The Mascenic field hockey team cashed in on their corners Friday afternoon, shutting out visiting Conant in the NHIAA Division III quarterfinals to earn another crack at No. 1 undefeated Gilford in Tuesday night’s semifinal.
“I think that was the best game we’ve played all season,” Mascenic senior co-captain Leah St. John said after the 3-0 Viking victory. “We played so cohesively as a whole team, and that was really awesome for all of us.”
St. John scored twice in the game after senior co-captain Lexis Vautour’s opening strike; both scored off Mascenic corners assisted by Lorelei Shippee.
“[Shippee’s] hits have been so consistent, especially today and in practice,” St. John said. “So for her to be able to hit that cross ball where we need it and Lex and I to get touches on that is really, really special for our team.”
Conant had plenty of chances, especially in the first half, but Viking keeper Emma Cargill was unbeatable that day, diving, sliding and rolling her way to a shutout win.
“We just could not find the back of the net,” said Conant head coach Jackie Brown. “Couldn’t finish. But they played hard. It’s always a big rivalry between us, and it was a good game. It’s always sad when it ends, but my girls had a great season, so there’s always next year. I’ve got nine seniors next year, so I expect to be strong.”
Conant (10-5) will retain nearly their entire starting lineup next season, including junior co-captains Graecen Kirby and Maddie Bergeron, graduating only senior forward Rylee Herr.
“We’re gonna miss her,” Brown said. “She’s quick, especially in front of the net. She works at a hundred percent the entire time she’s out on the field, so she’s a good role model in that way.”
Fourth-seeded Mascenic (12-3) will have a second shot at No. 1 Gilford (15-0) Tuesday night in the semifinals at Exeter’s Bill Ball Stadium after the Eagles dispatched No. 9 Mascoma Valley 5-1 on Friday. The Vikings lost 2-0 at Gilford on Oct. 12; Mascenic head coach Selena Shaw said she respects the stellar season the Eagles are having while liking her team’s chances in the semis.
“Gilford’s been killing it all year,” Shaw said. “They still have an undefeated season…so it’s going be a tough matchup. But I do feel very confident that we will be ready for them…Historically this season, we see a team once and we kind of sit back and see what they’re going bring to the table. Then when we see them the second time, we really prepare well for them.”
Mascenic’s last appearance in a state championship game was in 2001, the second of the Vikings’ back-to-back title wins and third straight trip to the finals.