It was a goal that was set more than one year ago after a Western Maine Class C semifinal loss to North Yarmouth Academy knocked the Lisbon High School field hockey team out of the postseason.

It was a bitter pill to swallow, especially considering the then-freshman core of the Greyhounds had experienced few setbacks in their young careers, including going undefeated as eighth-graders under coach Julie Wescott.

Moments after the 2011 season ended for the Greyhounds in that penalty corner loss — Wescott’s high school coaching rookie season — NYA became a rallying cry for Lisbon, with the team focused on getting back to the playoffs.

Lisbon wanted another shot at the Panthers, and the unbeaten Greyhounds got it, picking up a 1-0 victory in the Western C championship game on Oct. 23, the first regional title for the ’Hounds in field hockey.

But, there was still work to be done, another goal for the hungry Greyhounds — the Class C State Championship.

Again, the Greyhounds put it all together, scoring early and taking a 2-1 victory over Winthrop on Saturday at the University of Maine in Orono.

“It was the greatest feeling ever,” said junior captain Olivia Harrington, still walking around on Cloud 9 days after the victory. “We had good teamwork and just loved each other all year. NYA was our motivation. We wanted to win states, and we made it there and won. It really hasn’t sunk in yet. I can always say I was part of the first championship field hockey team at Lisbon, which is cool.”

“My smile is still on my face, especially this being my senior year and this being our goal,” said captain Bailey Madore, who along with classmate Luci Charest are the only Greyhound seniors, giving Lisbon a solid, championship core expecting to return next year. “We played together all summer with this goal in mind, and to be able to reach it is amazing.”

Wescott felt her team responded well to disappointments, including a 3-1 loss to Winthrop in the Mountain Valley Conference championship game.

“We had our ups and downs, but when times got tough we played together as a team,” said Wescott after her squad finished the season with a 17-0-1 record. “When we lost to Winthrop in the MVC game, we came together again, the hunger came back and they gave a real team effort.

“NYA was a good hump, and getting to states was a goal, but it wasn’t just getting there. We wanted to win it and get some revenge on Winthrop. They beat us and tied us, so we figured it was our turn. Plus, we have never done this before, so why not? We treated it like any other game and came through.”

A big start

In the title game, Lisbon’s Arianna Kahler scored just 1:02 after the opening whistle off a penalty corner, and leading Greyhound sniper Hanna Jordan doubled the lead early in the second half.

“I was surprised at our start, knowing how nervous they were in this uncharted territory,” said Wescott. “But, when we score early it takes away the tension, so they became more focused and we never backed down.”

“Losing to Winthrop in the MVC game was a letdown, but it made us so much more hungry, and we wanted to beat them so bad,” said Madore.

Even after Winthrop made it a one-goal game with 5:34 to play to set up a nerve-racking finish, Wescott’s squad never blinked, closing out the game with solid defense.

“I told the girls we held Winthrop scoreless for 55 minutes, and worked hard, and we don’t want to go into overtime,” said the coach “Yes, they scored one, but it wasn’t the end of the game or the end of the world. At that point, these girls didn’t look let down or discouraged.

“But, those five minutes were stressful!”

“I wasn’t nervous when they scored, knowing our defense was on it,” said Harrington.

“Our defense was rock solid,” added Madore, who along with Michaela Bedell, captain Jenn Smith, Mariah Breton, Bailey Cutler, Ali Bubar and goaltender Stevie Charest, did the job, not allowing the Ramblers another sniff at the Greyhound net. “After they scored, I was trying to keep everyone calm and keep our heads. We got right back at it and finished it off.”

As the final seconds ticked away, Lisbon players began embracing each other, with several tears of joy dropping in Orono on Saturday.

“Girls who didn’t show emotion all season were bawling their eyes out, and just to see all the hard work pay off was great,” said Wescott. “They don’t accept losing, but they understand they are not perfect and they are not overconfident.

They work hard and have confidence in their abilities.”

“A couple years ago, we just went out and played field hockey, where now we all have such a passion for it, playing all summer, working hard in the preseason. We wanted it,” said Madore.

As for the future, Wescott stopped short of predicting back-to-back state titles.

“We would love to get back to the state game, but you can’t expect things. You just have to take it game by game like this year,” said Wescott.

“Even next year this will be a solid group,” added Madore. “They will fill my spot, and they are going to states again next year and will win it!”