RUMFORD – The Mountain Valley field hockey team endured a marathon in the opening round of the Western Class B tournament Saturday at Hosmer Field.

Senior Amanda Gallant scored on the first penalty corner to lift the No. 8 Falcons to a 3-2 victory over No. 9 Fryeburg.

The teams battled through 60 minutes of regulation and two-eight minute overtimes to a 2-2 deadlock. Rules dictate that penalty corners are the deciding factor.

“Neither team had ever played in this type game before,” Mountain Valley coach Melissa Forbes said. “The referees had to keep going over it with (Fryeburg coach) DeDe (Frost) and I.”

Mountain Valley set up for its penalty corner and advanced the ball toward the goal. Kristen Chenard slid a pass over to Gallant, who was directly in front of the cage. Gallant flicked the ball past the right shoulder of Raider goalie Kendyl Sullivan.

The Raiders (5-9-1) still had a chance to tie and extend play, but Chenard intercepted a pass and drilled the ball beyond the 25-yard line.

Mountain Valley (5-8-2) advances to play No.1 York (14-0).

“A key for us happened in the overtime,” Forbes said. “I moved Amanda up on the front line to generate more offense. Plus, we rotated girls in and out in order to keep fresh legs on the field.”

Each team played with six field player and a goalie. Fryeburg ruled the first OT, but Lynn Cherry was stoned by Falcons goalie Kim Clark (nine saves).

Mountain Valley had shots in the second OT, but Lauren LePage, Stephaine Beadle and Katie Doucette couldn’t finish.

The game started as a potential shootout as LePage bounced a shot off defender Elsie Russell for the first goal. Sara Martin assisted on the play early in the game. Fryeburg tied it up three minutes later on a Heidi Richards goal.

Fryeburg took a 2-1 lead on Richards goal, but Gallant tied the score with 10:08 left in regulation.

The Falcons received a strong effort by Breanna Broomhall in the midfield and also by Emily Child.

“This is a big win,” Forbes said. “Especially for a morale boost.”