In an exhilarating encounter between the Cheverus/Windham girls’ hockey team and the Cape Elizabeth/Portland/South Portland/Waynflete Beacons, the reigning state champions encountered a challenging situation after allowing four goals in the first 10 minutes of the game. This marked a significant turn of events for a team that had commenced the season with four consecutive shutouts.
Despite the early setback, Cheverus/Windham demonstrated an impressive resurgence, propelling the game into overtime through a pivotal goal from Brynn McKenney in the waning moments of regular play. The team ultimately secured a remarkable 5-4 victory when junior standout Lucy Johnson scored the winning goal with a mere 19.4 seconds remaining in the additional period.
Reflecting on the intense match, Johnson commented, “It’s undeniably a valuable lesson for us to internalize. We were able to remain focused during the game.”
The Beacons commenced the fixture with an explosive start, netting a goal just 2:15 into the game, and swiftly adding three more goals. This placed the Cheverus/Windham team on the defensive, prompting a timeout from their coach, Scott Rousseau. However, the Stags exhibited resilience and determination as they battled their way back into the game, gradually narrowing the gap and ultimately levelling the score to force overtime.
Both teams had opportunities to secure victory in overtime, but it was the Cheverus/Windham team that ultimately emerged triumphant, with Johnson netting the decisive goal. Assessing the team’s performance, Coach Scott Rousseau expressed his pride, stating, “I am dissatisfied with our performance, but I am exceedingly proud. I am uncertain if many teams could have faced 3-0 and 4-1 (deficits) with sufficient courage and character to persevere throughout the entire game.”
Despite the disheartening loss, Beacons Coach Bob Mills lauded his team’s effort and regarded it as a valuable learning experience. He remarked, “We dominated the first period, they excelled in the second, the third was somewhat of a stalemate, then anything can happen in overtime. They secured the state championship for a reason. They are an outstanding team, but I believe we presented them with a formidable challenge. Now we know we can compete with the best of the best.”
The match served as evidence of the tenacity and prowess of both teams, demonstrating the unpredictable and thrilling nature of hockey. It epitomized grit and determination, underscoring the true essence of sportsmanship.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be trained on the Cheverus/Windham girls’ hockey team to see if they can sustain their winning form and continue to deliver compelling performances on the ice.