What a difference a year makes. Just ask the Lisbon Greyhounds who are enjoying a stellar field hockey season while learning how to win the close games.

The Hounds were hoping for a home playoff game, but finished the regular season ranked No. 5 in Western Class C.

“Last year, we finished fifth just behind Telstar, so we had to travel up there,” said Lisbon coach Mark Stevens. “We have been playing well this year with a few losses, but those were close games.”

Lisbon lost four games in OT in 2003, so a goal was to win the close ones. This year started on a positive note, with wins over Jay and Livermore Falls in double overtime. A couple additional wins by one goal each offset 2-1 losses against MVC king pins Winthrop and Telstar.

The Lisbon offense has been productive with leading scorer Emily Poliquin, as a rotating forward. Kelly Campbell, Erica Merrit, Amanda Stevens, and Brittany Doughty also have contributed in scoring. The solid play of two-time MVC all-star midfielder Kim Campbell has been a strong link to supporting the front and back fields. She provides constant pressure in the transition game.

“The team is a close bunch on and off the field,” Stevens said. “We have a competitive senior class who believe that this is their year. They realize what it will take to get there.”

Seniors Kristen Piche and Jen Hogan have been keeping opponents from making quality shots at on goal, along with sweeper Mindy Sullivan. Beth Williams is getting good experience as a first-time varsity goalie.

Knights looking up

Things are looking up for the Poland field hockey team, which has won four games, the most in the history of the program, and has earned a berth in the postseason.

The team has been competitive in several games.

“In large part, most of the girls worked out over the summer, which had never been done before,” Knights coach/athletic director Sue Robbins said. “Additionally, I believe that I have been able to motivate them on a different level. They work hard and are eager to learn and be successful. We have worked on the fundamentals of the game all year and the girls’ skills have improved significantly.”

Poland, No. 8 in Heal Points, recorded its first-ever wins over Freeport and Sacopee Valley. The Freeport score raised eyebrows because the Falcons defeated St. Dom’s. Poland lost 1-0 to the Saints.

The forward line, consisting of Amanda Corriveau, Jessica Hodgkiss, Brittany Copp, Becky Lindquist, Chelsea Gerard and Heather Clark, has been scoring goals.

“We have worked a lot on our transition game this year,” Robbins said. “This has included bringing the ball to our strong side and our opponent’s weak side. It has enabled us to play more offensively than we have in the past.”

The midfield has done a great job of distributing the ball. Robyn Gauthier is the center of attention, but Jess Moser, Amanda Plummer and Mallory Huskins, Megan McKenney.

Senior captain Elsie Cummings has done a great job keeping the ball out of the cage. Backs include Kristen Simpson, Erica Carver, Kit Levine.

New beginnings

Erica Dorso has encountered new challenges as a member of the University of Maine field hockey team.

Dorso, the 2003 Sun Journal Player of the Year, is now she is a small fish in a big pond. The St. Dom’s graduate is playing approximately 10 minutes a game and paying her dues.

“It’s a much faster game,” Dorso said. “But I feel that I’ve adjusted to it because I went up to Orono a couple weeks early and got my classes all set, plus I was able to practice.”

Field of dreams

Approximately 20 teams will attend the Maine Middle School Field Hockey Jamboree this Saturday at Kents Hill School. It’s an opportunity for former players and interested adults to become involved in field hockey umpiring.

The jamboree, a community service project of Kents Hill field hockey teams, promotes sportsmanship, friendship, and participation beyond the middle school years.

“The idea of a middle school Jamboree comes from a belief in the value of service to the community,” organizer and Kents Hill coach Randy Richardson said. “Our purpose is to provide middle school girls with the opportunity to play with teams from around the state that they may not otherwise play. And then we want to encourage them to continue playing in high school.”

Since its inception, MFHUA umpires have donated their time to the jamboree. They umpire games and promote positive parental participation on the sidelines. For information, contact Richardson at Kents Hill at [email protected].