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- We welcome you to Edward Little High School as Maine Public Sports brings you the MPA Field Hockey State Championships.

Hello everybody, I'm Rob Munsing.

Mo McNally joins me in the booth.

Quinn Bird will be down on our field as our field reporter.

Well, rain has played a little bit of a part in this rained heavily overnight.

The beauty of turf field, Coach McNally, is the fact that it can rain a lot and it gets dry fast.

- Yeah, absolutely.

This field is perfect.

This situation is perfect.

It's not raining right now, so I think we've got almost perfect weather for a game today and it's going to be exciting, Rob.

- Yeah, there wouldn't be a bigger contrast in the two teams that we see out here in the class A game here.

The Chevr Stags repeating as multi-year champions.

They'll take on the upstart.

Mount Ararat Eagles in their first ever state championship game in the 53 year history of field hockey at the Eagles.

So Mo, couldn't be a bigger contrast.

- Oh, absolutely.

I have talked to both coaches and as you said, Rob, Shevris is coming in well established in the last few years here in the state championship game.

- And as we take a look at - The - Stags, they have just the wealth of experience in these games.

Neither team had an early easy road to get here and certainly the Stags you know, had a bulls mark on them from the very get go of the season.

Both teams come in 17 and zero on the season.

Two undefeated titans here in the Class A game.

You're going to hear from both coaches here in just a little bit and we'll take a look at both teams here in depth here as we get a chance to have some pregame activities here.

And let's go down to Quinn Bird.

She's on the field for the pregame interviews.

Quinn.

- Thanks, Rob and Mo.

I'm here today with the head coach of Chevrus, Andrea.

Coach, today you're coming in as a three time state defending champions.

How are you going to approach another championship opportunity?

- Well, we're just going to have to go out there and we're going to have to fight for all four quarters.

We're going to have to play in tents and we're going to have to make sure that we're communicating out there.

- Your opponent is coming in with a very impressive record.

What challenges are you expecting to face today?

- Well, they know how to fight.

You know, they proved that in their regional championship game where they've played all the way to the very end.

So I think that's going to definitely be something that's challenging.

They have a lot of heart and they're just, they're great kids.

So I think we, we're going to be very evenly matched.

- Thanks, Coach.

Good luck.

Back to you guys.

- Thank you, Quinn.

Let's take a look at Chevers in a little bit of depth here as we take a look at their season.

As - We - Said, not an easy path there.

South Regional final against Thornton Academy, double overtime in that game ultimately decided sudden death seven on seven when Sydney Burnell hit a high stakes penalty stroke to keep the Stags undefeated season live and told them to head north here to Edward Little.

Taking a look at their stats.

They've scored, they scored five goals.

They only allow one high scoring team.

Their quarter final win, a definitive win over Noble.

Sanford, three and two and Thornton two to one as we said.

Well, Quinn's down on the field again.

We're going to take - A - Look at the Mount Arat Eagles.

Quinn.

- Thanks guys.

I'm here with Mount Erat Head Coach Krista.

Coach, today you're coming in with the first state champion in program history.

How do you guys feel about that today?

- We are so excited.

The girls are so excited.

They've worked so hard for this, some of them since they were three years old.

And we're just so excited to be here.

- What do you want the team to focus on the most today?

- Just playing with heart and leaving it all on the field.

These girls know good field hockey.

They know how to play hard.

First time on the big stage, but we've really talked about that mental mindset of leaving everything we have here today, playing a really full good game.

- Thank you.

Back to you guys.

- Well, let's take a little bit of a look Coach McDaly on the Eagles here and how their road has been here to the championship game.

- Again, Rob, as you, as you said, they come in 17 and 0 this season.

They had a great regular season.

Came into the Northern Championship game against Cowegan, ended up 3-2, but scored all three of their goals in the third and fourth quarter.

So they've got to come in as, as Coach Chase just said and really, really do a good job on the in the first quarter.

- Let's go to the upstairs PA announcer.

We'll get an introductions here.

- Good morning and welcome to Edward Little High School for the 2026 MPA Class A State Championship Game presented by Hammond Lumber Company.

Today's state championship contest features the visitors, the stags of Chevers High School.

Taking on the home team, the Eagles of Mount Arat.

And now let's meet the players.

First, the non-starters, number five from Chevrus, a junior, Liv Lundy.

A freshman number eight, Lila Hunter.

A freshman number 11, Shelby Clark.

A junior number 13, Olivia Johnson.

A freshman number 14, Gwen Johanning.

And a sophomore number 16, Delaney Werner.

And now let's meet the starters from Chevrus.

End goal is a sophomore number double zero, Bronwyn Roberts.

A sophomore number one, Brooke Brunel.

A sophomore number two, Ella Faranti.

A junior number three, Jaylee Radford.

A senior, number four, Mary McCartney.

A senior number six, Ava Martin.

A freshman number seven, Avery Tinker.

A senior number nine, Sydney Brunel.

A sophomore number 10, Julia Blay.

A sophomore number 12, Elizabeth DiBiasio.

And a junior number 19, Gracie Copper.

The head coach of Chevers is Andrea Musanti.

Assistant coaches Elizabeth Old Mixon, Maya Warus, Nora Slannery, and Amy Ashley.

The manager is Angie Valiente.

And now let's meet Mount Ararat Eagles.

A sophomore number five, Aisley Dyer.

A sophomore number three, Sammy Lidback.

A junior number six, Avery Elliot.

A senior, number seven, Bella Plummer.

A senior number eight, Lily LaChance.

A freshman number 14, Kennedy Prout.

A sophomore number 18, Maddie Graf.

A sophomore number 22, Journey Johnson.

A junior number 23, Joy Stewart.

A sophomore number 29, Claire Middleton.

A freshman number 30, Adeline Moody.

A senior number 31, Maddie Sweet.

A freshman number 33, Leah LaFrance.

A freshman number 40, Maddie Kenney.

A freshman number 41, Elena Barnakow.

And a sophomore number 42, Kensley Allen.

And now let's meet the starters for Mount Arat, a junior number one, Stella Mick Brady.

A junior number two, Callie LeClair.

A senior number four, Sarah Middleton.

A senior number nine, Krista Cohen.

A junior number 10, Emma Grafam.

A junior number 12, Cameron Chase.

A senior number 15, Addison Chubbock.

A junior number 16, Abby Tidwell.

And the goalkeepers of junior number 46, Jamie Bergman.

The head coach is Krista Chase.

Assistant coaches Annie Turnbull, Brett Chase, Julie Patri, Danielle Hiltz and Sandy Pickford.

The officials for today's contest are Lori Beth Rankin, Patrick Lewis, and Kim Boothby Downey.

Today, we proudly welcome all veterans and active duty military members, and we thank you for your service and your sacrifices.

Ladies and gentlemen, please rise as we honor America with the play of our national anthem.

- The pump, the circumstance of pregame is in the books.

It's time to play field hockey.

Let's take a look at the keys of game coach McNally.

Take us to this.

- Take a look real quick for Mount Airat.

Obviously they're coming in, maybe the underdog in some people's minds because of the the reign of Shevras in their 71 straight games here.

They've got to get inside, inside the 25, inside the circle, get through the wall that's held down by Sidney Brunel and company.

They're the best in the state.

And then they've got to be aggressive.

Once they're inside the circle, they've got to take shots and count on the second shot as well.

As for Chevres again, it's the same old thing.

They've been here three times before.

They're ready to go.

They need to slow down.

Mount Aras got the best, in my estimation, one of the best passing attacks in the state.

They're very, very smooth.

So they got to slow them down and Shevres has got to score early.

I mean, it's, it's going to be a real tight game all the way around, Rob.

- Well, a heavyweight match coming up here.

Glad you're with us on Maine Public Sports.

We'll have all three games here for you.

Staggs will be in white.

They'll be moving left to right on your screen.

The home teams are determined year to year.

It rotates every year.

There's no advantage or disadvantage at all home and visitors.

Just the uniform color you wear, that's it.

- Take a look at the stat that we didn't mention earlier, Rob.

We talked about goal scorers and, and Mount Arat comes in here having scored 83 goals this season.

Shavres comes in at 76, two of the most high powered offenses in the state.

Mount Ararat's got 11 shotouts this season and Chevras has got seven.

So we're pretty evenly matched as both coaches alluded to it initially.

- Well, the nerves will be there to start with.

We'll have to see which team settles at the quickest here and gets under attack.

Eagles will look to get it into the circle if they can.

As we said, that Chevras defense is paramount there.

Saw Brunel trying to defend, but Eagles on the attack.

Brady got it back outside, weaving through traffic with Chase.

Well, there's some good midfield defense there.

Turned it back into offense.

McBrady.

- This first few minutes, Rob, is a good sign for, for Mount Arat too.

They've got to get into the, their offensive end quickly.

They can't wait on Shevras.

Shavers is, as you said, their defenses is excellent.

So to have Mount Arat this quickly down in this, in the offensive end inside the 30s is pretty good.

- Through.

She's able to connect there with LaFrance.

Ava Martin for the Stags, couldn't get through traffic.

And a quick restart there by McBrady.

Got to go past the goal line.

- Little note on La France number 33 for Mount Arak.

Coach tells us that she scored 19 goals and had 10 assists.

And as I understand it, Rob, she's an ice hockey player that just picked up hockey, field hockey not too long ago.

- Well, skills translate pretty well.

- Absolutely.

And I watched her in the game against.

She's like a little mad up there.

Anything inside the 25, she's not going to let outside of there.

So she's she's quick.

She's got a good stick and she got a nose to the goal cage.

- Well, good counter there again by Mount Arad as they've had the better of the offensive thrust so far in this one.

The field's been tilted a little bit, but now it comes out to midfield.

Rapham will chase it down here for the Eagles.

Takes it wide.

She's defended.

They'll back pass here and try to set it back to Cohen who tries to thread it down the side and she connects, but just out of bounds, just out of the reach there of Cameron Chase.

- Cameron Chase is another big scorer for Mount Arat.

She's got 10 goals, but probably better than that.

She's got 26 assists.

And she leads from the midfield, Rob.

She's a smart, smart player.

Thinks a pass ahead and really directs the offense from the midfield.

- Looking to change field.

Middleton for the Eagles made the play and the early going is all Eagles.

Chavous really hasn't penetrated this side of the scoring field, been all down to the left.

That's chased down by Ferrante with the Eagles control.

Trying to get it into the circle.

Steelmate there.

You can hear the Chatter down on the field.

The opportunity here for the Eagles.

- Very often in these cases too, we might see Cameron chase on the on the receiving end of this insertion.

- Yeah, Cohen to insert.

Get a good view of her.

Puts it through, threads it high.

- There she is.

- End of the circle and we will do it again.

So this will be the second corner opportunity.

- As I said, initially to up, I've seen Chevrus a couple times this season.

They're very quick coming out of that out of the defensive set here.

So it's going to be difficult for Mounerat to get a quick shot off.

- Cone to insert.

It'll come up high.

Grapham, right side, in.

And Chevras will withstand the corner pressure, but still it's been Mount Arat.

The Eagles have been on the attack.

See the hamburger lumber scoreboard.

Time's tied in, so it's accurate.

This will be Cameron Chase with it.

Chase, nice pass, let it through, tipped inside.

And chest over line is going to be another corner.

- Coach Chase has got to be happy with this stat, Rob.

This entirely different than the start of the Scott Ian game last week.

She's putting the pressure on doing exactly what she wants to do out of this particular game.

- Robertson goal for the Sags really hasn't been tested, but the territorial play has been advantage Mount Arap.

Third corner.

Cohen on the insertion comes in, up high.

Thrown in front, the spin and won't go and Chevra's back on the defensive, but they've withstood it so far.

Well, I don't think there was any surprise by either team that this was going to be a highly competitive game.

And once you get offense establish mode that's paramount, isn't it?

- Oh.

- Get in the zone, get established.

- Absolutely.

I mean, at the very least, it calms the nerves a little bit when you've got the offensive offensive push going your way.

So, and Mount Arat needed that being the first time here in, as you said, 53 years.

So to have that push initially is, is huge for them.

But don't count out Chevras and here they go.

When they get down to this end, they've got a push and they're very, very tenacious anywhere near the circle.

- Yeah, we haven't seen Sidney Dunnell get many touches yet because they've been on the defensive.

Turned here, LeClair.

Near side.

Brooke Burnell on the defense, but it's going to go over here to Stella McBrady.

McBrady gets the ball back.

McBrady got three defenders on her, but she's third to run through.

They almost connected with Lafrance again.

And there's an interception by the Stags.

They look to get over midfield.

They do.

Coming down the near side, that was Brooke Brunel.

She got dispossessed.

Eagles.

- As we've said before, Rob, too, in a game like this, very often it's who controls the midfield?

And we've got two of the best in the state in the midfield with Sydney Brunel and Cameron Chase.

So that's going to be a battle all game long.

- Staggs are put in play at about the 20 yard line on that football field.

Try to come here near side.

Taken wide, smartly.

Now up the near side and turns over here to the Stags.

Ariel knocked down, but fought for control and now back past here, set back up for the Eagles.

Staggs look to put it in play here quickly.

Got to find a ball.

Brooke Brunel.

Stags are going to get on the offensive if they can, but here's that good defense by the Mount Arad Eagles.

There was Chase again in the midfield.

As you said, two premier midfielders.

Chase for the Eagles and Brunell, Sydney Brunel for the Stags.

And this is Brunel down into the offensive zone turns, reverse stick in front.

Scoring opportunity there, and that's going to be a corner as it went off.

Sarah Middleton's legs in first corner of the game for the Stags.

- As we said, one of the highlights for Chevers off season long is that tenacious is inside the circle.

They are they're a team that loads the circle and they don't allow the ball to get outside.

So it's, it's very, very difficult.

- What will they be looking here for on the insertion coach?

- I would think one of the two Brunels or Ava Martin.

Ava Martin's another big scorer for them.

- Well, they will thread it over to Brooke Brunel and she tries to get it through Daz.

And we'll redo the corner.

Mary McCartney going to hand it off.

- Sometimes you take a look at these corners too, Rob, as a coach, and you're sitting on the sidelines saying, "Just shoot the ball.

Just shoot the ball."

What the offense is looking for is how quickly and how far out the defense is coming on there.

Can they get the shot off or do they need the extra, the extra pass?

- Little hard to handle there.

Brunell got it back, Devante, and the Eagles will withstand back to back corners.

And now they're on the attack.

They can fly Mo, you said that there.

That Eagle's nickname is well given to this team because these kids fly.

- And one of the things they do real well, Rob, is they use the whole field.

They spread the defense out and they overwork the defense.

So you'll see them come out of the defensive end, use the sideline, spread the feel out, that way that gives them more openings for the passes to come inside.

So they play that passing game very well.

You see a series of triangular passes all over the field for, for Monarch.

- Laid back.

Them change field.

Kipped in.

Eagles are there.

Chase fighting for it and she wins a battle.

I'm sorry, that was Grafam.

Grapham.That one got away from her and turns over the, well, to be Eagles still.

McBrady down the near side, connects smartly with Lidback.

Lidback's in.

Fast moving first quarter, four minutes left.

Ariel.

Dipped ahead.

Played back by the Eagles.

- Nice tip.

- Lidback, south pass there, tried to get through traffic.

Couldn't do it.

Staggs looking to change field.

They'll connect far side.

McCotney, past her defender.

Mary McCotney, still with it, looking to spin.

She does, throws it in front.

- Ooh, nice pass.

- Comes in and just reverse up and over.

That was a great scoring opportunity there for the Stags.

- Great ball coming into the circle.

Needed it right there at the penalty stroke line.

She put that ball right on the stick.

Nice little lift, just a little bit high.

- That Radford.

She knows I got it just a little too high.

I think Radford had a goal in the championship game last year, if I remember correctly.

LaFrance kind of missed connections on that for the Eagles and Eagles would get it.

Dangerous there.

Mick Brady threaded through.

Staggs are back to the defend.

They want to get it wide.

They almost put her on the sticker lid back.

So the Eagles lid back.

Back to Mick Brady.

McBrady couldn't get her through.

Some good defense there by Brooke Brunell.

Brady will put it back and Brunell will get the stick on it.

Played back.

Middleton.

Staggs will put it in play.

Nice deep.

Reversed out of there.

Saw the premier stick work of Sydney Brunell there, Coach McNally.

She can really handle that stick.

- Well, I was just thinking as I was watching Rob, these, these... Ooh, nice save.

- Heck saving of beauty that time.

That was Bergman had to come up equal.

That was a sliding save on somewhat wet turf.

Well, the turfs aren't really playing a factor in this.

The field has played beautifully so far.

- Yeah, you're right.

Yeah, you're right.

- Right here.

This is a beautiful kick save.

- We've got, as I started to say, we've got highly skilled players in this ballgame.

Both, both goalies are highly skilled as are the field players.

We'll see excellent stick work as this game continues.

- Plays on the insertion.

Handled well.

Shots, and that's going to be... I think of an off Chevrus, so it's going to be... - It's a little dangerous coming up inside.

- Dangerous.

Yeah.

Watch it right here.

- Yeah.

- So Corner's about evened out now.

Sharon Glant doing our stats for us here in Maine Public Sports.

Quinn Bird down on the field.

We'll hear from Quinn as well.

The Eagles.

I couldn't get through by Chase.

Chase does get on the defense.

Now Weather, comes up, spins.

Brooke Brunel through.

It went off of the Eagles.

- Little momentum change in the last few minutes.

Sherris has picked it up some.

- Brunell went on the back pass.

That was Ava Martin with the shot for the stags.

And that's going to do it.

Did we get a corner called?

Wait a minute.

We're going to stay right with it here as time has expired, but the corner was called before, so we will play an untimed corner coaching.

- Yes, we will.

We'll play this out.

- And once the Eagles clear the zone... - Right.

Clear the zone, offensive and defensive foul, poor goal and it's over.

- So now we can go to our break.

So we'll take a break.

We're back.

No score after one here from Edward Little High School.

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Thank you.

Seeing some of the fans here, they're all decked out in their rain gear.

And it is beginning to rain.

They said it would begin raining at about a little after 11.

They're right on that.

I've got this little person in my phone Coach McNeil that tells me when it's going to rain.

My right knee does the same thing.

- Yeah.

I've got both knees telling me the same thing.

I hear you.

- Good first quarter, what are your thoughts here, Coach?

- Well, as we said initially, we said it was going to be even.

There's no question about that.

We took a lot.

Corners were three and three.

Four and three.

We forgot the last one.

And then we had shots with one and one wide shots of one and one.

So one and Chers had one.

Monara had none.

So it's, it's as even as we said it was going to be.

- Well, if you look at the timing of chances early on, Monarch came out flying as the Eagles would.

They dominated the first half of the quarter, then the Stags withheld that and they went on the offensive.

Good look at Robertson Gold for the Stags.

Opportunity here for Kelly LeClair plays it back.

This is Mick Brady.

She's had a lot of stick time today so far.

Here's that midfield defense, Mo that you've talked a lot about there for the Eagles turning it back into offense.

- That's that's true.

When they get going, that midfield is one of the best in the state, no question about it.

They let very little go through the great stick work once they receive the ball and they've got a great starting offensive pass.

- Mary McCartney got it flicked off her stick I believe in, let's see.

- You see how quickly they got down into the circle.

It started from the midfield back here at the 50.

And it was two passes in there in the circle, Rob.

So it's a very dynamic team.

- Eagles intercepted, but the Stags back with it.

They're going to get it into the circle.

Can they know, good step up defense.

And McGrathin, one of the Stalwart backs came up, made the play.

Well you see the benefit of turf.

That ball wasn't happening 20 years ago.

- There's no question.

No question.

- Grady dispossessive pair number one's going after it.

Bunnell won the battle, Brooke Vannell.

And she'll put in play here.

Brooke the sophomore, Sydney the senior.

- Shows us how tough these two defenses are too.

We've got shots on goal total.

Totals aren't very high for the first quarter so these defenses are playing tough inside the circle.

- Well there was an opportunity for Chevrus.

Beautiful stick work coming down in reverse and picked out a mid-air.

The Eagles will clear it out.

Well two high scoring teams.

They're also very good defensive teams.

So when you take a look at championship play, oftentimes the defense gets a little bit, I wouldn't want to say ignored, but overlooked a little bit.

But these are two stalwart defensive teams.

They don't make many mistakes in their own end.

- Oh, no question about it.

And we knew these games when you get to this level are going to be one, probably one or two goal games to begin with.

It separates the two teams.

But inside the circle is hugely important.

Right across the line.

- Jess went across the face of goal off the tap.

- Wow.

I think both of these teams are marking up tightly too inside the circles.

Take a look at the alignment right now.

All of the offense for Chevrolet is covered.

The goalie's got one and the back's got the other two and that happens at both ends.

- Chevrous starting to turn on the offense, getting the better of the opportunities here so far.

Brunell will put it in play.

Fancy Stickwork trying to get it through.

Too many sticks in the way, good stick work that time.

By the Eagles.

- Just a fun fact to, I talked to Coach Santi before and Sidney Brunel is Ms.

Main finals.

Miss Mayfield like a finalist and she'll be attending Bucknell next year, but not for field hockey, for lacrosse.

- Well she's a great multi-sport athlete.

- No question.

And to go along with that, Ava Martin is committed to assumption for field hockey, but two very good players that have long histories at Chevers.

- Play at midfield.

Stella McBrady, threads won through, but there's that defense by Brunel.

Brunell on the attack.

Sydney Brunel on a self pass.

She's harassed pretty well by Sarah Middleton, but Staggs who had the advantage here with the ball getting a good look at Sydney on this main field hockey finalist.

She'll get it to her sister, Brooke.

Brooke can't get through.

Good step up defense that time.

And back at you.

Ava Martin.

Martin looking to thread it through and just off her stick and past the goal line.

Staggs.

Brunell.

Going to go for the tip in was Jaylee Radford but too steep of an angle there, couldn't get it home.

- Yeah, she had the right angle, right though, getting it straight across the penalty stroke line.

It looked like it came up off that wet grass a little bit oddly.

But it was the right idea.

Come in on the right, send it over to the penalty stroke line and then hopefully you've got somebody there to tip it.

- Right down on the near side.

Jaylee Radford looking for Brooke Brunel.

Brunell's going to run it down.

She's got it.

Into the center, reverse there.

Kick out save.

Bergman came out, got the right pad on it.

That's twice we've seen her make Stella kick out saves.

Staggs starting to exert offensive influence.

And that won't count, that's after the whistle.

That'll be a corner.

8:52.

- These corners, as time ticks by to run, these corners are going to become more and more important to get that initial shot off.

A corner with no shot obviously doesn't do any good.

So the idea is to get at least initial shot off and then pick up a rebound if you can.

- We'll see if they want to get it back out.

They do to Brunell.

The pass deflected up high, high stick, but we, we'll play on.

- She was unmarked in that corner too until somebody flipped over there.

So that was dangerous to start with.

- Brunell take it back.

Spins.

She's got it here.

- Every coach's nightmare here, Rob, multiple corners.

- All stags so far here in the second.

Gracie Copper on the insert.

You see Brunell there, Carper.

Threads went through.

Brooke Brunell, Brooke, tease it up.

It's in.

Bregman down.

And that's the goal it - Is.

- Kept in.

Bergman came way out, left the goal open and behind Mo.

- Yeah, she came out.

You see her coming out here.

There was initial, got a, just a piece of it off her pad, but went directly into that corner of the goal.

- It's Avery Tinker for the Stags.

Oh, Bergman came out and you could see she slipped just a little bit.

I don't think it was field.

I think she just got off her balance a little bit.

- I think you're absolutely right.

I think she came down, came out, got that first one, but just came off the pad at an angle and went in.

- So as you said, the bane of every coach is multiple corners and that time finally getting through were the Stags.

So tinker with the goal.

She's a freshman.

Got to be a thrill of a lifetime for her.

State championship game gets the first goal of the game.

Well, here the Eagles on the counter attack.

And the Eagles are no strangers to being behind on the scoreboard Moe as they face that in the Northern regional game down 2-0 before they storm back with three straight goals.

So an early goal like this won't affect them.

They'll continue to play their game and look at it.

They've already changed it up and they will go into have a corner situation.

- Oh, they've, they've done this a couple times this season that I've seen Robin.

I've seen a couple of their games.

No stranger to this kind of a situation, especially against tough teams like Scow Hegan.

They came back and scored in the third and fourth quarter to win that.

- Here comes the insertion by Cohen.

It's unclean.

McBrady defended and cleared.

Smartly out by the Stags.

Shelby Clark down the near side.

Clark all the way on a run.

Looking to reverse no, now she comes back, puts it in front.

Tanker again.

She almost got her second goal.

Well, that was a great individual epid by Shelby Clark and she's a freshman as well.

So the freshmen stepping up here for the Stags.

Tinker's got the goal.

- It's certainly not playing like freshman, that's for sure.

- That'll be Eagle's ball.

- We can safely say that Chevers has found their footing.

They're putting the pressure on from between the 25s, which ends up being shots or corners in their offensive end.

- Well, when you've had a run like Chevers has 73 unbeaten games, 34 straight wins.

You just expect to come into every game that you step on the field and say it doesn't matter what happens early.

We usually win and they do.

73 straight unbeaten games.

They had a 2-2 tie in that straight, but 34 of those are unbeaten wins.

- Right, - Right.

And talking to Coach Visante before, she said one of the keys to success for her particular team this year was the commitment to get the little things right, which I thought was profound.

The commitment to get the little things right so they don't make big mistakes.

There's no mistakes going to be made by... Or Mount Erata in this particular game.

And they're going to take a hold.

Their senior leadership's going to go through the, you know, Sidney Brunel, Ava Martin are going to lead this team and they're not going to let them back off.

So I think what you've got is a tournament attitude.

- Here comes Brunel.

Brooke Brunel weaves through traffic, looking for the cross.

Doesn't come across.

How many got a stick on that?

- I think it was a goalie, Rob.

- Well, we'll see in the replay.

They had somebody in behind as well.

Grafam was in behind.

We'll see who gets the stick on it.

I think it's Grafam.

- I think you're right.

I think you're right.

- Yeah, Grafam, what a great play.

Save the goal.

Quite clearly saved the goal.

- Oh, no question.

- Put an asterisk on that move right there if the Eagles are able to get the equalizer.

- Huh.

We got a green card.

Naughty chair, but I'm not sure why.

- Well, we'll see if the Eagles can pounce on this opportunity.

Quick restart.

Trying to turn the play is Lafrance and... Number one, you're going to - Go.

- Somebody's going off.

- It's another Shevers player.

- It's Brooke Brunell.

Could hear it quite clearly with the audio we have down on the field.

Number one, you're going to go.

- I don't know if that stick interference.

I'm not really sure from here, but it looks like - - So it looks like both Brunelles are over in the naughty corner.

- Not somewhere they want to be, that's for sure.

- Well, here's an advantage.

- Wow.

- So we'll the Stags try to play a little possession here and run some clock.

They can't.

They'll turn it over here and excellent opportunity here.

- Right.

In this end, I would assume that Chevers would try to keep the... Once they get the ball, get it out of there.

- Oh, that just went wide.

- They'll try to get it out of their end and go wide and cut some of the clock down to get the Brunels back on the field.

- Well, watch this one.

This is just going to go... McBrady throws it through.

Oh, just missed the corner.

Roberts came out.

- Can tell by her reaction that she knew it was close.

- Yeah.

She put the hands up.

And I think we're getting a time out.

- Yes, we are.

- Time out.

- Chevers wants to take a time out, regroup down too.

- I think that's a good idea.

When you take two players out that are in the midfield area, you've got to move your players around and make sure to cover those areas.

- Well, here's an opportunity for the Eagles, but that was a great save inside.

Emma Grafam with the save on the shot that went by Bergman.

She got a stick on it, knocked it wider.

We're looking at a two-nothing game seeing some of the crowd in here.

Across the way, we want to let you know whether you missed the live action or want to re-watch every championship moment, Maine Public.

Television has you covered.

Catch complete replays of all three state final matches tomorrow beginning at 6:00 AM.

I won't be up for that.

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But but you can.

We're going to play them all tomorrow.

That's going to be fantastic.

Yeah, get your coffee and up to go.

See the rain picking up here a little bit as they said it would.

Hasn't really been a factor.

And thankfully for the games that were played last night around the state in football, soccer going on today, and field hockey today the temperature, this is not a cold rain.

It's it's okay.

And the Chevr Stag says I can handle it all right.

Probably the warmest person here, right, with that headgear on.

- Yeah, and if we... If you alluded to, Rob, 10 years ago, we wouldn't be playing this game.

It'd been postponed because we were all on grass.

There's nowhere else to play.

- And you'd be looking around for a field that was okay.

- Well, we certainly would have.

- Yeah.

You know, and there were a few turf fields 10 years or so ago, and that's kind of the evolution of, of what the, the championship days have come to with field hockey and soccer.

And football last night, perfect example.

Leavitt High School moved there, game from grass at Leavitt over to Lewiston High School, just across the bridge here.

And they played the Gardner Tigers on the turf field because of last night's rain.

That was a good call because it did rain.

- Oh, it looked.

I watched part of it.

It was pouring, you're right.

Just a shout out to Krista Chase, the coach at Mount Airwrap.

She's been 25 years coaching, but she had her 200th win this year, Rob.

- Oh, congratulations, coach.

- She's the daughter of a state championship.

Her mom coached the state championship at Coney in 1995.

- And kudos to you and Christopher starting the drive out cancer challenge game.

She's brought that down to the Eagles.

They do that down at Mount Arat as well as Coney Gardner does it up just a little north of here.

That's a great thing that Coach McNally and Coach Chase started back in the day.

- You know, I, I was hoping that we had a chance to just talk about that for a second.

Because that Coach Chase in talking to her said that's, I think one of her proudest moments.

She's, she's had proud moments of kids and teams and successes, but certainly that... She called me, I think it was 16, 18 years ago to start that.

I think one of the major, one of the major things that happened was it gives the kids a different perspective.

There's something bigger and better than, than playing a game.

And up to this point at her drive out cancer tournament games at Mount Arat have raised over $137,000.

- Both players, both Brunell's back for the Stag, so they withstood that challenge and they're on the attack.

Here they come.

- Right through legs robbed through.

- Shoot.

Sydney Brunell with the coast to coast just back on the field.

Osuna said the Brunelles are back and she's back all right.

And that looks like it may have tipped off Bergman.

- I don't think Sydney liked it over on the naughty chains.

- Oh, she came off well rested and she put a run on like she can do.

Unassisted goal.

That's not the first time that's been said.

- Oh no, we're talking about superior stick skills.

So when she came down through there, she came right down the penalty stroke line and put it on pads and it looked like it went right between the goalie's pads.

- Well, we'll take a look at the replays of both goals here when we have some time at halftime.

But right now, the Eagles got to see if they in the minute and 22 seconds left can get this thing cut in half.

As we said, they're no stranger to having to come back as this was the exact situation that they faced in the regional final against the high powered Skowhegan Riverhawks.

- That's absolutely the case.

And there's no sa - there's no die in, in the Mount Arat team.

But at the same time, I, I've seen Shevra several times hold onto a lead.

They're not going to easily give it up either.

So it's going to be a battle against second half.

- We're under a minute.

And I think the strategy here for the Stags is let's play a little possession.

Let's run this down.

Let's not make a mistake and let's go in 2-nothing.

No hurry here.

- Exactly.

Exactly.

Stay up 2-0.

Take your time on the free hits.

Use the width of the field.

Use your dribbling skills to take the time off the clock.

Absolutely right.

- Under 20 seconds.

Bruno.

And just power one down the field.

Eagles trying to counter, but they're probably going to run short of a little time here as the Stags step in defensively and that'll just about run the first half out.

It'll be a 2-0 lead for the defending champion, the Chevra Staggs over the Mount Ararat Eagles.

So that's where we stand at the half.

Stag fans are happy with that.

They're cheering on their Stags thinking that they're in pretty good shape.

We've got a second half to play to see if that answers.

- From the state health.

- We will be back for halftime activities after this.

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- We're back here to Edward Little High School.

Rob Munsing, Mo McNally.

Windberg, down on the field for us and down on the field, you see the teams going out onto the field.

We're going to have these Sportsmanship Awards.

And when those take place, we'll throw it to the House PA for those announcements.

- In the NPA Student Advisory Committee, it's an honor to present the Sportsmanship Banner in field hockey.

This past season, athletic administrators, coaches, and players voted for a school most deserving of the sportsmanship banner.

Each school selected has displayed respect, fair play, honesty, and a love for the game.

This award is a reflection of a school's entire regular season.

In Class A North, we're pleased to recognize the Rams of Bangor, Bucksport, and John Bapst High Schools.

Representing them today, Avery Fulwood, Emory Higgins, Ava 14, Kaylee Folsom, Emma Locke, Emmy Enos, Viv Anaya, Claire Carlisle, Scarlet Guatto, Lillian Willett, Zoe McCrum, Alice Gibbert, Addie Welch, Abby Folsom, and Charlie Zi- Zizette.

The coaches, Leah McBriarty, Katie Hughes, Misty Fitzgerald, and Maddie Burns.

The ball runners, Clyde McBrierty, Harvey Tipton, and Ry Fitzgerald.

Congratulations to Bangor, Bucksport, John Baps High School's recipients of the sportsmanship for Class A, North.

Now we represent and recognize the recipients in Class B. That is the shipbuilders of Morse High School.

Here today to receive the award, Coach Wendy Miller Juna, along with players Captain Laura Kelly, Riley Herzog, Peyton Frohmiller, and Lola Herzog.

Let's hear it for the shipbuilders of Morse High School.

And last, we present a sportsmanship matter to the recipients of Class A South for field hockey, and that is the Eagles of Masabisic.

Receiving the award representing Masabisic, Addison Rogers, Lauren Arceneaux, Skyler Blair, and the coach, Leslie Mormons.

Let's hear it for the recipients from Class A South Masabisic.

Congratulations to all of our sportsmanship recipients.

- So we're back here up in the booth.

We're going to take a look at the halftime stats.

Thanks Sharon Gillin for doing that for us.

- If you take a look at, look at the stats, it shows exactly what happened after the first quarter.

Chevers came on, had eight shots on goal.

Mount Arat has yet to find the net itself had one wide shot and had a defensive save that is broad as you alluded to would have most certainly been the third goal.

Mon Arat goalie's got five saves.

Chevers has had two corners to one for Mount Arat.

So it's decidedly turned to the Chever Stags from the second quarter on up.

- Yeah, we saw that field tilt there.

Eagles came out flying.

Staggs withheld that, and then they eventually turned the field and picked up the two goals, both the first goal, Avery Tinker, the freshman on the board, that'll be a great memory for her in her very first state championship game because she's probably going to be here four times the way the Stags show up every single year.

And then we kind of had bookends, the do it all player, Sydney Brunel, the second goal of the game here for the Stags, and that's where we are at the half, two-nothing.

And as we alluded to, Eagles down two-nothing exactly this score against Skowhegan before they stormed back with three straight goals.

But it's going to be a tough battle here against a very veteran Stags team.

But we'll take a break.

We'll come back.

We'll have second half action here.

From Edward Little High School, you're watching the Maine Principals Association Field Hockey Championships on Maine Public Sports.

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- Here comes that second goal Sydney's bringing the ball, excellent stick work coming down through.

And as you saw, she took that shot a little high inside the circle and it had a little bounce to it.

So I think the goalie was looking for the ball to come in straight and it had a little bounce to it right right between her legs.

But again, gave us an excellent show of Sydney's stick work as she carried the ball almost 25 yards down before she took that shot.

- Well, she'd been in the as Coach McNally calls it the naughty corner there for a bit.

She had to go off and she got some fresh legs and she came out of there like a meteor down the field and did what she does, which is that transition game.

She... Oftentimes she's been able to pick that ball up at midfield during the course of her career and go coach right on, all the way in and and score goals.

So seen the shot from in behind, you see the little cloudy, gloomy day here, but that hasn't dampened the spirits of the crowd.

They're into this one.

And if we're looking for somebody from Mount Ara to get them back in the game Coach McNally, who should we look for?

- Well, I, I think the strength for their manipulation There's Cam and Chase.

I think she's if we kept a stat for interceptions, I bet hers would number very, very high.

And everything starts from her in the midfield.

She starts the passing game coming out of the midfield to the offensive end.

So look for Camden to take, try to take control of that midfield and start the offense from there.

- And here they try to start the offense and they continue through.

- I think that was Leo LaFrance.

I think we had talked about her early too, Rob.

There's a kid, the ice hockey player that really, really hasn't played a lot of field hockey, but boy, she knows that when it's in this end she needs to keep it here.

- Well, there's a shot on golden just wide, but it'll be a corner and yeah, you got to think that Coach Chase said, "Let's get after it ladies."

Right out of the gate.

- And I think in these corner situations now, you've got to take your, the first shot opportunity you've got, you've got to take.

Forget the passing game.

If you've got the opportunity to shoot that ball on the insertion, then get the ball off, get a shot on, and then play the rebound if you have to.

But you got to get that initial shot off.

- Krista Cone will insert.

See the Stags getting ready.

And clean.

Comes to chase.

Chase through.

Oh.

Shot at the corner, won't go.

They'll fight for it.

That was a good say by Roberts, not called upon early on in the first half.

But boy, she's had to come up big there and she came up big there.

And she's excited to see her jumping around a little bit.

Watch it right here from the goal.

- Sometimes those goalies don't see that kid.

They're blocked.

They don't see that kid down by the post, but she was down already and knew that there was a possible shot coming from that corner.

- Cohen, insert.

Chase throws her through the tip.

Five of the ball.

The Eagles.

- Wow.

- They come back.

Well, they missed the first opportunity on the near side.

It's going to come far side.

And as you often see, the inserter Cohen comes right to that post after the insertion and she's right there for the tap end.

- They were perfectly positioned, perfectly positioned.

And Lafrance picked that up, that little rebound coming off.

And as we said, we want to get that initial shot off, then play the rebound if you have to.

Perfectly done.

- Well, there's your answer.

You're going to see it on the replay from here behind.

It's going to come watch Cohen right there, just a little tap in.

- Perfectly placed.

- Well, that changed the complexion early and what it does, it gives that belief system that the Eagles have that if they're down a couple, it doesn't matter, right?

They get the early one mo.

It changes the mindset 100% now.

And we'll see what the counter is for the Stacks.

- This is important here too for the Eagles defense.

The Eagles defense right now, if they can hold a stand here for the next couple minutes and not give up a return goal, again, it's a confidence builder.

- Yeah.

They don't need a quick goal.

They just need to survive the counter attack that the Stags are going to launch right here as their fury is up a little bit.

And here's the one that can do it, Brunel, downshifts through.

Well, she's not only a finesse play, but you can see the strength that she has.

- Yes.

- She just goes north and south right through people.

- Yeah, she's got good quickness to begin with.

Good quickness with a stick, with a stick and a ball.

But you can tell she's athletic.

Some of the things she does are highly skilled for high school player.

- Well, mom and dad both terrific athletes.

Dad was a terrific multi-sport athlete at Coney High School.

And here come the Eagles on the fly.

Stepped in, play made, but the Eagles will try to turn it.

They can't, there's a clear.

Stags far aside for the open winger.

They'll swoop in here quickly and Tinker will drive it deflected wide.

Well, end to end action here.

- It's pretty quick right now.

- In the second half, there you're getting after it.

- And a key to this too is how quickly you take those free hits.

We see kids, teams of this caliber take those free hits as quick as they can.

It puts the defense on, on their heels to begin with.

So keep an eye on how quickly these kids take their free hits.

- Sydney Brunel, you see the work here.

Reverse.

The kick out save and left leg kick out save.

That was a beauty.

Bergman had to come across and scissor kick it.

Taking quickly.

End of the circle, scoring opportunity behind the pads.

Somebody want to play in behind the pads.

- Exactly.

- We'll have to see probably a replay to see that, who that was.

- That went right through her legs and you're right.

There was a back right behind her.

- I think it might have been La France.

I'm not sure.

Well, that's a couple of times defenders have stepped up big for the Eagles to prevent a goal where Bergman has come out.

- This is the ro - this is a frenetic pace.

- It is.

Insert.

Clean.

Good drive tipped.

Open side.

Bergman comes over there.

She's near post and kicked another one out.

Stayed in play.

Mary McCartney.

- You can see the pressure that Shevers is putting on right now and the Eagles are withstanding that, but there's a distinct disadvantage on these penalty corners when you take a look at numbers.

So for the four or five defensive players in that end to hold up, up without a goal is, is phenomenal at this point.

- Carpet insert.

Nice clean insertion.

Shot outside.

That's in behind in the safe here is going to be a scurry and there's going to be a - - Penalty stroke.

- Penalty stroke there.

Could see it clearly developing as Bergman came out again, defender in behind, and defender must have handled the ball.

Right there.

She's on it right there.

Yeah, she's on it right there.

- Once you cover it up and you can't play it, it becomes a penalty stroke.

- Well, Runell on the penalty stroke, staring down Bergman, gets the whistle.

Oh, they dodged that one just wide.

- Can we talk about a confidence builder at this point?

- Wow.

- You can deny a penalty stroke.

We've got a little bit of everything in this case.

Holy grinding, this is a great game.

- Shelby Clark.

- This is definitely what we expected when we first started.

We knew these two teams were going to come arm for bear and they're putting on a show, that's the Don show.

- Well, you had the, one of the, one of the premier scorers and Sydney Brunel with a penalty stroke.

She sent the Stags here with a penalty winner in their regional final game against Thornton Academy and Bergman stared her down.

Shot went wide.

- Every facet of the game we've seen today, we've goals ending, seen great passing, good offensive thrust, individual stick skills, everything we want to feel like a game we've seen today.

- Brunell threads it through.

Bergman way out.

She's not afraid to roam.

- No.

She'd give me a heart attack if I were coaching on the sideline and watch her come out that high.

- We'd have to put a GPS on her or something.

She is.

Well, as we like to say in the coaching business, I used to tell my teams this all the time, "Play with confidence or go home."

- It shows you the confidence in Eagle's defense when you got a goalie comes out that high and you got a back behind her.

She's got all confidence in the world in that back who's made a couple defensive saves today.

- Stags that midfield, threaded through the open side, this operating room down here, the left side from McCotney.

Mary looks to swing it back.

She does.

It's pretty well defended.

Some good defensive work there.

- Right.

- Kennedy Prout, the freshman.

What a good defensive play there.

- She played defense very patient.

You don't want to stick the stick in needlessly when she's coming down the sideline.

You just want to keep her out to the sideline.

Force her out.

We used to call it channeling the sideline.

Keep her out there so she doesn't have a, a clear entry pass.

She played that defensively very well.

- Several good freshmen in this game, even though both teams are veteran as well, but the freshman that's in behind, that's dangerous and just over the line.

- If you saw that, we got it stuck in her pads initially and then she had to pop it out.

- We saw Avery Tinker, the freshman, score the first goal of the game for the Chevr Staggs.

Here she is again, this is Tinker.

Well, Tinker's headed towards a great goal scoring career in her next several years here for the Stags.

- You would think so.

- There'll be another corner.

Bergman rallying up the troops there.

Jamie says, "Let's get it done again."

Copper with the insertion comes in.

Brunell, Brunell.

And that was up into the face.

That was dangerous there as Sarah Middleton stepped in, deflected it.

It came off her stick and up at her.

- Right.

- Copper getting set for junior and it goes.

Brunell has to take it back out.

She gets clear, drives it through and will corner up again.

- That's a prime example of the strength you were talking about, Rob.

That strength, the entry pass, that her pass coming out from the 20 in is strong and long and headed exactly where she wants it to go.

- Stop by Brunelle to Brunel, back to Brunell.

Then he couldn't get it off and... - Just lost control of it as she turned that turned on the ball there.

Had she kept control a little better than Shawn?

- Eagles will stem the tie there in a couple of consecutive corners for the Stags.

Under five here in the third.

2-1 game.

First two goals, Stags, they let it two nothing half.

Eagles stronged out to start the third.

And they're on the attack here.

End tight.

And let's see what the call's going to be.

It's going to come out.

- The defense was overplaying there.

She had three or four defensive plays.

If she'd have gotten that pass up just a hair sooner, I think there would have been some empty shots on the other side.

- She now deflected it up to herself.

Whistle.

Brooke Bruno.

And we've got one of the players from Mount Ara down, but we'll wait for a change of possession.

They'll see if she can get up on her own and now they will play on.

So she's okay.

We don't see it, but... Oh, now we do.

Mattie Sweet down on one knee.

- You hate to see that in any of these games.

- She's holding her right ankle area.

- Mattie's a goal, a goal score for Mount Arat too.

She's got 18 goals this season with 12 assists.

Not somebody who want to leave the game.

- Well, she's a tough kid.

See it right here, I think.

Ah, yeah.

Hit her right on that ankle there.

And you know Maddie's a tough kid.

I mean, in the regional finals, she took a massive collision with the Scouton goalkeeper, got the wind knocked out of her, but still managed to hold up in that second half rally.

So she's a tough kid.

Seeing the concern across with some of the fans.

She's helped off the field.

A lot of times those things, you know, will hit a nerve and really hurt for a bit of time and you can kind of walk it off in time.

Time will, you know, if it's not a, you know, a severe thing, if it's a bone type bruise, it'll hurt like crazy.

But sometimes once the blood flow gets back into it, you can come back in and play.

So we'll look we'll look for Maddie hopefully to get back in here.

- It looks like it just went... She hit it just right because there's only a little space underneath that shin, shin pad.

So got her just right it looks like.

- Chase.

Close it in.

Nice pass connected smartly there with Kidwell.

Kidwell trying to get loose, can't.

And Eagles will get it.

Abby Kidwell.

Across in the circle, down and out and making a great save was Roberts.

- Beautiful.

- She came out beautifully, timed it perfectly.

- Saw the angle of that, came down, knew the ball was standing on the ground.

Perfect play.

- Right down in front of our camera.

Eagles, Radford on the defense, didn't make the play and trying to figure out whose ball it is.

- Fans have got a distinct idea of whose ball it should be.

- Fans will help you.

They go through.

Our field microphones picking up every stick.

- Yes.

- It's awesome.

You know, reverse.

Slick work there.

The space.

On the fly, tinker.

Bradford, reverse.

Plays it back to Brunel, threaded through.

And they'll get a corner.

Perfect example.

Well, that was a nice counter attack by the Stags.

- Yes.

Perfect example of that triangular pass we were talking about.

It came from the inside of the outside, back to the inside again.

And, and because of that, you've got the defensive person turning circle.

So it was a great passing sequence.

- Yeah, you've seen some of it right here.

- Comes back to the inside.

She's going back to the middle.

So you see that triangle and you see the defense trying to, trying to defend it and it doesn't happen very easily.

- Yeah.

Kind of playing a little tick cacto out there.

Comes the insertion.

Clean.

Brunell.

Brunell.

Brunell.

The shot.

Send behind and somebody would have saved us.

Thick is up.

That's dangerous.

And what a play that was coming in behind Sarah Middleton.

I believe it's Middleton.

Let's watch it, Mo.

- Yeah, that went down.

Right.

That back came up.

Number 10 for Mount Airet, and then the ball went up in the air caused by which is why we... I thought it must have been a a defensive foul on the ground that I missed, but... - Cop her in.

Brunell.

I went off of Stag, so it'd be Eagles ball.

We're under a minute here.

Only one goal so far.

Will the Stags try to get an answer in the final 30?

They've got an opportunity.

Trying to throw it in.

They know how quickly they got to go.

Tinker missed it and the Eagles likely, if they play this smartly, can survive this in the final 20 seconds.

And they'll just play to space.

- Right.

- Run the clock down here.

But they intercept.

They may have an opportunity.

Got to go quickly.

10 seconds left.

They were down with LaFrance, but the time is going to run out and LaFrance is down.

Looks like she took one up high and she'll need the break between periods I think here to... They've stopped the clock with 2.7 left.

- I think there's a card coming.

Yeah.

I think LaFrance just picked up a green card, so she's off to the naughty chair.

Got a little physical there towards the end.

- Yep.

- Towards the end of that run.

- So the clock starts and stops because it's the end of the third.

Well, we've got ourselves a beauty heading into the fourth, a one goal game.

We'll have it for you when we come back on Maine Public Sports.

You're watching Field Hockey Championship Weekend on Maine Public Sports.

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- Take a look at this behind the goal.

What a great camera, camera work here, but you see the goalie moving, you see the ball coming through?

LaFrance picked it up there and went to the opposite corner, which was unmarked and we had a great slip in just inside that goal.

Great picture.

Great camera work.

- Mr.

Cohen, she did the insertion, went right to that near post where she inserted from and said, "Feed me."

- Yeah, exactly.

And that in itself is a skill.

I mean, it's... It's a lot of hand-eye coordination because that ball comes across there pretty quickly.

So you've got to have the right person in that in that position.

It was difficult to find him sometimes.

- I want to thank all our production folks.

Battling the elements a little bit.

Bring you these great pictures and sounds.

The sounds are the thing, huh?

The sounds.

The stick sounds.

The goal sounds.

- We're hearing it all, that's for sure.

We heard the officials call a couple calls down to that end.

- No falls.

Start here.

- This is where we knew we were going to be, Rob.

It's two to one.

It's one goal ball game.

Both teams have come out playing top.

We knew this was going to be this type of a ball game.

- Bruno.

Oh.

Oh, that unfortunate.

That stick came up dangerous and what are the repercussions here of this?

- Well, there's no... There's no intent there.

I mean, it's the... Montaira is going to get the ball back.

If the official for a second though there was intent, then there could be a red car, but there's no intent there just playing the ball.

Miss hit it, the ball come... Stick comes up a little high.

Miss the ball as you see the ball continue to travel straight.

So she just missed the ball.

- And that's Cam Chase.

Fine midfielder.

- Oh, she's got blood on her hand, so she's got a cut going.

So she's got to come off anyway and take care of the cut.

- Well... - But again, I want to emphasize there's no intent there at all.

- No.

No.

- It's just to misplay the ball.

- Yeah, fully unintentional, just part of the in play that happens.

Now there was a time when the kids were wearing the eye protection back several years ago.

Was that mandated or was it what... Tell, tell us about that - - Yes.

I can't remember the year, Rob, but there was a mandate that came down from actually from the state.

It started with the sports medicine committee that influenced the state organization to wear the wear the goggles.

But over the years, the... It was tough to see, you know, tough on a day like today.

- Yeah.

- To see very little peripheral vision.

The coaches didn't like it.

The kids the kids grew accustomed to it, so it wasn't too bad.

But they've since said you can wear them if you'd like to, but you don't have to.

- Yeah.

- And I, to be perfectly honest, all the games I've seen this year, I don't think I've... I've seen one, I think one or two kids wearing the goggles.

- No fans reacting.

The cam chase.

She may need some work.

I'm trying to see if she's among the present or going off.

Yeah, she's going off.

Thanks, Nick, for showing us that.

Yeah.

Full, fully staffed medical staff here provided by the main principals association for the safety of the student athletes, and she'll be in good hands over there with the medical.

So Eagles will get the ball and they will put it back and play with... 1439 on your clock.

That's in regulation.

- Right.

It's a tough loss, even in for the middle of the field.

Cam, as we said before, has, has, has taken control of the midfield from.

So they're going to have to have somebody step up.

- So what are the ramifications here?

What do they have to have the blood stop before she can come back in to play, if that's the case?

- I would imagine.

- Yeah.

- I can't... There look like there was a bit of blood on her hand, so I wouldn't be surprised she needs stitches.

But they've got to get wrapped and get the blood start for the Eliquis back on the field.

- This is Brooke Burnell.

She's down.

She's in.

Brooke Burnell reverse goes and just goes wide.

What an effort.

The sophomore, Brooke Burnell.

- Good example of, of her stick work coming down through just lost - - I'm sorry, that's Tink.

No, that's Brinell.

I'm sorry.

- Right here.

She just lost the ball off her stick a little bit, but prior to that, she was well on her way.

- That one looked a little like a seven.

Must have my eyes crossed at the time.

We want to thank our fine crew for the outstanding camera work, providing the great pictures along with the great sound here to bring you right to Edward Little High School.

Glad you're with us.

Maine public sports.

Second year we've done field hockey.

Did the lobster bowl last year.

I'm fortunate enough to be involved in all those, and of course we've been doing basketball since James Naismith invented the game.

Tipped away.

And one of those mainstays of our longtime basketball coverage, Dave Chivo will be in the call game three.

Dave a long time field hockey official.

- Right, that's right.

- As well as one of the premier broadcasters of his generation here in the state of Maine.

- Little tip of the hat to our favorite Nick Godfrey too, huh?

- Yes, the captain.

- He does a great job and I know he's been running all over this field this morning trying to get things checked and taken care of, so got to love Nick.

- Yeah, Quinn Byrd down on the field first.

Quinn will have some post-game thoughts and pre-game thoughts for our B game, but boy, we got an exciting 12 minutes here to still the play.

Brunel spins out of traffic.

You can see - She's spreading the defense looking for opening.

- Brady's trying to chase her down, but can't.

The ball comes in to kick out.

That was a beautiful kick save.

- And right to one of her own players to clear that out for, for the outlet.

So great sequence of, defensive sequence for Monara.

- Quick start, but might be illegal.

- Well, sometimes that quick start, you don't have the ball in the right place.

So if the ball's got to be five yards back, they're not going to let you sneak in and take it easily.

The officials.

- Find directional save on the kick outside move.

Back deep, chase down.

Ali Le Claire, trying to get it in front.

Almost connected with the France with the Stags.

Tip tap out.

- Tough to come from that side too.

If you're on the left side, the stick's always wrong, so it's tough to get a shot off from the left.

They're better off coming in from the right if they possibly can.

- Tidwell couldn't get it through, but now it comes through.

Staggs there defensively, couldn't clear with the space.

And Grunell might have got a little extracurricular activity, but no, go play.

Ball went deep chased down.

It's going to be Eagle's ball.

We will keep an eye across the way and see if Cameron Chase can get back into action.

She's the superlative midfielder.

- Looks like they moved Tidwell in her position.

She's holding her own in the midfield, so it's... - Tidwell there.

Threaded through in the circle.

Stags take it wide.

And they've got to run up here the nearest side.

Ava Martin.

Martin to the middle.

Brooke Brunell now.

Brunnell self pass.

She flies.

Brunnell got an attack.

Left side, the shot just wide.

Opportunity, Shelby Clark.

You want to see it here.

This was set up with a good rush.

- Right.

Nice entry pass.

And it looks like looks like Bergman came, came out and went down just a little early.

I think it's the right idea to rush that, cut off the shot, but if you go down early, too early, they're going to lift it up over you.

- Ooh, that came up and hit her on the hand.

Nice reverse.

Through traffic.

Popper stood up defensively for the Stags.

Liz hit the space.

Hipped ahead.

- Looks like the rain's picked up a little bit here, Rob, too.

- It does.

You know, Sydney tried to weave through traffic, but Brady stepped up, but Staggs ball.

The restart.

Infraction called.

On the restart, so it'd be Eagle's ball.

Cohen will come over to pick it up.

Krista Cohen's got the goal.

Emma Graffin now.

Emma tried to go stick to stick, but Staggs stepped up defensively.

Made a good play on that.

Basio made a great play, stepped in.

Played back.

Ow, ow.

Kennedy Prout, trying to get it ahead for the Eagles.

Up Brunel will pick it up.

Brooke Brunell.

Reverse.

Defense pretty well there by Cohen then.

Sydney Bunnell, I mean Brooke Bunnell says, "Let's go."

- I think one of the things that has to happen is we've, we've heard the Brunel game, the Brunel name all game here.

We've got to play them a little tighter so they don't have as much stick time with the ball because it seems like just about every offensive spurt is starting with them.

If we had somebody on them a little tighter maybe, they wouldn't have as much stick time.

- Popper inserts again, another good one.

Brooke Bunnell shoots, oh, that's reflected up and out.

That's in the parking lot.

Good defense there.

Gonna see it and watch this one take off.

Oh, was that Tinker?

I can't, sometimes I can't tell the one from the side.

No, it was Burnell.

Tinker was inside.

What's this called?

Timeout?

- No, I'm not sure.

Oh yeah, it is time out.

- You can see the rain picking up as we look at... One of our former students, Mary Beth down there officiating.

- Right, right.

Gardener girl.

- Coach McNally and I, longtime coaches at Garden Area High School.

Teachers as well when we had time.

- Yeah, Lori Beth, who's officiating this game, was one of my top goalies.

Was a goalkeeper for me for three years at Gardener.

- I would think goalkeepers make good officials because they, they usually back there observing and taking in the complete scope of the game and all.

- Right.

And you know, as we've said a ton of times with any athlete, there's no substitute for intelligence and she was, she was an epitome of a game strategist.

Knew the game, could control her players from back there, knew exactly what was going on.

So she's quite an athlete.

- And you see the officials with the headsets on.

What, what are some of the things that they're doing with those headsets back and forth?

What are they conferring about?

- They could at any time confer on it.

And this happened in one of the games I saw at Meselanski.

The official behind told the official that was in the corner that, in the circle that the corner wasn't what she thought it was.

So they could confer on goals to make sure they've got it.

They could confer on quarters that are awarded.

They could change you could see them every once in a while change calls because they didn't see it quite right because you get blinded back there by people standing in front of you.

So they communicate all the time on corners and goals and plays such as those.

- Well, time out at 7:04 left.

- It's a good time out too.

Krista, get the kids over there, settle them down a little bit.

Still plenty of time.

I think they're playing without one of the kids that they've counted on, Camden.

So it's, it's a tough one.

I think it's a good time out for them.

- Yeah.

And if Cameron's receiving some medical attention that might get her back in the game, a timeout is good right there and looks like she's got a cut over her left eye according to Sharon Galant's note.

- Right.

Doesn't look like she's coming back in, which is a big loss from.

- Knocked out of the way deep.

Stella McBrady trying to get the out.

Chevers presses the attack.

They position it.

Going wide and now a chance for the Eagles.

Good defense there in the mid range.

Back to Brunel.

Brooke.

Seeing her looking to clear it in front.

She sell passes.

She's got a chance for a cross.

She throws it in near side.

Spar side and no goal.

I don't believe.

I think it was off her foot.

- Correct.

- Saw that clearly on the replay.

Brooke goes so close.

So close.

- Oh, nice tip.

- Then the Eagles on the attack to space.

Our side a run.

Can they get it in front?

No.

And off them it'll come out.

Chevers withstands that.

Every tick of the clock important now.

Ava Martin.

- Huge characteristic of Monteras, how quickly you can get out of the defensive end and transition in the offensive end.

But at the same time, they had numbers up until about the 30, 30 yard line there and Sheverson had come back very quickly.

So the defensive transition was just as quick.

- Sarah Middleton with defense there by the Stags and they'll control.

The aerial by Brunel, Brooke launches it down, going ahead.

That was tipped by Shelby Clark.

Brunell again.

Brooke gets hip checked.

Not legal.

- No.

- And McGrathin.

Watch it right here.

- Just a little bit behind the play.

That's a smart skill by Brunel to take it to that side, knowing that she's a step ahead of that defensive player and then you instigate basically the, the the call for physical play there because she's just a little bit behind.

- Ava Martin to put it in play in a good position right here.

She's going to drive it trying to get it in the circle.

She does.

Reverse stick.

Bergman out again and Eagles all fought that opportunity as it was tinker inside and get the first gold as the freshman.

Avery Tinker.

Well, Chevers wants to play a possession game if they can now.

- Absolutely.

I was just going to say the tide turns a little bit from on air right now.

The game takes you out of your game play now because you've got to get the ball into the circle as quickly as you can.

- It's in the circle, but the wrong one to the Eagles.

They will get to play it out.

Cohen, who's got the goal, who now reverse Eagles.

- These 16 yarders coming out have got to, you got to make sure of those two.

They've got to get through.

So it's got to be a short drive or short pass.

- We're going to send it to space on the far side.

Now up the middle, connected smartly there with Mattie Sweet.

Sweet trying to get it to Le Clair will come back.

So do the Eagles have Plummer off right now it looks like or she's come in the game.

Eagles, the space, they've got a connection.

Just off the stick there, not able to control was LaFrance.

Eagles now.

Defense holding up here for the Stags.

They can't clear it out.

Taken wide, that's McBrady.

She'll put it back in play.

So Abby Tidwell have to limp off the field.

I don't know if you saw that - - No, I missed that one.

- Yeah.

So there's another premier player down for the Eagles.

They're going to pump from the comeback.

Well, the Eagles came back in the regional final down 2-0.

They were down 2-0 here.

They closed it to two to one.

Can they get the equalizer?

Stags.

- As you alluded to, we said this in the beginning, they're a never say, never say die team.

So they're going to continue to push, push as quickly as they can.

- Brunel weave suit traffic.

Brunell reverse chops it and that was up and deflected.

That came up on Emma Grafan.

Watch it right here.

Not sure who stick that's off of.

Huh.

- A little different, but it did come off Brunel sticking up in the air and then the back deflected up over her head.

So resulted in a corner whether we agree or disagree.

- Copper in the insert clean.

Back over.

Sydney Brunel, kick out save.

Ergman came over.

Nice right pad save.

- Nice shot by Chevers too.

She was unmarked on that side.

The back was behind the goalie and it was just, you could see a little sunlight in that left corner.

- Here's a chance for the Eagles.

They take it quickly, but it deflected.

Looked like that was going to get a clear on it.

It wouldn't.

Sydney Brunel.

She's obstructed there.

Graph him again.

And Brunel having a little difficulty there.

- Right.

The time's ticking down.

So Chevers is going to take their time.

- Yeah, they just simply need to control play here for about 45 seconds.

Brunell will throw it across and that'll be an opportunity, but scant time left ticking down 34 seconds left.

You got to go the length of the field.

And the control is Chevrus and that - - Is outside the circle.

- Outside the circle.

Well, not a bad shot because you're hoping for maybe a deflection or tip in.

- Right.That's right.

That's right.

- And it takes time.

We're under 10 seconds, ball control.

And that will do it.

Well, we've had a heck of a finish here to this one.

Only one goal in the second half, but Chevrus will be the reigning state champions.

We said how hard it is to be the champion.

They just have that expectation that when we step on the field, we will prevail.

- No question.

From second quarter on they took control and we, we saw Sydney Brunel step up, Ava Martin step up.

And it's a tough battle.

It's a tough battle.

Monte Arat lost a key player late and they were just down two to one.

So it's tough to come out of that.

But what a great game.

Both teams showed well, represented their communities well.

It was just a great day, great game for both teams.

- Well, as we said in the open, meet the new boss.

Same as the old boss once again.

- That's right.

- The Chevra Staggs will be state champions.

- And if you take a look at their roster, as you pointed out, you've got youngsters coming up.

So they're well established for the next few years, no question.

- Well, they'll lose some fantastic seniors for sure, but they will restock as they do and tough for the Eagles.

They had a terrific season, best season in school history.

Their first state championship appearance in the 53 year history of the program.

Probably school, right?

- Absolutely.

- 53 is going back to when Monara had opened up and certainly they're to be congratulated on an outstanding season and they have put their program together in a fabulous way.

They have a very well established youth program and that's how you keep it going.

There was a great article just recently in the paper that I read last night when I came home after football about the youth leagues in the state of Maine in field hockey.

Field hockey here in the state of Maine in very good shape.

- Yeah, no question.

I, I think I talked to Krista.

I think they've got over 90 kids in their youth program.

And she's established and she's in control of it.

So she's established a great program K to 12 and she's got some great kids coming back.

So they're a, they're a force to be reckoned with.

And as I said, they had a tough route coming through.

They had to play Scout Heagan twice.

They beat Scout Heagan twice, which is unheard of once on their home field and then once in the Northern Finals.

So it's she's had, she's built that program and it's, it's a strength of strength of the North and Class A right now.

- Well, the Stags will stay gold.

See them across the way.

I can't imagine the elation that they feel, that whole Stag community.

Let's go to the public address announcer.

We'll get post-game activities.

- Lumber company, congratulations to both teams on reaching the Maine State A Field Hockey Championship.

Competing for a state title is an achievement few teams experience and today represents a season of dedications, perseverance, teamwork, and pride.

Regardless of the final score, both teams have earned their place among Maine's best and should be proud of the journey that brought them to this championship stage.

I direct your attention to midfield for the presentation of the State Championship Awards.

After the handshakes from both teams, I'll call the coaches forward first from Mount Airat, followed by Chevras.

At this time, I would call Mount Arat Head Coach Krista Chase, along with assistant coaches Annie Turnbull, Brett Chase, Julie Petrie, Danielle Hiltz, and Sandy Bickford to please come forward for the presentation of the Runner Up Awards.

We'll begin by grade, beginning with freshmen.

Number 14, Kennedy Prout.

Number 30, Adeline Moody.

Number 33, Leah LaFrance.

Number 40, Maddie Kinney.

Number 41, Elena Barnakow.

Sophomores, number three, Sammy Lidbeck.

Number five, Aisley Dyer.

Number 18, Maddie Graf.

Number 22, Journey Johnson.

Number 29, Claire Middleton.

Number 42, Kensley Allen.

Juniors.

Number one, Stella McBrady.

Number two, Callie LeClair.

Number six, Avery Elliot.

Number 10, Emma Grafam.

Number 12, Cameron Chase.

Number 16, Abby Tidwell.

Number 23, Joy Stewart.

Number 46, Jamie Bergman.

Seniors.

Number four, Sarah Middleton.

Number seven, Bella Plummer.

Number eight, Lily Lachance.

Number nine, Krista Cohen.

Number 15, Addison Chubbik.

Number 31, Maddie Sweet.

Managers, Mia Matson, Violet Paquette, and Maisie Rutledge.

At this time, I would ask the captains to please come forward.

On behalf of the Maine Principles Association and Hammond Lumber Company, we are proud to present this plaque as the runners up in the 2026 A Field Hockey State Championship.

Congratulations to the Eagles of Mount Arap.

And now, present the awards of your 2026 A Field Hockey State Champions.

I would ask Shever's head coach, Andrea Nusanti, Assistant Coaches Elizabeth Old Mixon, Maya Wares, Norris Slattery, and Amy Ashley to please come forward and assist with the presentation of awards.

First, the manager, Angie Valienti.

Freshman, number seven, Avery Tinker.

Number eight, Lila Hunter.

Number 11, Shelby Clark.

Number 14, Gwen Johanning.

Sophomores, number double zero, Bronwyn Roberts.

Number one, Brooke Brunel.

Number two, Ella Ferranti.

Number 10, Julia Blay.

Number 12, Elizabeth DiBiasio.

Number 16, Delaney Warner.

Juniors, number three, Jaylee Radford.

Number five, Liv Lundy.

Number 13, Olivia Johnson.

Number 19, Gracie Copper.

Seniors, number four, Mary McCartney.

Number six, Ava Martin.

And number nine, Sydney Brunel.

And now, I would ask Chevr's captains Sydney Brunell and Ava Martin to please come forward.

On behalf of the Maine Principals Association and Hammond Lumber Company, it's our pleasure to present this championship trophy for the 2026 MPAA Field Hockey State Championship to the Stags of Chevers High School.

Congratulations.

On behalf of the Maine Principles Association and Hammond Lumber Company and the Maine Bureau of Highway Safety, remember, in order to celebrate your achievements, you have to get home safely.

Once again, congratulations to the Class A runners up the Eagles of Mount Arat and your 2026 NPA Field Hockey State Champion, Stags of Chevers High School.

- Well, we'll take a break.

You see the Stags celebrating the obligatory post-championship picture.

The Stags win it again.

We'll take a break.

We'll be back after this.

- Championship weekend on Maine Public is made possible by... - Hammond Lumber Company, a family-owned, independent lumber and building material supplier with 34 locations across Maine and New Hampshire.

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Scowhegan Savings is dedicated to helping you with your personal and business banking needs, branch locations and more information at scowhegan.com.

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- And by viewers like you.

Thank you.

- Oh, let's go back down to the field to Quinn Bird.

She's got post-game comments.

Quinn.

Well, it looks like we're probably going to have to wait for Chevrolet to get their picture taken there and then Quinn can go in and wrestle somebody out.

We'll get some post-game reactions down on the field.

Nothing like that smile of a champion.

Coach McNally, you've been there.

Nothing like it.

- Oh, it's a, it's quite a feeling.

I mean, it's... Take a look at this season, as you know, Rob, it's, it's a long season.

You start in 90 degree weather in August and you finish in November the rain.

- Let's go down to Quinn.

- Coach, this is your fourth straight win for the Maine State Championship.

How does it feel?

- It feels great.

It just gets sweeter every time.

You know, we had to persevere through some challenges today.

Mount Airat's an amazing team.

So I'm just, I'm just super proud of them to pull out the win today.

- You guys felt some pressure in the first quarter from Mount Arat, but really pulled through on the second quarter.

What was the mentality going into the second half?

- Yeah, we had to play our game, you know?

Mount Arat came out hot.

They know how to fight, and so we had to reset ourselves and go back to playing our game and using our speed and really shoot to score.

- What do you want people to remember about this team specifically?

- I would love them to remember how much they love and care about each other and what great leadership that we had.

- Congrat- congrats, coach.

- Thank you.

- Back to you guys.

- Nothing like being Maine State champions, and it is the Stags in game one.

Well, we're one third of the way through the trifecta.

We've got another great game coming up.

It'll be the Class B State Championship game.

We will get set for that one as both teams will have a full warmup period here, and we'll be back for that one here a little around one o'clock on the start of game two.

Well, you see Brooke Purnell, one of the Dynamo sisters for the Stags and the Stags do what they do, remain champions.

- Absolutely.

Great game.

Great exhibition of field hockey for the state of Maine.

Couldn't be prouder.

- Well, for Quinn Byrd down on the field, Mo McNally up here in the booth along with me, Sharon Gallant doing our stats.

I'm Rob Munzing.

We'll be back for a game two shortly here on Maine Public Sports.