Wednesday was a day to remember for Cheverus senior Olivia Bradford.
In the morning, it was announced that Bradford is a semifinalist for the Becky Schaffer Award, given to the state’s outstanding senior girls’ hockey player.
A few hours later, Bradford helped her team to a playoff victory with a hat trick as second-ranked Cheverus, a co-op team that also includes players from Kennebunk, Old Orchard Beach and Windham, had no trouble with seventh-ranked Gorham/Bonny Eagle/Massabesic/Westbrook/Fryeburg, winning 10-3 in the South quarterfinals.
The Stags (10-4-1) advance to take on third-ranked Scarborough in the semifinals on Saturday.
“Olivia’s been a tremendous leader for us all year long on a team that is as young and inexperienced as ours,” said Cheverus Coach Scott Rousseau. ”I think she’d been frustrated that her scoring hadn’t come, but her leadership has been so important.”
Cheverus went on top to stay at 4:09 of the first period when Bradford set up Lucy Johnson, who fired the puck past Gorham goalie Sadie Dyer (35 saves). Lily Johnson was also credited with an assist.
The Stags then added to the lead on a power play at 5:39, as Charlotte Miller scored on a rebound of Bradford’s shot.
Cheverus goalie Ella Lemieux (two saves) had to make one key stop in the first period, denying Sydney Haskell after a turnover. The Stags then went up 3-0 on a long shot from Lily Johnson that snuck through at 11:28. Miller was given an assist.
Cheverus didn’t let up in the second period, scoring twice in a two-second span. Lily Johnson scored from Lucy Johnson at 3:42, then Zoey Radford set up Mikayla Talbot at 3:44 to make it 5-0.
Gorham Coach Mary Vaughan called a timeout, but it didn’t stem the tide, as Cheverus got a sixth goal at 6:47 when Miller set up Bradford. Then Madeline Doherty scored on a rebound at 14:03, with Talbot and Lucy Johnson getting assists.
Bradford finished her hat trick with two goals early in the third period, the first assisted by Miller and Lily Johnson and the second assisted by Cooney.
“We worked together today to produce our goals,” said Bradford. “Every goal we had was assisted. I had the support of my teammates. They had my back and set me up for those goals. I really love my linemates.”
After Talbot scored for the second time on a rebound, Gorham (5-10) broke through. Cadence Howard scored unassisted, Howard set up Emerson Homa for a goal, then Howard scored once more.
“All we asked of (the girls) was to play their hearts out for 45 minutes and we did that,” said Vaughan. “We’ve got a great senior group that has set the tone for us for four years. Hopefully we’ll get some momentum from this season.”
Send questions/comments to the editors.
