Our Communities. Our Teams. Our Future.
We’re proud to make high school sports coverage free for everyone—because these moments matter. At Maine State Credit Union, we’re here for the people and places that make Maine strong. Let’s Go! Learn more at mainestatecu.org. 

View 9 photos

HAMPDEN — Jan Holmes-Jackson didn’t think the Belfast field hockey team played its finest game against Nokomis during the regular season.

There wasn’t much the Belfast coach could complain Thursday about after a 2-0 win over Nokomis in the Class B North final at Hampden Academy.

“When they make their minds up, they’re a wrecking crew,” Holmes-Jackson said.

Belfast (17-0) has won 31 straight games and will try to defend its state title Saturday at Lewiston High against B South champion Freeport. It will be Belfast’s 16th appearance in the Class B championship game, but the first time the Lions have reached two in a row since 2011-12.

“Being undefeated, I think, was nothing that any of us expected in the beginning of the season,” senior forward Sophia Larrabee said. “So to be undefeated feels pretty good, and just has made us work even harder.”

The third-seeded Warriors, who had won eight straight before the regional final, end their season at 14-3. Their last loss was Sept. 29, when Belfast stormed back from a two-goal halftime deficit and won, 3-2.

“We just wanted it more this game,” Belfast senior forward Payten Wadsworth said. “We knew that we had to get stuff done early and quick, and that’s just what we did.”

The Lions, led by 12 seniors playing in their fourth-straight regional final, used their speed and defensive pressure to create chances. With 52 seconds left in the opening quarter, Larrabee struck first, tipping in a pass from freshman Kamynn Wadsworth in front of Nokomis senior keeper Haylee Romasco (eight saves).

“That’s something that I do all the time, so it felt pretty good to just do it again,” Larrabee said.

Nokomis tried to slow the game down and maintain possession in the second quarter, but long balls on the turf often got away from the Warriors’ front line, and two yellow cards on freshman Maeve Rush, a KVAC first-team all-conference selection, slowed the offense’s push.

With 4:57 left in the third quarter, Wadsworth doubled the Lions’ lead after rebounding a teammate’s shot and pulling her own shot to the right. It’s a move the senior forward said her coach is always telling her to use more often.

Nikki Shorey stopped five shots for the Lions, earning her 11th shutout of the season and the 41st of her four-year career. Three of her saves came in the fourth quarter.

“She always just wants to work harder and just have another shutout,” Larrabee said of Shorey. “She’s always supporting us, even from the back, so we really appreciate what she does for us.”

Neither team was able to convert on a penalty corner, as Nokomis attempted five and Belfast tried 11. The Lions were awarded a 12th chance as time expired, but there was no reason to go through with it.

Four underclassmen were in the starting lineup for Nokomis, which was seeking its first regional title since 2013.

“Having our young kids play on this stage was really exciting,” Nokomis coach Shaunessy Saucier said. “Even our seniors were nervous today. I was nervous today. So I’m really proud of how we played and how we fought back, especially in the fourth quarter. … Future is bright at Nokomis.”