SCARBOROUGH – Maybe it was tougher than anticipated, but Scarborough High’s top-ranked field hockey team turned back an upset bid Wednesday by eighth-seeded Massabesic to advance to the Western Class A semifinals.

The Red Storm got goals from three players to beat the Mustangs, 3-1.

Scarborough (14-1) beat Massabesic 9-1 in the regular season.

But this time the Mustangs corralled Scarborough’s playmaker, Kristen Felt, surrounding her every time she touched the ball.

That slowed the Red Storm down, but they had enough defensive talent.

“We knew that they were going to come out and play their hardest,” said Red Storm Coach Kerry Mariello.

“And I was glad that Massabesic gave us as great of a game as they did. And they ended their season strong. Good for them.”

Mariello wasn’t surprised that the Mustangs (9-7) focused on Felt.

“As time goes on teams start to figure us out a bit, at least some of our strengths,” she said. “It’s up to the others to compensate.”

Grace Whelan got the only goal of the first half for Scarborough.

Karli-An Gilbert carried up the left side and ripped off a low hard shot. It was blocked, the ball going to Whelan in the middle of the circle.

She shot through the crowd for a 1-0 lead just 7:23 into the game.

It stayed that way, mainly because Massabesic goaltender Courtney Picone made two point-blank stops on Whelan, then also kicked out a hard shot by Stephanie Felt off a corner play.

The Red Storm struck quickly in the second half. Gilbert put in a rebound of a shot by Stephanie Felt that hit the left post. Gilbert’s shot from the lower left actually went in off Picone’s pads.

“When I’m in the game, sometimes I don’t even think,” said Gilbert.

“I just hit it. I had no idea it was even going toward the goal. It went in.”

Well, it’s not that easy.

“I think sometimes it’s all about being in the right position,” said Gilbert.

“We know where we’re supposed to be.”

That made it 2-0, but Massabesic came back with a goal less than three minutes later, Logan Provencher knocking in a rebound.

Stephanie Felt later scored off a penalty corner, taking a pass from Kelsey Howard and knocking in a hard drive from the top of the circle.

“We kept our cool,” said Stephanie Felt. “We went with what we’ve been working on in practice all year.”

And while the Mustangs, with five freshmen and three sophomores, ended with a loss, they also proved something to themselves.

“I’m proud of them,” said Coach Michelle Martin. “Nine-one last time. Three-one this time.

“They came in and wanted to make a statement that they played better hockey than 9-1. And I think they proved it.”

Staff Writer Mike Lowe can be contacted at 791-6422 or at: mlowe@pressherald.com