FREEPORT — Freeport’s field hockey team had Saturday’s battle against Leavitt circled for a while.

That’s because the Hornets were the last team to beat the Falcons, 19 games ago, and because Freeport, the reigning Class B state champion and leader in the B South Heal point standings this fall, was eager to measure itself against one of the top Class B North powers.

The Falcons then produced the win they’ve been waiting for, riding an early goal from Liza Flower, a third-period strike from Emily Groves and a solid defensive effort throughout to a 2-0 victory – their 11th this fall.

“I feel like Leavitt’s perceived as a very strong team and we lost to them last year, so there were some nerves coming into this game, but also excitement, so it feels good to beat them,” said Groves.

The Hornets produced some early pressure that didn’t result in a shot, then Freeport went in front to stay with 10:37 to go in the first quarter when Groves crossed the ball into the circle and Flower backhanded a shot past Leavitt goalie Gabby Smith (six saves).

“Getting the first goal is huge for us,” said Falcons Coach Marcia Wood. “Sometimes we struggle getting the first goal, but we got it quickly, and granted, it’s a marathon, not a sprint, (but) to at least have one there was big.”

Leavitt’s best chance to tie the score came in the second quarter, but Jada Beedy’s shot was denied by Falcons goalie Maddie Kryzak (five saves).

Freeport could have opened up a comfortable lead by halftime but failed to convert on seven penalty corners.

“I was never too worried that we didn’t score more in the first half,” said Flower. “We were keeping up our intensity.”

Leavitt (10-2) fell behind 2-0 when Groves converted the rebound of a Flower shot midway through the third quarter.

That goal forced Leavitt Coach Cathy Marston to call a timeout. It awakened her team.

The Hornets produced four shots in the second half, including a bid from Ainsley Barry in the fourth quarter that forced Kryzak to make a diving save.

“I think the important thing was that we didn’t panic on defense,” said Freeport’s Lizalyn Boudreau, who controlled the middle of the field as she has done all season. “We just wanted to stay calm.”

Leavitt also had a pair of penalty corners in the fourth quarter but couldn’t convert, and after winning their first 10 contests, the Hornets went down to defeat for the second time in three days, having been blanked by Belfast on Thursday, 4-0.

“I think if we would have been present like we were the last eight minutes, it would have been a different game,” Marston said. “I think (Freeport) got in our heads at the beginning. I feel like the last eight minutes was the true Leavitt field hockey team.

“We have MCI and Nokomis to finish (the regular season) and they’ll be tough games, but I think we have the talent to take care of it.”