JAY – Senior Whitney Mills is a sniper who knows exactly what to do when the ball rolls her way.

She took this opportunity to send the ball high into the cage with less than one minute left in the second overtime as the Telstar field hockey team came alive in a regular-season ending Mountain Valley Conference game.

The Rebels were pushed to the brink, but refused to buckle, and Mills’ winning goal received an assist by Felicia Dumont in a 3-2 triumph against Jay Tuesday afternoon.

The game was important for both teams because of postseason implications. Telstar (13-1), No.1 in Western Class C, will play Mountain Valley in the MVC championship game (Saturday at Mt. Blue), and has secured home field through out the upcoming regional playoffs. Jay (10-4) was fifth, but had hoped to improve its Heal Point ranking. The teams are no strangers; Telstar beat Jay 3-0 last week in Bethel.

Telstar had completely dominated the second extra-session and simply refused dial down its momentum. A long hit was awarded and Amanda Wiley hit the ball toward the circle. Dumont controlled the ball and flicked a pass to Mills just left on top of the circle. Mills (33 goals) stopped the ball and one-timed a blast past Tiger goalie Sierra Loon (15 saves) that sailed in to the right corner of the cage.

“It was all adrenaline at that point. I knew to keep my stick down like its taught. Felicia tapped out a perfect pass and this field is so fast and smooth,” Mills said.

The Rebels had taken advantage of the OT format – seven on seven – which opened-up their style of play. T.J. Cowin had an opportunity, but her drive hit the post. A second shot by Jamie Steven hit the side of the cage.

“Jay out ran us and moved to the ball,” Telstar coach Gail Wight said. “We had missed a lot of connections through out the game. But, in the second OT, I think the girls settled down and started to position themselves in better spots.”

Jay had forced the extra session by applying a massive push to tie the game with 58 seconds left in regulation. Katie Hall scored when the ball bounced out from under Douglass leg pad. Anne Harvell assisted on the play in the crease. The Tigers was able to move the ball around diagonally with Bryndi Richards, Shayna Merserve, Gina Nemi and Liz LeBlanc LeBlanc, which prevented the Rebels from making a stand.

Telstar received a monumental performance from goalie Brianna Douglass (19 saves) who make several straight-on kick saves. The senior net minder was extremely aggressive and showed great range. Defensive halfbacks Sam Legass and Amanda Gunther and fullback Mariah Bundy each rotated back to intercept passes.

“Yes, it was a busy day to say the least,” Douglass said. “I had to stay focused back there, but I had the defense in front of me and I could arrange them where they would be most effective.”

Telstar was able to advance the ball down the field and took a 2-1 lead when Mills scored a 7:56 left in the second half. Cowin had a goal on a Kayla Merrill assist.

Jay had started strong and Richards poked home her rebound at 17:09. The Tigers relied on their rotating defense led by sweeper Mallory Bonnevie and halfbacks Emily Bolvin, Hillary Chaney and sisters Betsy and Eliza Gemelli.

“The girls left it all on the field,” Jay coach Jane DiPompo said. “We double-teamed Mills and the defense played a zone, so other players had to beat us. It was a fast game, and I’d rather go out playing strong like we did than to have not played like we are capable of.”