Dumont powers NYA to state crown Panthers edge Pandas in 2OT

HAMPDEN – Courtney Dumont has been an exciting player for coach Jeff Thoreck and the North Yarmouth Academy girls soccer team this year.

Dumont gave the Panthers and a big crowd of NYA fans at the Weatherbee Complex two more reasons to cheer in Thursday night’s Class C state championship game.

Not only did Dumont score the game-tying goal in the second half, but she also kicked in a loose ball with 9 minutes, 58 seconds left in double overtime to boost North Yarmouth to its fifth straight state title with a 2-1 triumph over Lee Academy.

The 12-4-2 Panthers’ championship came despite graduating nine seniors from last year’s team that beat George Stevens of Blue Hill 2-0. NYA, which was the No. 5 seed for the Western Maine Class C playoffs, had to beat the fourth, first and second seeds to make it to states with just two seniors.

“They learned every time they stepped on the field, they learned they had to play quick, make quick decisions,” Thoreck said, “and with a team like Lee, who puts a lot of pressure on the ball, I think having a competitive schedule in the regular season was really beneficial.”

The Pandas, who hadn’t allowed a goal since a 7-1 win over Southern Aroostook on Sept. 24 and hadn’t gone to overtime yet this season, wrapped up another stellar fall with a 17-1 record. Lee won two straight Class D states before moving to Class C this year.

The Pandas seemed on their way to another title in a back-and-forth first half. Lee dominated early, although the Pandas had just a 6-5 edge in shots on goal, and dictated the flow by winning 50-50 balls. Lee was rewarded when Aarika Ritchie ripped a shot from about 20 yards out with 15:24 left in the first half for a 1-0 lead.

But NYA came out stronger after halftime, testing Lee goalie Karin Bird and the Pandas’ steady defense. Lee held up until the Panthers finally equalized on Dumont’s first goal, which she scored when she ran on to a ball that Bird bobbled after the goalie saved an initial shot by Alex Noyes.

Dumont crashed the area on that shot and again on her winner when an Alison Carpenter shot hit the crossbar and dropped down. Dumont was there for the loose ball and the score.

“[Thoreck] told us that the goalie could have trouble handling the ball because it’s cold out and she might bobble it,” Dumont said. “She did, and we got lucky.”

That kind of play is typical from the sophomore.

“That’s Courtney,” Thoreck said. “She’s an exciting player. She plays with a lot of passion. She’s a finisher. And she creates a lot of opportunity.”

She was the focus for the Lee defense as Kimmy Thurlow marked Dumont all game and kept her from getting many chances in the course of play.

“I knew she was their biggest offensive threat and we wanted to cut down her every shooting opportunity,” Thurlow said. “… We’ve only marked up three or four times this year and it was hard for us to adjust, especially on a big field like this.”

Lee coach Stephanie Thurlow was pleased with the defensive effort.

“Kimmy knew she had a very good turn on the ball,” Stephanie Thurlow said. “… She’s a great player and Kimmy shut her down, I feel. That was just scrappy play on [Dumont’s part] at the end.”

The game was a clash of styles – NYA is known for playing more of a possession and passing game, while Lee tries to generate a lot of offense on lead passes from the midfield.

The Panthers’ passing eventually got to the Pandas.

“I think my wings were a little tired,” Stephanie Thurlow said. “We’re not used to people knocking the ball around that well. This team did a great job knocking the ball around, using their wings. We did well with it in the first half, not so well in the second.”

Lee used just one substitute in both the Eastern Maine and state finals.

Both teams had what looked from the sidelines like clear-cut goals – Lee in the first half, NYA in the first overtime – on balls that seemed to cross the goal line, but neither was ruled a goal.

Bird finished with eight saves on 14 shots, while NYA goalie Maddie Lane stopped nine of 16 shots.