Salem High’s field hockey team took its fans on a wild roller coaster ride in Class L’s quarterfinal playoff round. But the hosts from Exeter High abruptly stopped the locals’ fun.

Two teams that entered the postseason with identical 10-3- 1 records needed overtime to decide a winner, and Exeter’s Emalyn Loh scored midway through the 15-minute extra period to give the Blue Hawks a 2-1 victory on Sunday, Oct. 25.

The goal stunned Salem and its followers, who just as quickly realized they’d seen a memorable match – full of ups and downs, twists and turns – and cheered their hard-working but defeated Blue Devils. Loh’s goal, her second of the game, capped a contest that featured back-and-forth action, momentum swings and athletic play throughout. It was also the second straight year Exeter knocked Salem from the state tourney by one goal.

“This is one of the better teams I’ve coached,” said John Gatsas, who has worked the high school sidelines since 1986, including 17 years through 2002 with SHS. “Obviously, it was a very well-played game, but Exeter – give them credit – beat us in transition in overtime.”

The Blue Devils led until just prior to intermission following junior Meghan Bench’s goal, a deflection of a long shot off the stick of sophomore Sarah Frahm.

Gatsas, though, was concerned Exeter was too often beating his charges to the ball. After some halftime adjustments, SHS, seeded No. 5, held fourth-seeded EHS scoreless after the break, helped by its goalie, Allison Breton.

Still, spectators watched – some with eyes partially hidden behind hands, others nervously nibbling fingernails – a second half that was more like a tennis match. Heads swiveled left, then quickly right, attempting to keep up with the frantic pace on Eustis Field.

Salem nearly took the lead near the end of regulation, smartly turning an Exeter corner opportunity at one end of the field into a two-on-one chance at the other. Melissa Higgins narrowly missed solving Exeter’s steady keeper, Emily Meade, who left the net and cut down Higgins’ angle. The speedy Salem midfielder threw her stick away in frustration.

Gatsas said his team, which crushed Manchester Central Oct. 21 in the preliminary round, 6-2, was naturally disappointed by the defeat. Yet he was also quick to mention the invaluable efforts of his departing seniors – Amanda Smigliani, Taylor Buatti, Christine Cannone, Carly Federico, Chelsie Muldowney and Megan Martineau.

Gatsas said he knows strong current contributors return in 2010, including sophomores Brittney Hall and Jenna Lucas, and he praised Christine Landry and Tiffany D’Amour, who coached Woodbury School’s 44 middle school players. He expects some of those athletes to further replenish Salem’s varsity squad.

“This was a great season,” said Gatsas. “I don’t think anyone thought we’d come this far.”