A senior midfielder, Ruby Sliwkowski led Kennebunk to a victory over Yarmouth in last year’s Class A state championship game and will try to do it again Monday. Derek Davis/Staff Photographer
CLASS A
Who: Yarmouth (13-4) vs. Kennebunk (16-0)
When: 3:30 p.m. Monday
Where: Fitzpatrick Stadium, Portland
Outlook: A rematch of last season’s state championship game, Kennebunk is playing for a third straight title and a 49th consecutive win. The Rams’ last loss was in the 2019 state championship game. Yarmouth last won the state title in 2021, when the Clippers competed in Class B, and this is Yarmouth’s 10th straight season playing in a state championship game (there was no season in 2020 due to the pandemic). These teams met once in the regular season, with Kennebunk taking a 15-5 win. Kennebunk is a juggernaut. The Rams have outscored their opponents by more than 200 goals, 251-45, have allowed more than 10 goals just once this season, and surrendered five or fewer goals in every other game. That strong defense is led by goalie Elizabeth Hayes, who allows an average of three goals per game. Yarmouth’s defense, led by senior captains Sadie Carnes and Sara Wentzell, played its best game of the season in its 8-5 semifinal win at Falmouth. The Clippers will be hard-pressed to slow down a Rams offense led by senior Ruby Sliwkowski, who has 83 goals and 49 assists this season. Ivy Armentrout (43 goals) and Mara Muse (43 goals) also contribute to Kennebunk’s deep offense. Offensively, Yarmouth is led by Aine Powers (50 goals, 26 assists), Lauren Keeney (45 goals, 14 assists), and Neena Panozzo (32 goals, 11 assists). Freshman goalie Grace Keeney is a newcomer to the position but has been strong.
NYA’s Charlotte Harper-Cunningham carries the the ball past Greely’s Jenny Medrano during a regular-season game. Derek Davis/Staff Photographer
CLASS C
Who: North Yarmouth Academy (11-5) vs. Freeport (15-1)
When: 10 a.m. Monday
Where: Fitzpatrick Stadium, Portland
Outlook: NYA is playing for a second straight state championship, while Freeport, the Class C runner-up in 2021, is vying for its first state title. These teams played a pair of games in the regular season, with Freeport winning both, 12-7 and 6-5. Since that second loss to the Falcons on May 20, NYA has won six games in a row. Freeport’s lone loss was to Class B champion Greely. Sophomore Lana DiRusso is Freeport’s top goal scorer, with 41 goals to go with 14 assists. Senior Kate Tracey has 36 goals and 24 assists, while sophomore Mia Levesque has 34 goals and 15 assists. Tracey and DiRusso have combined for 85 draw controls. As strong as the Falcons’ offense can be, this is a team that excels on defense. Freeport hasn’t allowed more than seven goals in a game, and senior goalie Piper Williams has 106 saves and a .620 save percentage. The Falcons will be tested by NYA’s high-scoring duo of Vy Tran (62 goals, 47 assists) and Lyla Casey (45 goals). With 26 goals, Leah Dube is also a scoring threat for the Panthers. Defensively, the Panthers are led by twins sisters Josie and Charlotte Harper-Cunningham. Freshman Anaya Roundy allowed 10 goals just once over the last 11 games.
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