By Bob McPhee,Staff Writer

BETHEL – It was double or nothing, and it certainly tested the character of both field hockey teams.

But it was Telstar which rose from the ashes too repeat as the Western Class C Regional champions on Thursday afternoon.

A trio of players scored in the second half – including Liz Rosenberg who flicked in a penalty stroke with 5:01 left – as the Rebels came back for a thrilling 3-2 triumph over Livermore Falls.

Telstar will play the Eastern regional champion in the state game on Saturday at 2 p.m at Fitzpatrick Stadium.

The game was played under snow-covered peaks at chilly Gould Academy because the Telstar field was in poor condition.

Rebel goalie Stephanie Tripp, who had been quiet through out the game, recorded five quality saves in the final three minutes. The Andies flooded the zone, but shots by Erica Gats, Taryn Flagg and Kelsey Biliouris were each denied. Rebel fullback Jullian Kimball and Lauren Conroy helped clear the zone.

The two teams entered the game quite familiar with each other, having split a pair of games during the regular season.

As an extra incentive, the winner also earned the Mountain Valley Conference Championship.

“Adrenalin was the key,” Rosenberg said. “We all came together and played our game by reacting to the ball, instead waiting to react to what (Livermore Falls) was doing. We also wanted to prove that last year was no fluke, but we’ll need to play better on Saturday.”

Telstar was pressuring the crease and a penalty stroke was awarded when Andies goalie Sam Whiting (eight saves) smothered the ball. Rosenberg lined up for the stroke, sized up the situation and the ball whipped past Whiting’s leg pad.

“I had read the newspaper,” Rosenberg said. “Whiting had said she always blinked to get ready for a penalty stroke. Well, I stared right at her and she didn’t blink. I looked for her weakness and figured a low shot was the best.”

Livermore Falls had tied the score again at 2-all on a reverse stick goal by Majorie Debrowsky. The Andies called time out a few minutes earlier and gained control of the ball. Debrowsky had just re-entered the game.

Telstar scored two goals at 11:41 of the second half. Mallory Brown converted a pass from Kayla Mills at 27:43. Mills also redirected in a Rosenberg advancing pass.

“This team has been close all season,” Mills said, referring to its successful run. “In the second half, there was no holding back. Our biggest adjustment was communication between us on the field.”

Livermore Falls dominated throughout the first half by hustling after loose balls and anticipating Rebel passes. Defenders Jenika Kelley headed up to midfield and hit long pass back in. Gats scored on a Flagg assist at 18:33.

Telstar received solid play by Chea and Bailey Davis.

“The first half was horrendous,” Telstar coach Gail Wight said.

“Livermore Falls was cutting off our diagonal passes, but in the second half, we used flat passes, and it opened things up. Stephanie Tripp was tremendous, fastest she has had to move all season.”