The Gardiner Tigers field hockey team came into Tuesday’s game against Waterville with a record of 13-0, outscoring opponents 48-3. The Purple Panthers came in with a 2-10-1 record and were being outscored opponents 45-12.
Waterville defeated Gardiner 2-1 to jump from out of the tournament picture to number eight in the Maine Principals’ Association class B north standings. If they stay at number eight, they would host Hermon in a preliminary round game. With games remaining on the schedule on Wednesday, the Hawks could jump to eighth. Either way the Purple Panthers had the upset of the season and will be playing at least one more game.
Despite the loss, Gardiner has locked down the number one spot in class B north. Foxcroft will look to close out an undefeated regular season and get the number two seed when they travel to Old Town on Wednesday. Nokomis will travel to either Belfast or Foxcroft for a quarterfinal game. Lawrence and Old Town will meet in the 4/5 game. That game will be at Lawrence, unless Old Town defeats Foxcroft. Winslow will host Morse in a prelim contest.
In class A north, Brunswick and Mt. Ararat is the only regular season game remaining. The top seven are set in the Maine Principals’ Association Standings. The number two seed Messalonskee Eagles will host Hampden, number three Cony will host Edward Little, while fourth seeded Skowhegan will host Oxford Hills. Mt. Blue (13-0-1) is the only team to finish with less than two losses. The Cougars will host the eighth seed. That is currently Brewer, Brunswick could make that close if they defeat Mt. Ararat on Wednesday.
The top seven are also all set in class C north. The number two seed Dexter Tigers will host number seven Mattanawcook. Dexter won the two regular season matchups, including 2-1 on Monday. Winthrop will host Mount View in the 3/6 matchup, while number four Central will host Boothbay. Orono currently holds the eighth seed. The Red Riots can lock that down with a win or tie against PCHS on Wednesday or a Central win over John Bapst. PCHS has a chance to grab that spot with a win and a John Bapst win over Central. That will end up being close when the numbers are all figured out. The team that finishes as the number eight seed will travel to Pittsfield for a quarterfinal contest against top seed and defending state champion MCI. The full list of playoff matchups will be posted later this week. Click here for the high school field hockey scoreboard.
