PORTLAND — Producing a win 11 years in the making required overcoming a dose of adversity for the first time this season.
Biddeford’s field hockey team, the Class A South preseason favorite, won its first three outings by a composite 21-1 margin, but Wednesday evening at Fitzpatrick Stadium, the Tigers got pushed for 60 minutes by their longtime nemesis, the Cheverus Stags.
Biddeford even trailed, 1-0, at halftime, but the Tigers roared back in the second half behind senior captain Paige Laverriere, who set up the tying goal, then scored the go-ahead tally.
Senior goalie Taylor Wildes, who hadn’t been tested often so far this season, had to come up huge late and made a pair of clutch saves to preserve the lead and Biddeford held on to prevail, 2-1.
The Tigers improved to 4-0 on the young season and for the first time since Sept. 10, 2007, found a way to vanquish the Stags (1-2).
“We were getting very flustered, but we had to keep our heads and stay positive,” said Laverriere. “We’ve focused on that this year and we did it in the second half.”
Biddeford came out on fire and raced up and down the Fitzpatrick Stadium turf, but despite some golden chances in the first half, couldn’t solve Cheverus’ defense and the Stags’ junior goalie Hannah Woodford, who denied great looks from Abby Allen, Laverriere and Hailey Allen.
Cheverus, conversely, had one great chance in the first half, and capitalized on it to grab the lead.
With just under seven minutes remaining before halftime, Sophia Pompeo weaved through the Tigers’ defense and passed to her sister, Lucia Pompeo, who fired a promising shot that Wildes saved.
The rebound came back to Lucia Pompeo, however, and she lifted a high shot into the goal for a 1-0 lead.
Despite enjoying a 5-2 edge in shots on goal and a 5-1 advantage in penalty corners in the first half, Biddeford was behind for the first time all season.
“We were playing well, so I told the girls to keep doing the little things and be persistent and eventually, the goals will come,” said Tigers coach Caitlin Albert.
The tying goal came with 26:22 remaining in regulation after Laverriere made a long run up the right side, then crossed the ball to Brooklyn Ortiz, who beat Woodford to make it 1-1.
“I was looking and I saw a pink stick and I knew it was Brooklyn and she finished,” Laverriere said. “That definitely boosted us up.”
After Wildes denied both Lucia Pompeo and Sophia Pompeo to keep the game tied, Goff nearly put the Tigers on top, but Woodford made a tremendous lunging save.
Woodford couldn’t deny the next Biddeford chance, however, as with 12:40 to go, after intercepting a clearing pass, Laverriere dribbled in, then launched a backhanded blast that found the mark for a 2-1 lead.
“I intercepted the ball, carried it up and shot it,” Laverierre said. “I thought someone would tip it, but no one was there and it went in. I was like, ‘Whoo-hoo.’”
“Paige is a phenomenal player,” Albert said. “She’s a two-time all-state player. She’s our spark. We need her to step up in big situations and she comes through.”
With just over a minute to go, the Stags nearly pulled even and forced overtime, but off a penalty corner, Wildes dove to rob Sophia Pompeo, then kicked away Lucia Pompeo’s rebound and the Tigers were able to celebrate their 2-1 victory.
“We got pushed and I’m pleased with how we answered,” Albert said. “It was nerve-wracking. It’s hard to have three dominant games, then be tested the whole time.”
“I feel like we’re handling the pressure well. We try to take it game-by-game and know every team will want to beat us. We try not to focus on other teams, but on ourselves and getting better every game.”
Biddeford finished with a 12-5 edge in shots and took nine penalty corners to three for Cheverus. Woodford stopped 10 shots for the Stags. Wildes made four key saves for the Tigers.
Biddeford is back in action Thursday at home against Kennebunk. Saturday, the Tigers figure to be tested again at Massabesic.
“Expectations are heavy on our shoulders, but I think we’re living up to it so far,” said Laverriere. “I think we have what it takes. We’re hungry.”