By Bob McPhee,Staff Writer

PORTLAND – This time, the Telstar field hockey team was unable to muster any late heroics.

Hilary Haney one-timed a blast into the cage with 50 seconds left in overtime as Central won the Class C state championship with a 2-1 triumph over Telstar at Fitzpatrick Stadium Saturday afternoon..

The Red Devils’ Rachel Trafton had forced the extra session by scoring off a penalty corner with 2 seconds left in regulation.

On both goals, Rebel goalie Stephanie Tripp was unable to react in time for the rapid shots

Telstar (16-2) saw its 15-unbeaten streak snapped, and was also denied in its quest to repeat.

The Rebels had won the 2004 state championship with a 6-0 shutout against Stearns.

“You’ve got to score to win,” Telstar coach Gail Wight said. “In overtime, I told the girls we couldn’t afford to hit the ball long and run after it. We needed more control.”

The overtime had opened up some space because teams only have six players and a goalie each. The Devils utilized their quickness.

On the winning play, Maddie Dunakin dug the ball out of the left corner and passed to Haney, who was left unmarked at the top of the circle.

“The ball came right to me,” Haney said. “I was surprised that I was open. This means a lot to our school because two years ago, we had reached the Eastern Maine finals, but didn’t get to the state game.”

Rebel fullback Jullian Kimball and halfbacks Liz Rosenberg, Kelsey Dole and Lauren Conroy had been successful at helping to clear the zone during a scoreless first half.

On the opposite end, the Central defense, led by sweeper Chantel Randall, was equally effective.

“I don’t think we stopped the ball as well as we did last year,” Rosenberg said. “But, you have to give Central credit because they played hard.”

Telstar had opened the scoring on a Danna Wilson goal with 6:23 left. Wilson had redirected a Rosenberg shot past Devil goalie Kara Voisine (five saves).

Telstar had cleared shots away three times in the waning minutes, but the Devils were relentless.

A penalty corner was called with two seconds left and a second PC was whistled because the ball popped up off a Rebel stick, setting up Trafton’s tying goal.