BRUNSWICK — Hilary Champagne scored her third goal of the game off Alison Walton's corner kick with 3:29 left in the second overtime to give top-seeded Brunswick a 3-2 victory over No. 3 Waterville in the Eastern Maine Class A girls' soccer final Wednesday.
In a game of momentum swings, two girls playing at less than full strength combined to send the Dragons (17-0) to Saturday's state title game against Thornton Academy.
Champagne was ill in the days leading up to the regional final, and Walton, Brunswick's leading scorer, had to leave the game with leg cramps early in the second sudden-death period.
Walton returned five minutes later and took the corner kick from the right, lofting it to the far post where Champagne headed it down and inside the post for the win.
"It was an easy goal," said Champagne. "I always go for the far post, (Walton) hit a perfect service and I was in the right place at the right time."
Champagne's second goal tied it with 9:57 left in regulation, giving the Dragons life two minutes after the Panthers (14-2-1) seemingly had taken control with Abbie Webster's second goal.
Champagne collected the rebound after a bid by Morgan Libby was blocked in front and nailed the left post with a hard shot. The ball came back to her and this time she put it in the middle of the net.
"We've been behind so many times this year," said Walton, "that we're almost used to it. We believe we have the skill to come back, even against a great team like Waterville.
"We have the desire and the heart to win, and we know each of these games could be the last one and we're not about to let that happen."
Brunswick dominated the first half and went up 1-0 when Christina Damon won a loose ball in the left corner and sent it over to Champagne, who scored inside the left post at 25:25.
Webster tied it on the Panthers' first shot of the game, which came 2:43 into the second half.
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