Central wins 2nd straight championship Trafton tallies game-winner

PORTLAND – For the second year in a row, the Central of Corinth field hockey team had to rally in the Class C state championship game.

And once again, Rachel Trafton figured into the win.

Trafton, a sophomore who recorded the tying goal in the Red Devils’ championship game last year, scored during a penalty corner with 2 minutes, 9 seconds left in the second half to power Central to its second straight state crown with a 2-1 win over St. Dominic of Auburn.

No one seemed surprised Trafton had the winner, least of all junior Maddie Dunakin, who tied the game during a dominating second half Saturday at Fitzpatrick Stadium.

“We work really well together,” Dunakin said as the two hugged.

It was the first loss for the 16-1 Saints, who had allowed only four goals prior to Saturday’s game.

The Red Devils, who wrapped up their season with a 13-2-3 record, racked up 13 penalty corners in the second half, so it figured they’d convert at least one of them.

Brooke Washburn inserted the ball from the right side of the cage to Chantel Randall. Randall drove it at goalie Austyn Carolin (eight saves), but the ball came loose on the rebound and got behind Carolin. Both Trafton and Washburn were in position to finish.

“Either one of us could have gotten to it,” Trafton said. “I just got my stick on it first. … Chantal has a nice hard drive, and on turf it’s easier to get the pop back out. We just have our sticks down for the rebound.”

The Saints regained possession, but clearing balls by Trafton and Randall ate up big chunks of time in the last minute.

St. Dominic dominated in the first half, getting off seven shots to Central’s one and racking up 10 penalty corners to five for Central. Chelsea St. Onge-May gave St. Dominic the lead during a scramble 3:14 into the game.

“I lost total sight of the ball,” said Central goalie Kara Voisine, who had four saves. “We were all there [in front of the goal].”

The Saints couldn’t maintain the pace, however, and the Devils took control after halftime. Central got off four shots before Whitney Lord took one that bounced off Carolin. Maddie Dunakin was there to tip in the rebound with 16:52 left.

Central coach Diane Rollins gave her team tips on playing Carolin for the second half.

“She’s really tall. She [Rollins] said when she moves she opens her legs up wide, so we should try to shoot between her legs, and that’s what I did,” Dunakin said.

The defense didn’t allow a St. Dominic shot in the second half. Mary Lewis had the Saints’ best chance when she got a breakaway with about 12 minutes left but she pulled up short – she’s been dealing with a groin injury, coach Brian Kay said – and whiffed on a shot attempt in the penalty area.

“We outplayed them first half,” Kay added. “We just couldn’t get that second goal. Had we gotten that second goal….”

Central finished with an 18-11 edge in penalty corners and a 10-7 advantage in shots.

“We always seem to come out flat, no matter what,” Randall said. “And the communication wasn’t that good. But in the second half we stepped it up.”