Senior Adie Bolduc broke away in seven-on-seven overtime to score the game-winning goal on Monday afternoon and push the John Stark field hockey team past Merrimack Valley, 3-2, after the Generals were up a two-goal lead in the fourth quarter.

“I threw my subs out there, I threw three or four people out there, and we had a fresh set of legs,” said John Stark head coach Cassidy Huckins. “I threw her (Bolduc) right in as forward, and she’s normally defense, and ended up executing with a goal, so it worked out in our favor.

“We’re conditioned to be able to do seven-v-seven, which I’m very impressed with and very proud of. Under pressure, we’re good,” added Huckins.

Both teams came into the game with 4-1-0 records. Huckins inherited the defending back-to-back champion Generals, and the team had only lost three games — including one this season — since the start of the 2022 campaign.

This game might have big playoff implications down the road, but that is yet to be seen.

The Generals slowly ramped up their offense in the first half but only managed to score one goal. Returning All-State senior forward Jillian Fredette dished a pass to the middle of the circle for Caylin Worthen to sneak past the Pride’s defense.

The Pride had a solid first half defensively and had a few penalty corners but were unable to capitalize on their opportunities despite good play in transition and on the counterattack.

The unassuming first half did not adequately foreshadow the chaos that would ensue.

John Stark widened its lead early in the third quarter with a goal off a corner by Addie DeCew, assisted by Caylin Worthen, and it seemed that the Generals might hold on to the advantage.

Going into the last quarter, Merrimack Valley had conceded 12 penalty corners and its senior goalkeeper, Taylor Gionet, had already been forced to make five saves.

The game was intense, and the scoreline did not reflect the back-and-forth nature of play. However, the Pride finally found a way through with solid midfield play and by wearing down Stark’s defense.

Senior midfielder Kaiya Mercier had been spectacular with the ball throughout the game. Halfway through the fourth quarter, she found Abbey Thompson off of a rebound in the circle that she reverse-passed from the right side toward the middle to close the gap and the crowd erupted.

It seemed as if a weight had been lifted off the Pride’s shoulders, and less than a minute later they swiftly carried the ball up field. Kaiya Mercier sent a driven bouncing ball into the circle that rebounded and fell to Julia Michael, who shot it and scored to tie the game.

“I think that we felt too comfortable with two goals, and they fought hard. They wanted to get that W, they’re at their home, and we thought we were fine,” said Huckins.

The game went into overtime and ended with Bolduc’s goal. Despite the loss, Merrimack Valley proved that it has a squad that can compete with the best in Division II.

John Stark’s goalie, Rowin Ledy, was solid throughout the game despite the two goals and had 10 saves to keep the Generals’ mission to win alive.

“Our team, all season, has done a really good job of playing, regardless of down two goals, down one goal, tied up three goals. We just keep playing regardless. We’re a small but mighty team,” said Merrimack Valley coach Jen Colgan.