10/01/2008
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Staff photo by Thomas Michael Corcoran
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Staff photo by Thomas Michael Corcoranfrom the Kennebec Journal
QUESTIONS REMAIN
No complaints from those who switched to Somerset County center
Vote on 1 may hurt some in election
Steeple at center of debate in Whitefield
VETERANS REQUIRE ASSISTANCE: Homelessness takes center stage
J.P. DEVINE: Overcome sadness with hope
BASKETBALL: NBA Hall of Famer Barry doles out advice at Thomas College
HIGH SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY: Maranacook sophomore Mace dominates Class B field
All of today's:
News | Sports
from the Kennebec Journal
from the Morning Sentinel
A year later, families await answers on fatalities
Owner of topless coffee shop on the comeback trail
Officials report cheaper, better service after switch
Two people in critical condition
Young Marines stick to program
Issue of homeless veterans at center stage
GIRLS SOCCER STATE CHAMPIONSHIP: Winslow falls to York in Class B
Bard hits her marathon stride
All of today's:
News | Sports
from the Morning Sentinel
The result left people wondering whether Messalonskee is for real. The Eagles, who won eight games last season, improved to 8-0-0 with a 3-2 victory against Gardiner, which suffered its first loss of the season.
If the end result was a mild surprise, the manner in which Messalonskee pulled it off was a stunner. The Eagles led 2-0 at halftime, made it 3-0 early in the second half and held Gardiner (8-1-0) scoreless until the final five minutes.
"We played pretty good hockey for about six or seven minutes," Gardiner coach Moe McNally said. "But that's not to take away from Messalonskee. They outplayed us the whole first half. I just don't think we brought our 'A' game today, and when you don't bring your 'A' game against a team that's in the 'A' caliber, this is what you get."
Gardiner busted out with two penalty corners in the first two minutes, but Messalonskee's defense and goalie Mickee McCafferty turned the Tigers away. The Eagles went up 1-0 just 7 minutes, 1 second into the game when Bri Warren sent home a rebound.
"I think psychologically, to play a game like this against them and get that early lead was huge for our kids to say, 'Hey, we can play with them,' " Messalonskee first-year coach Brenda Beckwith said.
Gardiner had spurts where it had opportunities, but Messalonskee scored next when Katie Bernatchez tapped in a goal with 6:49 left in the half. Miranda Tinsman made it 3-0 just 2:09 into the second half when she took the initial pass on a penalty corner, got herself free and drilled in a shot.
The Tigers played as though they were in shock until about midway through the second half, when they began attacking Messalonskee's defense. With the score still 3-0, Beckwith called timeout with 11:05 remaining and lit into her players for playing back on their heels.
The message was clear: Don't be satisfied with just having a lead. "We play to win," Tinsman said. "We don't play not to lose."
Gardiner earned seven penalty corners during the final six minutes and finally got on the scoreboard when Hailey Chadbourne launched a grass-hugging rocket with 4:17 to go. Lauren Gorham made it 3-2 with 1:30 left when she sent in a high shot off Chadbourne's feed.
The Tigers got one more penalty corner in the game's final minute, but Messalonskee's Hannah Thornberg made a nice play by charging at Gorham to block her shot.
"We've been talking all week about who we've played and where we are," McNally said, "and until you meet teams like this, you don't know exactly where you stand. We'll meet these guys again, maybe, and we'll certainly give them a better game."
Matt DiFilippo -- 861-9243
mdifilippo@centralmaine.com
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