YARMOUTH — For years Gardiner High was one of Eastern Maineīs most consistent and competitive Class A field hockey programs. But this year the Tigers moved to Class B because of the schoolīs enrollment figures.

Coach Moe McNally was hesitant to make the move. Today?

"It doesnīt matter," she said.

Gardiner scored two second- half goals to defeat defending champion York 2-0 Saturday in the Class B state championship game at Yarmouth High. The victory completed a perfect 18-0 season for the Tigers, who won their first state title since 1987, when they won the Class A crown.

McNally wasnīt the only one who didnīt care what class the championship came in.

"Doesnīt matter at all," said Katie Schide, the senior center midfielder who scored the gameīs first goal. "We won the states, thatīs all that matters."

Gardiner controlled the game throughout; its defense limited York to just four shots -- three coming in the gameīs final 10 minutes when the Wildcats pushed the ball hard. Schide shadowed Yorkīs Hannah Keating, keeping her out of the play, and the Wildcats, shut out for the first time this season, simply couldnīt put anything together.

"We were a little off today and I donīt know why," said Coach Barb Marois, who has brought the Wildcats (16-2) to the state title game five times in the last six years. "Today it just didnīt seem like the ball was bouncing our way."

After a scoreless first half, in which Gardiner dominated the action, the Tigers scored quickly. Awarded their fourth penalty corner of the game, Schide made it count, just 3:54 in.

Marissa Lawrence inserted the ball from the left of the goal, to Schide at the top of the circle. She put a low bouncing shot on goal and it eluded York goalie Amanda Kasbohm.

"I hit it right at her, which isnīt good,ī " said Schide. "But it went in, which was good."

"That was big," said McNally. "All week we stressed our penalty corners. I kept telling the girls to take the shot if youīve got it. You canīt leave without scoring. Youīve got to take advantage of every opportunity."

York put on some pressure, getting its first penalty corner with about 13 minutes remaining, but the Tigers struck again, with 9:39 remaining, again off a penalty corner.

Kaylee Heath, who played a magnificent defensive game for the Tigers, inserted the ball to Schide, whose shot was blocked. The ball rolled to Lawrence, who passed to Kashley Weymouth at the right post. Her shot got through and it was 2-0.

York really picked up the pace after that, moving Keating up from center mid to forward. With 6:00 remaining, the Wildcats had four consecutive penalty corners but couldnīt score. The final one was broken up by Heath. Keating stickhandled into the circle and passed to Ali Graziano, at the low left post. But Heath stuck her stick in to break up the pass.

"The ball came at me, I put all my nerves off and stuck my stick out and it happened," said Heath.

And for York, it was the last good chance.

"We had some good chances, we had our corners," said York junior back Chelsea Morley. "We just couldnīt get it in."

Staff Writer Mike Lowe can be contacted at 791-6422 or at:
mlowe@pressherald.com