JAY — Senior forward Haley Tuplin knew she had the right angle when she rifled the game-winning shot that caught the top left corner of the Spruce Mountain net with 5:41 left in double overtime on Monday.
Tuplin’s spectacular goal allowed the Greyhounds to escape with a 2-1 victory over the tenacious Phoenix in a matchup of one-loss Class C and Mountain Valley Conference field hockey teams.
“It was just a matter of getting the open shot,” Tuplin said. “We’ve had some pretty good passes up an down the field that we have been doing in practices just to get that ball moving. We’ve been working on quick shots … so I was able to get that angle — a perfect angle for that shot.”
Lisbon (7-1) coach Julie Petrie said Tuplin’s energy on the field and work ethic always gives the Greyhounds a boost.
“She is a hustler,” Petrie said. “She plays both ends of the field. She has a nice hard shot and she was patient on that last one. She knew what she had to do. I am proud of her and proud of all my girls. The grit they showed tonight — I am just really proud of my kids.”
The matchup was a nail-bitter to the end, with both teams playing feverishly in the first half with nothing to show for it. That 0-0 tie was like one big hint that this showdown would have to be settled in overtime.
There were other serious but squandered opportunities for both teams before Spruce Mountain (7-2) struck first 3:10 into the third quarter with an unassisted goal by sophomore Olivia Mastine.
It took nearly another 13 minutes before the Greyhounds responded with the tying goal. Tuplin snuck in first goal with 2:44 left in the third quarter.
The Phoenix had a nice chance to end the game in the first overtime when Mariyah Fournier was awarded a penalty shot, but her shot was stopped by Greyhounds goalie Maria Levesque.
“Honestly, that is a crappy situation to be in as a goalie,” Petrie said. “She is a senior leader for us. I am just so proud of her because the game could have ended there.”
Spruce Mountain coach Racheal Mastine praised both teams’ efforts.
“It was definitely a competitive game,” she said. “… That’s what we’ve had for a week, and that’s we were hoping for — we got it. Lisbon is a fast, competitive team. Definitely very physical, so it was a good match. I think they play the same style we play.”
Monday’s game was Spruce Mountain’s third in five days against one of the other top teams in Class C field hockey. They dealt defending state champion Winthrop its second loss on Wednesday, then beat Dirigo in overtime on Friday. All three games were decided by one goal, and two went to overtime.
Lisbon, which has handed the Phoenix both of their losses this season — also winning 2-0 on Aug. 31 — faces the only team is has lost to, Winthrop (7-2), on Wednesday at home. The Ramblers defeated the Greyhounds 4-0 on Sept. 2. Winthrop and Lisbon were the Class C South finalists in 2021.
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