DEXTER – The defending state Class C champion Dexter High School field hockey team found itself in a rare situation with 18 minutes left in the first half of its Eastern Maine semifinal against Dirigo of Dixfield Wednesday.

Jill Gerrish’s goal for Dirigo had tied the game up 1-1. It was only the fourth goal surrendered by the unbeaten and untied Tigers all season.

Undaunted, the Tigers responded with three goals in a span of 8:18 later in the half en route to a 5-1 triumph. The 16-0 Tigers, who have extended their unbeaten streak to 34 games (33-0-1), will host rival Piscataquis of Guilford, 13-2-1, in Saturday’s EM final at 11 a.m.

Both PCHS losses came at the hands of Dexter.

Dirigo wound up 7-6-3.

Senior left inner Kristy Veazie scored her 100th and 101st career goals and senior right wing Erika Haiko notched her 19th and 20th goals of the season to spearhead the win.

Veazie now has 33 this season.

Freshman Meagan Fogarty added an insurance goal in the second half.

Sophomore Brittany Veazie and senior Karen Nelson contributed two assists apiece and teamed up with sophomore Keriann Patterson to dominate the midfield. Brittany Veazie, Nelson and Patterson consistently intercepted Dirigo clearing attempts and either made nifty rushes into the penalty circle or served the ball back in.

“Our midfield is strong,” said Dexter coach Margaret Veazie. “They don’t get a lot of press because they don’t do a lot of scoring. But they control the midfield.”

Dirigo coach Amy Chiasson said Brittany Veazie is particularly imposing.

“She feeds their team. She’s awesome,” said Chiasson, who was impressed by Dexter.

“Their stickhandling is awesome. We haven’t run up against anything like that all year,” said Chiasson.

Kristy Veazie opened the scoring 9:29 into the game by working a nice give-and-go with sister Brittany before drilling a low eight-yard shot into the far corner.

The speedy Gerrish equalized with her first goal of the season as she chased down a long hit from Ashley Stone and beat Tiger goalie Cindy Kosielny from 12 yards out.

But Haiko broke the tie 5:33 later as she tucked the ball into the vacant net while positioned at the far post. Kristy Veazie deflected a Nelson pass over to her.

“There was no one marking me. I knew I had to stay on my post and keep control of the ball. I had to keep my eye on it,” said Haiko.

A scintillating dash by Brittany Veazie resulted in her sister’s goal 6:11 later. Kristy Veazie received the ball at the top of the circle and her shot found its way through a maze of players into the net.

“It was muddy and I think the goalie slipped. It trickled in,” said Veazie.

Haiko made it 4-1 with 4:09 left in the half when Courtney McCormick found her in front and Haiko simply had to tap it into the empty net.

“We came around after they scored. We turned it up,” said Margaret Veazie.

Haiko added, “We played really well today.”

Shira Hanmer played well in goal for the Cougars, finishing with 24 saves on 35 shots.

Dirigo had four shots but Koscielny didn’t have to make a save.

“I can see them being state champs,” said Dirigo’s Gerrish. “They’re the best team we’ve played. Usually, our drivers get the ball from one end to the other but Dexter knew how to stop it.”