The Skowhegan High School Indians’ 78-game winning streak came to an end on Tuesday afternoon, but 33rd-year head coach Paula Doughty took her team’s 5-4 double overtime loss to Messalonskee of Oakland in stride.
Doughty, who has guided her Indians to 12 state Class A championships in 13 years, had to play Tuesday’s game with senior midfielder Emily Trial as goalkeeper.
Starting goalie Leah Kruse had her appendix removed on Sunday, and the backup goalie was academically ineligible. So Doughty called upon Trail, who accepted the challenge in practice on Monday.
“Emily understands the game pretty well, and she was very brave,” said Doughty. “She had only two hours of practice. Goalkeeping is an art. It takes a real long time to learn how to do it. She gave it her best shot. I was very proud of her and very proud of the team.”
Trial finished with seven saves on 17 shots.
Nathalie St. Pierre’s goal in the second overtime gave the Eagles their win over the Indians in Skowhegan.
Emily Hogan had a hat trick for Messalonskee, and Allison Corbett had a goal. Chalbi French made 17 saves on 35 shots.
Skowhegan had an 11-5 edge in penalty corners.
“To take that team to double overtime in those conditions … we played incredibly well,” said Doughty. “Messalonskee is very, very good. They can really shoot the ball.”
Lauren LeBlanc’s goal late in the second half forced the overtime for Skowhegan.
Renee Wright had a goal and three assists for Skowhegan, with Brooke Michonski and Julie Steeves scoring the other goals.
Skowhegan’s last loss was a 2-1 setback to Scarborough in the 2009 state championship game.
The Indians had beaten Messalonskee 2-0 in the 2009 Eastern Maine final and have beaten the Eagles in the Eastern Maine final every year since. They topped Messalonskee 1-0 in 2010, 2-1 in 2011, 2-1 in 2012 and 1-0 last fall.
Doughty said having the winning streak snapped is a “relief.”
“We don’t have to hear about it any more,” said Doughty.
Kruse, who attended Tuesday’s game, will be sidelined for at least three weeks.
Doughty isn’t sure what she will do in goal until then.
The Indians, 2-1, will visit 0-3 Brunswick, and Messalonkee, 3-0, will host Lewiston on Thursday.
Messalonskee will host Skowhegan to end the regular season on Oct. 13.