WINTHROP — As is the case most years, the Winthrop field hockey team entered the Class C North playoffs without the benefit of knowing much about its opponent.
“It’s the challenge we face,” Winthrop coach Jess Merrill said. “It’s difficult because while we try to get up north to see those teams play, they often play on the same days we do. But not knowing what your opponent does, it gives you that opportunity to just focus on what you do well.” The top-seeded Ramblers did just that Friday, edging Stearns/Schenck 2-1 in a Class C North semifinal.
Winthrop (14-1-1) will play No. 2 Dexter (14-2-0) in the regional championship Tuesday at Hampden Academy.
“It was a lot closer than I would’ve liked,” Merrill said. “We dominated the game, but Stearns did a good job of adapting to our field. We had a lot of opportunities that we didn’t capitalize on.”
Kinli DiBiase scored the game-winning goal with 16:07 remaining in the game.
She assisted on the team’s other goal, which Nora Conrad scored in the first half. Aiva Agri made four saves for the Ramblers, who held a 16-3 edge in penalty corners.
“It was a physical game,” Merrill said. “We played well. We passed the ball well and did what we do.”
Marissa Marter had an unassisted goal for the Minutemen (8-7-1).
Winthrop didn’t play Stearns/Schenck in the regular season.
“We did see them a few times so we know a little,” Merrill said. “We’ll see how it goes.”
No. 3 Poland 2, No. 2 Yarmouth 1
YARMOUTH — Bri Doucette scored a goal and had an assist as Poland edged Yarmouth 2-1 in a Class B South field hockey semifinal Friday afternoon.
Lexi Morey scored the game-winner for the Knights. Higera Nawass had an assist on Doucette’s goal.
Emilie Martin converted a relay from Kristen Thomas for the lone Clippers’ goal. Yarmouth outshot the Knights by a margin of 8-6.
Goalie Cayte Tilloston had four saves for Yarmouth, while Ashton Sturtevant repelled eight shots to earn the win in net for Poland.
Poland will face York in the regional finals on Tuesday at Thornton Academy in Saco.
Boys’ soccer
No. 9 Rangeley 2, No. 8 Greater Portland Christian 1
SOUTH PORTLAND — Freshman midfielder Connor Hall scored the game-winning goal as Rangeley eked out a 2-1 victory over Greater Portland Christian Academy in boys’ soccer action Friday afternoon.
The Lakers led 1-0 at the half. Hall dribbled the ball past many defenders before exchanging it with Kyle Larochelle. On Larochelle’s pass back, Hall soft touched it into the back of the net.
Sophomore midfielder Sebastien Irish spoiled the shutout with a second half goal for the Lions.
Goalie Mason Jones made 9 saves for Greater Portland Christian, while goalie Hunter Lowell turned away five shots to earn the win in net for Rangeley.
No. 8 Carrabec 3, No. 9 Winthrop 2
NORTH ANSON — Cavan Weegler scored off a Dylan Willette corner kick 4 minutes into overtime to give the Carrabec boys soccer team at 3-2 win over Winthrop in a Class C South prelim game Friday.
Jacob Atwood and Willette had the other goals for No. 8 Carrabec (8-7-0), which will travel to face No. 1 Maranacook in the quarterfinals on Wednesday. Cole Rugh added an assist while Brad Clark made 13 saves.
Jared McLaughlin and Noah Grube scored for No. 9 Winthrop (6-8-1). Ben Boulay stopped 16 shots.
Football
FARMINGTON — The Skowhegan football team overcame an early 14-point deficit to take a 50-20 Pine Tree Conference Class B win over Mt. Blue at Caldwell Field on Friday night.
Skowhegan enters the playoffs with a 5-3 record. Mt. Blue ends the season at 1-7.
Men’s soccer
SMCC 4, CMCC 0
AUBURN — Freshman forward Senai Yenie scored the first of four unanswered goals for Southern Maine Communicty College as the Seawolves dispatched Central Maine Community College 4-0 in their last regular season matchup in men’s soccer action Friday afternoon.
The Seawolves (3-4-1) led 2-0 at the midpoint.
Senior defensive back captain Cody Dolloff had a solid season on defense and was a standout in the Mustang’s (3-5) final game of the season. Neither team made the playoffs.
Goalie Jacoby Robinson made four saves for the Mustangs, while goalie Patrick Duddy also fended off four in the winning effort.
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