YARMOUTH — North Yarmouth Academy’s late surge produced the chances it was looking for all game but never the goal.
Foxcroft Academy goalkeeper Brianna Skolfield and her defense held up in the final two minutes to preserve the Ponies’ 1-0 Class C state championship at Yarmouth High.
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Skolfield stopped shots by Marina Poole and Kayla Rose off penalty corners – the first being a diving deflection as Poole stared down a large opening.
After time expired, NYA (14-3-1) earned two extra penalty corner chances. A Rose shot deflected off Foxcroft defender Amber Anderson on the first try, then Foxcroft was able to clear the ball out of the circle to secure the win.
“Don’t ever give up on us,” NYA Coach Tracy Quimby said. “I still want to to see that last one again just to see it. Close. If it hits a player and she’s the last one between the shot and the goal, it should have been a (penalty) stroke.
“It would have been interesting to have a stroke.”
Observing Rose’s shot live it was unclear if the ball hit Anderson or her stick, and also if she was behind or in front of Skolfield.
“They’re a tough team. (NYA) fought to the end,” Foxcroft Coach Stephanie Smith said.
For Foxcroft, it was the finish of a 17-0-1 season that saw the Ponies allow only one goal.
Skolfield’s stop on Poole and a charging, sliding save on Olivia Madore’s breakaway in the first half were her highlight efforts in her 17th shutout.
The Ponies controlled play for most of the first 15 minutes and got their payoff when sophomore Madison Fadley scored with 16:07 left in the half.
Fadley had started the penalty corner play with a clean insertion pass, giving Julia Annis time to let go a shot that banged off the chest of NYA goalie Elizabeth Coughlin. Fadley waited for the ball to come back to the turf before pushing it past Coughlin.
Steve Craig can be reached at 791-6413 or at:
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