For the last four years, Yarmouth/Freeport head coach Dave Intraversato has pondered the thought.
Gloves flying in the air. The pop of the crowd. The everlasting high of winning a state championship.
Intraversato and the Clippers no longer have to rely on their imagination. On Saturday, Yarmouth/Freeport knocked off three-time defending champion Cheverus Co-op in a thrilling 1-0 overtime win to capture the program’s first-ever Maine girls high school state title.
“You think about how it’s going to be when you win, and you kind of play it in your head how it’s going to be,” Intraversato said. “And it’s not that way. It’s just better. It’s better than what you think.”
This weekend marked Yarmouth/Freeport’s third trip to the big dance in the last four seasons, falling to Cheverus in the state final in 2023 and 2024 before coming up short in the semifinal last winter. The historic victory nixes Cheverus’ dynasty, the only team in girls state history to win three consecutive championships.
“It’s overwhelming joy and satisfaction, and a little relief,” Intraversato said.
Avery Guyer scored in the 5-on-5 overtime period. The talented freshman caused a turnover at the blue line before wheeling the puck into the attacking zone. Cutting down the left side of the ice, the defender-turned-forward cut to the middle along the goal line before placing a backhand shot into the net.
Guyer, who has impressed on defense all winter, was deployed as a forward late into the sudden-death frame to provide extra legs up front.
“Something just made me look right at Avery,” Intraversato said. “And I’m like, ‘Oh my gosh. There’s my answer.’”
Yarmouth/Freeport (17-2-2) entered the tournament as the No. 2 seed in the North division. The Clippers beat No. 3 Brunswick, 6-2, in the semifinal before edging top-seeded Edward Little, 3-1, in the regional final to punch a ticket to a battle with Cheverus.
Yarmouth/Freeport faced a tall task with Edward Little. In both regular-season meetings, the Red Hornets skated to 4-1 and 2-1 victories.
But Yarmouth/Freeport returned the favor, rallying to a trio of goals in the first period to take a quick 3-0 lead. Sophie White, Erin O’Connor and Presley Strout all lit the lamp.
Taking down Cheverus was the perfect way for the seniors of Yarmouth/Freeport.
“It was definitely a full circle moment,” Celia Zinman, a senior captain, said. “Watching the Cheverus-Biddeford game after our Edward Little game, we were wondering who do we want to win? I ultimately wanted Cheverus to win just so we could have that last moment.”
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Yarmouth/Freeport had played Cheverus to a 2-2 tie before skating to a 1-0 win in the regular season in a precursor of what was to come. Cheverus relinquished a bevy of talent after last season — including star players Lucy Johnson and Caroline Rousseau — but remained competitive, headlined by strong play from Ellie Skolnekovich between the pipes.
Before the season, Cheverus head coach Scott Rousseau tabbed Yarmouth/Freeport “the class of the state” and anticipated a strong year from the Clippers. Intraversato had high praise for both Skolnekovich and Rousseau and credited his team’s composure down the stretch of Saturday’s contest.
“I noticed that we actually played very relaxed,” Intraversato said. “We played very safe and smart. We weren’t overdoing it on our forecheck too hard. We were kind of playing a really smart forecheck and just trying to keep the puck in the offensive zone and open up chances.”
Zinman posted nine goals and 28 points playing with Dylan McElhinney and O'Connor. Her and her teammates' experiences in big games came through in the final.
The senior captain will play field hockey and lacrosse at Colby.
“I think it’s set in a little bit,” Zinman said. “It feels a little bit surreal that I’m just done with hockey completely, but it feels great that this is the way that I got to end it.”
Intraversato will surely miss Zinman, tabbing her “one of the hardest workers you’re going to get.”
“She came in this season ready to go,” Intraversato said. “As a leader and as a captain, you can’t ask for a better in-locker-room person and on the ice, leading by example.”
Sophomore standout Maya Nasveschuk also turned heads this season, leading the team in scoring with 24-14-38. Yarmouth/Freeport’s team defense was especially impactful. In front of netminder Lydia Costa, defenders Adelaide Strout, Erica O’Connor, White and Guyer have been among the best in the state.
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Interestingly, all four goals the Clippers scored against Cheverus this season came from defenders. A true testament of their team identity, if you will.
Strout scored in the first meeting, while Erica O’Connor and White found twine in the 2-2 tie. Of course, Guyer’s goal on Saturday will be remembered forever.
As well as everything else that came from the triumph. It is no longer a dream.
