Brunswick’s Sara Scrapchansky (5) races to the middle of the field during a breakaway during the second half of Monday’s KVAC field hockey game. (Eric Maxim / The Times Record)
BRUNSWICK — Brunswick benefitted with goals from three different scorers, including the go-ahead score by Lauren Jacobs midway through the second half to break a 2-2 deadlock to edge Lewiston, 3-2 in Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference field hockey action on Monday.
Brunswick’s Lauren Jacobs (32) races in front of Lewiston’s Mya Grant before sending the ball into the circle during the second half of Monday’s KVAC high school field hockey game in Brunswick. The Dragons edges the Blue Devils, 3-2. (Eric Maxim / The Times Record)
The Dragons improved to 3-4 and will travel to Hampden Academy on Wednesday (4 p.m.). The Blue Devils fell to 1-6 and host Bangor on Thursday evening (6:30 p.m.)
“We are undefeated at home, we like our field although I don’t think anyone else does,” Brunswick coach Carrie Sullivan said about the field, one of a handful of teams that play their home games on grass as opposed to turf. Brunswick has won three of its last five games, including home wins against Edward Little (6-1) and Messalonskee (4-3).
The Dragons wasted no time scoring the first goal as they marched down the field off the opening whistle as Sara Scrapchansky deflected a Grace Casey shot 38-seconds into the game.
“I think one of our real strengths is our speed, especially in the front. Once we get a breakaway and our forwards get it, we’re doing a really good job getting it in there,” Scrapchansky said. “Our communication is very good, and all of our other forwards work together as it’s not a one-man show and that really helps.”
Fifteen minutes later, Brunswick junior Gia Guernelli picked up a loose ball and beat Lewiston keeper Cecilia Landry for the goal.
“There was a lot going on and I just slammed it in,” Guernelli said.
Despite being down two goals, Lewiston continued to create opportunities in the offensive end.
At 10:19, Emma Begin put the Blue Devils on the board with a goal off a Mya Grant helper following one of five first-half corners for the visitors.
Brunswick’s Lauren Jacobs (32) and Lewiston’s Adia Coulombe both race for the ball during the second half of Monday’s high school field hockey game in Brunswick. (Eric Maxim / The Times Record)
“Usually when we practice on corners we use flicks, we typically play on turf but knew it was going to work on grass so I just went for it and it went in and I have my team to thank for that,” Begin said.
The score held at 2-1heading into the halftime break. Brunswick was able to get eight shots on goal in the first 30-minutes, with Landry collecting six saves. Despite the numbers, Sullivan felt her team was able to do more in the half.
“We got that first goal and kind of sat back on our heels. I believe Lewiston played a better first half than we did after that,” the coach said. “We were lucky to come out ahead at the half, but we managed to put it together in the second half.”
Lewiston ties the game
After cutting the deficit in half, the Blue Devils received the equalizer nine minutes into the second frame when Cecilia Miller found Begin for the junior’s second score of the game.
Brunswick answered right back. After a near score from a Scrapchansky shot that hit the right post of the cage, Jacobs broke the tie with 13:55 on the clock with shot from seven yards out and in to the right side that would have left a dent if the cage had been metal.
“I had an opportunity to hit a few times, the third time was a charm,” Jacobs said of her blast.
“(Penalty corner) started to break down, but she muscled through it,” Sullivan said of Jacobs score. “It’s tough for us to get her a clear shot, but when she does, it’s tough to stop.”
Lewiston continued to battle, but the defense of Brunswick that included Kristen Hummer and Casey, as well as the midfield play of Maddie Wayne and Emma Lind, held the Blue Devils to one second half shot and one penalty corner to seal the win.
Brunswick’s Lauren Jacobs (32) swings in front of Lewiston’s Mya Grant during the second half of Monday’s KVAC high school field hockey game in Brunswick. The Dragons edges the Blue Devils, 3-2. (Eric Maxim / The Times Record)
Landry finished with 10 saves in net, while Brunswick’s Liberty Krauss had one. Brunswick outshot the Blue Devils, 14-3, while holding a slight edge in penalty corners, 8-7.
For Brunswick, the play of its offensive weapons that includes the spreading of the offense is key to the team’s success.
“Grace played a great game today, her aerials really helped us. Lauren has amazing stick skills and if the other team focuses on her, we have Sara Scrapchansky or Kelsey Sullivan to mention a couple on our front line,” as coach Sullivan rattled off a few names on the offensive side.
The players like the distribution of the scoring as well.
“It’s good to get goals from different players, it’s not just one or two players,” Guernelli said.
“Anyone on the team can score and wants to score. It’s a matter of who gets there,” Jacobs added. “So, if some of us are marked, there’s usually someone else gets that fire and goes after it.”
Lewiston’s Mikayla Tabor (8) and Brunswick’s Sara Scrapchansky both race for the ball during Monday’s KVAC field hockey game in Brunswick. (Eric Maxim / The Times Record)
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