Dexter posts shutout vs. Piscataquis Tigers still unbeaten at 5-0

GUILFORD – With 12 minutes remaining in the first half of Thursday’s traditional field hockey showdown, Margaret Veazie called timeout, gathered her Dexter Tigers around her, and gave them an earful.

Two sophomores were playing fine, she said. “And the rest of you stink.”

This, as the Tigers led previously undefeated Piscataquis Community High 1-0, hadn’t allowed a shot on goal, and seemed to be in control.

But here’s a point of reference: Entering the game, Dexter hadn’t allowed a goal in four games this season. They’d outscored their opponents 22-0. And they’re the defending state Class C champs.

Expectations are … high.

“They were flat,” Veazie said with a chuckle after her Tigers had responded by reeling off five more goals – including two in the next five minutes – and topping the Pirates 6-0.

Dexter improved to 5-0, while PCHS dropped to 3-1-1.

“They were playing nonchalant and not charging balls and they weren’t hustling,” she said. “Then I yelled at them, which really stinks, but every once in a while I have to do that.

“And then they pick up their game and they’re beautiful.”

That they were.

Some more shocking numbers: After firing 32 shots at PCHS goalie Caterina Riitano, the Tigers have piled up 155 shots in five contests. Their opponents have collectively managed to shoot only 15 times.

Kristy Veazie, one of two of Margaret Veazie’s daughters who play for Dexter, scored three goals and assisted on another. She has scored 80 goals in her career and a team-high 12 this year.

Classmate Erika Haiko added three goals of her own, and has nine on the season. Courtney McCormick and Karen Nelson added two assists each while Melissa Doody had one assist.

Another key to the win: The midfield trio of Nelson, Brittany Veazie and Keriann Patterson, who dominated play.

Haiko, who scored the first two goals in similar fashion by camping out on the right post and waiting for a pass, said the potent Dexter attack makes things fun.

“It’s exciting. It’s the best feeling in the world to know that no matter who’s in there, they can keep scoring,” Haiko said.

Especially when it’s Kristy Veazie: The talented forward put on a show that included two goals that were top-notch.

The first, at the 7:36 mark of the first half, was a high-octane turn-and-fire blast off a McCormick feed that made it 3-0.

And she converted her third, with 22:20 to go in the game, after making a midswing adjustment on a bouncing ball.

“I didn’t really see it coming, and when I did I was really off-balance,” Kristy Veazie said.

When the ball bounced off a bump, Veazie adjusted and smacked it past Riitano (seven saves on 32 shots) to make it 5-0.

Dexter goalie Cindy Kocielny remained perfect in net, making two saves on four shots. She passed her one true test when she dove to stop a point-blank Colita Regan blast in the second half.

“In order to beat them you have to be on them tight and anticipate all their passes, and be one step ahead, which we weren’t today,” PCHS coach Trisha Moulton said. “We were one step behind.”

JV: PCHS 4-2.