HODGDON, Maine — For the first time in the history of the Hodgdon girls soccer program, the Hawks notched a home playoff win on their newly-created soccer field.
The No. 7 Hodgdon girls (8-5-1 overall) defeated No. 10 Shead (5-8) of Eastport 3-2 Friday afternoon in a Class D North preliminary playoff. The Hawks now have the tough task of taking on No. 2 Penobscot Valley (13-1) of Howland Wednesday, Oct. 27.
In previous years, the Hawk girls have hosted soccer playoff games on the boys field, but starting this year the team has played all of its games on the newly-created field behind Mill Pond Elementary School.
“It has been 18 years since the girls have won a playoff game and this is our first time winning one on this field,” Hodgdon coach Rob Smith said. “This was a back-and-forth game and we continued to crash the goal and came out on top.”
The Hawks did not face Shead during the regular season, but have faced the Tigers in previous years. Coach Smith said based on those previous contests he was expecting the team to attack down the middle of the field.
That observation rang true Friday as Shead did precisely that, using its front line speed to beat Hodgdon’s defenders on several occasions.
Lindsey Donahe put Shead on the scoreboard first as she scored on a breakaway goal just six minutes into the game.
Hodgdon’s Alaina Campbell evened the game at 1-1 with a well-placed goal with 7:07 remaining in the first half. Delaney Little gave the Hawks a 2-1 lead as she converted a corner kick with just one second to play before the half.
“We had a little bit of miscommunication in the first half, but our defense tightened up in the second half,” Smith said.
Shead evened the score at 2-2 as Donahe scored her second goal of the game with 14:58 to play. The Hawks remained undaunted and scored what proved to be the game-winning goal when Gracie Little struck a well-hit ball with 12:39 remaining.
Hodgdon goalie Madison Smith made four saves on six shots. Shead goalie Kahlysta Morris had 18 saves on 25 shots.
“Our girls have a never-give-up attitude,” coach Smith said. “They realize you just have to keep playing no matter what because all it takes is one bad bounce.”
HODGDON, Maine — October 22, 2021 — Hodgdon’s Meghan Peters (left) unleashes a shot as Shead’s Katie Bartlett defends during Friday’s Class D North prelim game. Hodgdon won 3-2. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
HODGDON, Maine — October 22, 2021 — Leaping into the air to head the ball is Hodgdon’s Hope Howland during Friday’s Class D North prelim game. Watching the ball is Shead goalie Kahlysta Morris. Hodgdon won 3-2. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
