EXETE – Unlike the rest of her Hanover field hockey teammates, Kate Blaisdell already has a Division II title. She was on the Windham High team that beat the Marauders in the championship game two years ago.
But on Friday night at Bill Ball Stadium, the junior transfer could’ve cared less. Her only focus was delivering Hanover an opportunity to win its first state championship since 2009.
Using her experience and offensive abilities, Blaisdell helped jump-start the Marauders’ offense with two first-half goals within 10 minutes of each other. The scores helped No. 2 Hanover power past No. 6 Merrimack Valley, 4-0, giving the Marauders a spot in Sunday’s championship game at Bedford High.
“This was a tough loss for us tonight,” MV coach Jen Colgan said. “I’m very proud of this team and all they have accomplished this season. They faced a talented Hanover team and they never gave up.”
The berth will be Hanover’s third straight title game appearance, but the previous two have produced losses in heartbreaking fashion.
“I’m able to bring the energy,” Blaisdell said. “As I was telling them, we need to bring the energy right away. We can’t wait for the second half to react. We had to start full steam, and we did that.
“They’ve almost won the championship so many times. They’ve been through a lot. It’s built up this feeling of wanting to do it for them.”
Merrimack Valley (11-5) looked ready to stop that from happening. The Pride played with the momentum it had gained during a 1-0 quarterfinal road win at No. 3 Kennett and earned two penalty corner in the first five minutes of Friday’s semifinal. But MV couldn’t capitalize on those chances, and Blaisdell, Northeastern University commit, would make the Pride pay.
Blaisdell struck for her first goal with 12:26 to play until the break on a chop shot from 10 yards out.
Blaisdell’s offensive prowess showed on the second goal. Macy Curtis received a pass off a penalty corner and sent a shot in the air to left of the net, which was saved MV goalie Rosemary Ostrowski (five saves), who was outstanding for the Pride all season. But this time the rebound went to Blaisdell, who settled and fired in her second score.
“She’s been a key addition to that midfield line,” Hanover coach Jean Essex said of Blaisdell, who transferred from Windham because of a job change for her father. “I thought maybe she’d be the scorer (this season); she was tonight.
“One of the things we’ve been working on all season was the mental part of the game. Don’t lose your cool. Don’t panic. It will all come together. They’re a very smart and composed team.”
Hanover (13-1-1) didn’t wait long to get another score in the second half. Anna Stafford poked in a rebound from Curtis’ entry shot less than four minutes into the second half.
With less than 20 minutes to play, Gail Morse scored on a Katherine Naughton pass for the Marauders’ final goal.
Goalie Ella Edmonds had a chance to score her first goal of the season with 19 minutes, 36 seconds to go. Hanover was given a penalty stroke opportunity, and instead of having Curtis take it, as usual, Edmonds got the chance.
Her shot bounced off the left goal post. Edmonds still made three saves for her ninth shutout of the season.
“I wish I got it. At least I didn’t miss the whole goal,” Edmonds said with a smile. Hanover’s motto throughout this season has been “one more.” For the group of 10 seniors, one more means Sunday will be their final high school field hockey game and their final chance to win the elusive state title.
In 2017, Hanover lost to then Blaisdell’s Windham team; last season, it was a loss to Derryfield. Both were 1-0 defeats, and each featured a Hanover goal waived off. Curtis and Edmonds, also Division I college commits, know there will be games after Sunday.
But there’s something about going out on the right note.
“Being in the finals three years in a row, I just want to win,” Curtis said. “Third time’s the charm, hopefully.”
Pete Nakos can be reached at pnakos@vnews.com or 603-727-3306.