By Bob McPhee,Staff Writer

TURNER – The Leavitt field hockey team celebrated Senior Day with a strong defensive performance.

Junior Lauren Doiron one timed a crossing pass in the second half and goalie Jessica Vickerson came up big to preserve a 1-0 win against previously unbeaten Waterville in KVAC action on Saturday.

Time had expired on the clock, but Waterville was allowed by rule to complete a penalty corner. The Purple Panthers sent the ball in, but Hornet defensive back Caroline Bochtler rushed out to disrupt the play and Katelyn Beeckel hit the ball out of the circle.

Leavitt (9-1) earned some valuable Heal Points and remain in contention for a home playoff game.

“This was a big game, and we were pumped up,” Doiron said. “During warm-ups, we stayed quiet and really focused on the game.”

The winning payoff began when Beeckel shot the ball inside and it went directly to Lyndsey Gilbert. Doiron was set up on the left post, and Gilbert slid the ball over with 19:30 remaining in the game.

“I’m pleased for the team,” Beeckel said. “The play happened so fast that I didn’t have time to think. I was there and Lyndsey passed it over.”

The Hornets maintained the pressure following the score and had quality shots by Jessica Paldino and wing Tiffany Poland. Waterville goalie Emily Sawyer made seven saves.

Waterville (7-1-1) came alive in the final 10 minutes and fired six shots at Vickerson. The senior stepped forward and kicked balls away. Hornets goalie Kristin Schrepper, who shared duties with Vickerson, made two saves in the first 40 minutes.

“We knew that we need to be careful,” Leavitt coach Wanda Ward-MacLean said. “We tried getting the ball outside and exploit our speed, because they were clogging up the middle.”

Leavitt led 11 to eight in shots and both teams had five corners. Each team had goals waved off in the first half because no player touched the ball inside the circle.

“I thought we executed well today,” Waterville coach Amie Dubois said. “Especially on our corners because we’ve had trouble getting shots off. We didn’t make any big adjustments during the game”