Mountain Valley senior Jessica Allen punches in the game-winning goal in overtime.
By Bob McPhee
Staff Writer

RUMFORD – Mountain Valley High School took its time when the Falcons delivered their message Monday afternoon.

For the second-straight game, senior Jessica Allen converted on a centering pass as the Falcons remained unbeaten with a 1-0 field hockey win in overtime against Livermore Falls at sunny Hosmer Field.

Mountain Valley (2-0) played a hard contest and its offensive execution eventually paid off. The Falcons refused to let frustration set in and was rewarded as Allen flicked a high shot in to the goal two minutes and 19 seconds in to the extra session.

The score could have been much higher, but Livermore Falls received a stellar performance from freshman goalie Sam Whiting (11 saves). Both teams were hindered by numerous obstruction infractions.

“I always want the team to show sportsmanship,” Livermore Falls coach Amy Duzba said. “My girls played hard. We had some opportunities, but just could not convert.”

Livermore Falls (0-2) lost their season-opener 3-2 to Lisbon.

Mountain Valley controlled the opening tap in OT and advanced the ball directly into its offensive zone. Nikki Demers dug the ball away from a Andies defender and poked a shot toward the crease. Allen corralled the ball and advanced toward the center of the net. Whiting was squared up, but Allen’s shot sailed over the Andies player and into the netting.

Allen also scored to beat Telstar 1-0 in overtime last Friday.

Mountain Valley coach Melissa Forbes declined to comment after the game.

Mountain Valley also received a strong defensive effort from Mallory Thurston, Jen Kellogg and Erin Stearns. Falcon goalie Kim Clark stepped up to record six saves.

“It’s a frustrating loss,” Duzba said. “We played well against a good team, but came up empty. We had lost in overtime in our first meeting to them last year and then tied them. We also had a goal waved off in the first half today because a (Mountain Valley) player was in the (crease) and I felt the same thing could have been called on their goal.”

Andies center-half back Teryn Flagg was a spark plug and sweeper Jenika Kelly cleared several balls out of the zone. Falcon captain Samm Johnson was equally effective and was denied on several shots.