender and blasted a hard left-to-right shot to the back of the cage. At that point the momentum shifted to the Eagles. As she did at the end of the first half, Savage kept it close with a couple of nice saves.

“We prepare for these a lot in practice,” said Savage, who seldom sees this many shots in a game. “Coach (Paula) Doughty is always on me about staying focused in games. I just always remember it doesn’t take much to break through so I have to stay ready.”

The Indians made the most of their corners. Carter initiated both plays.

“I just need my hips set and I just need to shoot,” said Carter, who launched a hard shot from the right side to the far post. Michonski, a sophomore, was stationed perfectly to tip the shot into the goal. A minute later, Carter took another hard shot that Julie Vigue (eight saves) kicked away before Kennedy converted the rebound.

“Basically it’s the type of mental game that both of our teams play very well,” Skowhegan coach Doughty said. “It’s who can take advantage of this mistake or that mistake. They’re a terrific team.”

Game notes: Skowhegan will play in the Kennebec Valley Athletic conference title game Thursday night at 6:30 at Thomas College against the Class B North leader. Messalonskee will play the Class B runner-up at 5 … Carter verbally committed to play for Div. I Hofstra University this week. “I wanted to be in New York,” said Carter, who plans to study finance and perhaps attend law school. … With just under five minutes left to play, Smith took a shot to the face on a free hit and was on the ground for several minutes. “Fortunately the ball hit her in the goggles,” said McLaughlin, who added Smith was being checked for concussion symptoms.

Related Stories