Despite an 11-on-11 game it was a back-and-forth battle between Evelyn Gourdreau of Mt. Ararat and Madi Doody for Messalonskee. They combined for nine of the 11 goals scored and drew all of the opposing defense’s attention, but Messo found their second option in Abigail Klinge. With 33 seconds left, she buried a penalty shot to give the Eagles their first win of the season, 6-5 over the Eagles of Mt. Ararat.
On a rainy night in Oakland, the game was tied at one after the first 20 minutes. Then Doody and Gourdreau took off, combining for five goals over the next seven minutes of game action. Goudreau was the first, second, and third option for Mt. Ararat, and Islah Godo found her cutting three different times. Goudreau’s 5th goal put Mt. Ararat up 5-3 with 14:14 left in the game, the biggest lead of the game. Godo and Gourdreau were the only point scorers for Mt. Ararat.
Doody matched Goudreau goal for goal early, scoring the first three goals for a Messo team that was looking for a playmaker. However, as both stars drew plenty of defensive attention, Doody was able to find a teammate to take advantage. Klinge snuck backdoor with the attention Doody drew who hit her to cut it to a 5-4 deficit.
After Doody tied it, Klinge drew a penalty shot with under a minute left. On her penalty shot, she drew another penalty, sending Godo off, and then buried it for the game-winning goal. Doody finished with five points (4 G, 1A) and Klinge had three points (2G, 1A). Sophia Ventimiglia and Isabella Morrill each added an assist for Messo.
Goalie Salin Bachor was solid early before Messalonskee’s passing opened their opportunities. She finished with eight saves and six goals given up. Shea Cassani finished with five saves and five goals given up for Messo.
Messalonskee moves to 1-1 and will host Brunswick on Friday.
Mt. Ararat falls to 1-1 and hosts Camden Hills on Saturday.
