SACO — A few days ago Thornton Academy field hockey coach Lori Smith asked who on her team had scored at least three goals this season. She said five or six girls raised their hands.
The response showed that only five games into the season, the Trojans could rely on a number of players on offense.
That continued Monday night when six players scored for Thornton in a 6-0 victory over Biddeford in an SMAA game.
The win pushed the Trojans to 5-0-1 this season. Biddeford is 2-4, with each game decided by a shutout.
“You can’t just mark one player on our team. We’re pretty balanced all the way across,” Smith said.
Thornton Academy forward Taylor Ouellette controls the ball in front of the Biddeford goal as Biddeford’s Peyton McKeown, left, and Paige Boudreau defend. Carl D. Walsh/Staff Photographer
Among the scorers Monday night were freshmen Lily Stark and Olivia Lambert – six minutes apart late in the second half.
“We have four freshmen and I’m trying to bring them along so anyone can step in,” Smith said. “They’re really coming along and the last few weeks I’ve seen a ton of improvement.”
Biddeford Coach Caitlin Albert, meanwhile, is forced to play numerous young players; nine of her starters are freshmen or sophomores.
“Our best bet (tonight) was to score first,” said Albert, who has two starters who never played field hockey before this season.
“Having such a young team … it’s all about momentum, especially for these girls, (and) to battle back from 2-0 or 3-0, I know that would be real tough for them.”
The Tigers were able to keep the Trojans scoreless for the first 17½ minutes of the game.
Biddeford goalie Taylor Wildes watches a penalty shot from Thornton Academy’s Grace Decker go past during Monday’s game in Saco on Monday. Carl D. Walsh/Staff Photographer
A scramble in front with 12:36 left in the half resulted in a penalty shot. Grace Decker whistled a shot to the goalie’s left that tucked inside the post for a 1-0 lead.
Despite being a defensive back, Decker regularly takes the free hit.
“I just cut the noise out and try to do it like I do in practice,” she said.
“I try not to put too much pressure on myself.”
A little more than three minutes later, Cat Henaire deflected an Abby Pomerleau shot past Biddeford goalie Taylor Wildes (11 saves).
The lead was pushed to 3-0 with 1:53 left in the half when Claire Decker took a pass from Bella Robinson and scored from about 20 yards.
From there the more experienced Trojans clamped down on defense and only allowed a few rushes.
Biddeford’s Paige Laverriere watches Thornton Academy forward Emma Dutremble’s pass go by with the ball. Carl D. Walsh/Staff Photographer
“I think we did really well as a team today,” said Grace Decker, who formed a strong wall with Pomerleau and Sidney Hurst to keep any Biddeford shot from reaching goalie Isabella Capozzi.
“We made good passes and decisions. We read every play really well and backed each other up.”
Taylor Ouellette also collected a goal for the Trojans after taking a pass from Robinson midway through the second half.
The Tigers got strong offensive play from Paige Laverriere, Amber Magnant and Hailey Allen.
With all of the young player, Albert knows there’s a bright future for Biddeford.
“We held them 0-0 (until there was )12 minutes left (in the first half),” Albert said.
“In two years when the bulk of our team are seniors and juniors we will have the experience to come back. But it’s about building the program right now.”
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