FREEPORT

Marcia Wood had dreams of how her team’s season-opening high school field hockey contest was going to go, easing into things and maybe coming out on top.

The Western Maine Conference schedulers didn’t do the Falcons and Wood any favors, with Freeport hosting York, a squad that has represented Western Maine Class B in seven of the past eight state Class B title games, in its opener on Thursday.

The Wildcats showed their skill, rolling to a 6-0 victory behind three goals each from Taylor Simpson and Alie Jones. Still, Wood was pleased with her team’s complete effort, a fact that gives her hope when her Falcons (0-1) entertain Kennebunk on Saturday at 12:30 p.m.

“I think we did a great job, especially in the second half in holding our own,” said Wood. “Our struggle this preseason has been getting shots on goal, and today we did manage to get a few (five).”

Down 1-0 after Simpson finally bested Freeport starting goaltender Morgan Karnes (nine saves on 12 shots in the first half) on her third try from in close, the Falcons put on their most sustained pressure of the opening frame. The hard work led to four penalty corners and two nice chances from forward Hannah Williams, who was denied by Wildcats netminder Livy Golini (five saves).

“Their back had a defensive save that took away one, and there was a corner that was inches away from going in, and that is what you want to do against big teams like that, try to score and get some momentum,” said Wood.

Back-breaker

Still trailing by just one goal with under 10 minutes remaining until halftime, the Wildcats gained some breathing room as Simpson sent a backhanded shot high into the cage for a 2-0 lead, and she finished off her first-half hat trick with 2:10 left in the frame for a 3-0 York lead at the break.

“I know that when I was at Deering and Scarborough that they made it to states, and they are just strong and very well-coached,” said Wood of York (1-0). “Their stick skills are amazing, they clearly play year-round and just know what they’re doing.”

York put the game out of reach in the first six minutes of the second half. Jones found room in the Freeport zone and buried three quick ones past Falcons goaltender Megan Seymour, who had eight second-half saves. Picking up assists for York were Simpson, Kayla Kelly and Lily Postarnak. The Wildcats finished with a 23-5 shots advantage and a 15-6 edge in penalty corners.

Wood feels that her team is on the right path for improvement, with several goals set as the season unfolds.

“We need to get our attackers going to the ball and not being afraid to hit it,” said Wood. “Defensively, it is about marking up and staying with your girl. York was able to get the kind of shot they wanted. We want them to take an offfoot shot. We have some brand new players, new to the sport this year. They all did a great job!”

Defensively, Freeport was led by Lee Brown, Chloe Whittaker, Lexi Peacock and Kristi St. Pierre, with solid efforts coming from forwards Williams, Abby Smith and Olivia Bubar.