BANGOR — The Camden Hills varsity field hockey team hit the road to Bangor to challenge the Bangor Rams on Wednesday, Oct. 2. 

In a very tight nail-biter, the visiting Windjammers collected a narrow 2-1 victory over the Rams. 

Scoring for Camden Hills were Lulu Lydon (assisted by Molly Shook) and Kyla Taylor (unassisted). 

Scoring for Bangor was Meaghan Caron (unassisted). 

“Bangor is always a great competitor — they're aggressive and fast, but the game is always clean,” said Camden Hills head coach Lindsey Clement. “The teams both played hard, but in the end we were able to secure the win. Bangor's skills allowed them to keep possession most of the game, while we scrambled to break up their play and protect our goal. The calls were not going our way in our defensive end, and we struggled to connect with our own passes; both made it difficult for us to transition the ball into our offensive end most of the first half. Although our offensive opportunities were not as plentiful as Bangor's, but we made them count.” 

For the Rockport school’s first goal, Shook redirected a shot on a corner ahead of Lydon’s goal. 

Heading into the halftime break, Camden Hills held a 1-0 advantage. 

The Windjammers entered the second half, Clement said, knowing Bangor would be eager to erase the deficit. 

Bangor would tie the game with nine minutes remaining in the half before Taylor scored the Windjammer’s second goal of the game. 

“Those last few minutes of the game were tense as we hoped to keep the lead, but Bangor made it difficult,” Clement noted. 

Clement praised her goalkeeper, Vicki Balla, for her performance protecting the net. 

“She managed to keep her head in the game and stay aggressive, yet composed,” said Clement. “As a coach, you always watch with hesitation when your keeper comes out to play the ball away from the cage, but Vicki made the right decision every time.”

Campbell's composure kept the Windjammers together, the coach noted, while highlighting Lydon’s strength as a skilled play-maker for her teammates. 

“Her ability to read an opponent, gain possession of the ball, and send it to the forwards is phenomenal,” said Clement. “Both have incredible individual talent (Sophia with defense and Lulu with offense), but both play selflessly and consistently look for ways to setup their teammates transitions.” 

Clement also commented on a pair of other Windjammers in post-game remarks.  

“Molly Shook had a great game as she broke up many Bangor offensive plays, both in the midfield and in our defensive end,” said Clement. “Gail Curtis also had an amazing defensive game yesterday, her play was quick and clean.” 

Reach the sports department at: sports@penbaypilot.com.