BIDDEFORD — The Biddeford High field hockey team dominated the action at Waterhouse Field on Thursday evening, but the scoreboard would flash zeros for the first 55 minutes of the contest.
Kennebunk goalie Haley Moody made save after save as she helped keep the Rams in the contest, but eventually the pressure from the Biddeford offense would pay off for the Tigers.
Biddeford sophomore Abby Allen fired a rocket from the side of the goal into the cage with just over four minutes left in regulation — and that would be the only goal the Tigers needed as they picked up the 1-0 win.
“It’s good to get tested,” said Biddeford coach Caitlin Albert. “It’s good to feel that pressure and see what we need to do and then respond to that because if we can’t respond to that then they’re going to get stuck in one of these situations down the road. We will use it as a learning tool.”
Allen, who had fired five previous shots at Moody on Thursday, was happy to finally light up the scoreboard.
“It was just really a big relief,” said Allen.
Kennebunk coach Kayla Billings was extremely proud of Moody, who finished the game with 23 saves.
“Our goalie, Haley Moody, is just phenomenal. Talk about having a shining star moment for sure,” said Billings. “Haley has been on this game all week … getting ready for big shots and big saves, so she came up big for us.”
Albert echoed that sentiment.
“She played amazing. We had the same problem last year … it felt like deja vu,” Albert said of Moody. “She’s fierce and her defense responds well to her. It’s hard getting past a goalie that’s going to come out of the circle. She’s a phenomenal goalie.”
The Tigers would lead 24-3 in shots on goal and held an 11-2 advantage in penalty corners on Thursday evening.
Billings praised her entire team for their work keeping the Tigers off the scoreboard.
“I’m incredibly proud of our girls defensively. I think this is the game where we really shined when it came to marking and being able to pressure the ball in our defensive end,” Billings said.
It was the second straight big win for the Tigers, who earned their first win over Cheverus in 11 years on Wednesday night.
“The girls are tired. It hadn’t even been a full 24 hours of recovery and a lot of them played the whole game and gave 100 percent,” said Albert. “To ask them to give 100 percent again, obviously we have to and I think they tried their best, but they were obviously winded.”
With a 5-0 record and the title of Class A South favorite next to their name, the Tigers are in a very different situation than in years past.
“It’s exciting and I’m excited for the girls, but at the same time it’s a lot of pressure,” said Albert of being looked at as a state title contender. “I think they can deal with it, but they’re high schoolers. Every team that we’ve played has stepped up and has challenged us. I think it’s just putting that target on our back.”
Allen believes the Tigers can live up to the hype.
“It’s a lot of pressure, but as long as we stay together as a team we should be good,” Allen said.
NOTES: Both teams had goals called back in the game. Biddeford scored in the first half, but it was shot from outside the circle. Kennebunk’s best scoring chance was waved off due to a dangerous hit call … Biddeford will visit Massabesic on Saturday … Kennebunk (2-2) will host South Portland on Saturday.

— Sports Editor Pat McDonald can be reached at pmcdonald@journaltribune.com or at 282-1535 ext. 322. Follow the Journal Tribune Sports Department on Twitter @JournalTsports.