YORK — When asked to provide a list of the top field hockey players she saw this year, Kennebunk Coach Kayla Billings wrote a small comment in her email next to each name. When it came to York senior Lily Posternak, Billings simply wrote, “Enough said.”
Mention Lily Posternak, and everyone knew who you were talking about. The dominant player on perhaps the state’s dominant team the last three years, Posternak had an outstanding career that ended with her scoring the winning goal that gave the Wildcats their third consecutive Class B state championship and 54th consecutive victory.
Posternak is the Maine Sunday Telegram Player of the Year for the third consecutive year.
“From Day 1, as soon as she stepped on the field as a freshman, she was able to impact everything about our team,” said Barb Marois, the York coach and a former U.S. Olympic field hockey player. “She was pretty much all over the field and I think pretty much set a tone for our team and how we approached things.”
In her four years, York went 71-1, the lone loss to Nokomis in the 2013 state championship game. This year, she scored both goals in York’s 2-1 championship game victory over Belfast, including the winner with 3:22 remaining.
She set school career records for goals (88) and assists (57), including 33 goals and 15 assists this year. She will next play at Duke University, which was ranked No. 1 this year but lost in the NCAA quarterfinals.
“I’m sure there will be new pressure,” said Posternak, who plans to study design and architecture. “But I’m excited to learn new things and be pushed outside my comfort zone and expand my game.”
Asked where she saw Posternak improve the most, Marois said, “All areas. Her stick skills, mentality about playing the game, maturity in playing the game … And as a passer, too.”
Dan Posternak said his daughter would often go to tournaments when she was younger, then spend the evening going up and down the hallway in the hotel practicing her stick skills because she wasn’t satisfied with how she had played.
“You obviously are born with some talent,” he said. “But you can’t teach drive and you can’t teach motivation. And she had that. That’s what set her apart.”
She plays for the Boston Field Hockey Club in the offseason. “I get to play with more D1 commits, so playing with them has helped me become a better player, learning from them,” she said.
Looking back at her four years at York, Posternak said, “It’s incredible, really. It’s been a great four years, for sure.”
Telegram All-State team
Haley Carter, Skowhegan junior sweeper: Called by Coach Paula Doughty “absolutely the best sweeper I have ever had,” Carter was the backbone of Skowhegan’s defense and made six saves, including three in the playoffs.
Chase Collier, Lisbon senior forward: A finalist for Miss Maine Field Hockey, Collier helped the Greyhounds reach the Class C South final by scoring 21 goals and 13 assists. The Mountain Valley Conference player of the year, she finished her career with 38 goals and 21 assists.
Allison Corbett, Messalonskee senior midfielder: A repeat all-state selection, Corbett had four goals and three assists to help the Eagles reach the Class A North final. Corbett had 30 goals and 16 assists in her career. She will play at Division I St. Joseph’s in Philadelphia.
Hannah Costin, Marshwood senior center midfielder: A three-time all-SMAA pick, Costin won the Faith Littlefield Award as the league’s outstanding player. She collected 16 goals and 14 assists, despite being constantly double-teamed.
Emma Desrochers, Massabesic senior midfielder: Desrochers was valuable in so many aspects as the Mustangs advanced to their first state championship game. She scored seven goals this season and had 23 for her career.
Haley Frizzle, Mt. Ararat senior goalie: Frizzle made 241 saves this season, including some that Coach Krista Chase said “she had no business” saving. She had 648 career saves and will next play at UMaine-Farmington.
Lexi Fuller, Oak Hill senior sweeper: In helping the Raiders win the Class C state title, Fuller led a defense that gave up only eight goals. She made several defensive saves, and contributed offensively with six goals (including a penalty stroke in the state final) and four assists.
Delaney Keithley, Cony senior midfielder: Keithley, who plays with a combination of speed and power, had 11 goals and two assists, bringing her career totals to 39 goals and 22 assists. She will play at Colby College.
Maliea Kelso, Skowhegan sophomore midfielder: Kelso put in 19 goals and assisted on 16 to help the Indians win another Class A state championship. The key shooter on penalty corners, Kelso has 39 goals and 28 assists in her career.
Autumn Littlefield, Messalonskee sophomore forward: The KVAC player of the year, Littlefield had 11 goals and eight assists, using her ability to dribble and dodge opponents and get off a hard shot. She has 17 goals and 11 assists in just two years and has already verbally committed to Boston College.
Kylie Nelson, Belfast senior forward: A finalist for Miss Maine Field Hockey, Nelson is a repeat all-state selection. She recorded 37 goals and 14 assists to help the Lions to the Class B state championship game. For her career, she had 96 goals and 43 assists. She will next at Division I Bryant University.
Lily Posternak, York senior center midfielder: Bound for Duke University, Posternak is a three-time Player of the Year and was honored with the Miss Maine Field Hockey award. She collected 33 goals and 15 assists while helping the Wildcats win their third consecutive Class B state title.
Coach of the Year
Michele Martin-Moore, Massabesic: When an injury took away one of her starting midfielders late in the season, Martin-Moore had to adjust her lineup. After a couple losses at the end of the regular season, the Mustangs regrouped and won the school’s first regional championship before falling to Skowhegan in the Class A state final.
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