SKOWHEGAN — You expect Skowhegan field hockey to still be playing in November no matter the season — but earlier this year, even coach Paula Doughty had her doubts.

The River Hawks replaced one of their most veteran rosters in history in 2023 with possibly their longtime head coach’s youngest ever this fall. It’s what’s made another trip to the regional final, which Skowhegan clinched with a 1-0 victory over Mt. Blue in Saturday’s Class A North semis, all the more special.

“I thought we were going to be 8-6 this year; I really did,” said Doughty. “These kids have worked their butts off to get here, and I think it’s a huge credit to our program, our coaches and our kids. I mean, two of my kids that started today just turned 14. Our future is bright.”

Dasia Alberico scored the game’s lone goal for Skowhegan with 1:26 left in the third quarter after the River Hawks built momentum coming out of halftime. The result sent Skowhegan to Wednesday’s Class A North championship game at Cony High School, where it will play Brewer and go for its 23rd straight regional title.

The first quarter saw Mt. Blue send a shot just wide and No. 1 Skowhegan (14-2) force a save out of the Cougars’ Gwen Lesperance. The River Hawks forced another key defensive play from the Cougars 11 minutes before half as Kara Daggett got a stick to a shot that looked set to rattle the cage and forced it wide.

A Skowhegan corner that went just wide at the end of the first half seemed to give the River Hawks added juice entering the second. Sydalia Savage nearly scored for the home team with five minutes left in the third quarter, and less than four minutes later, Alberico found the cage to break the deadlock.

“I saw the ball go by the goalie — they were going to let it in because it didn’t go behind the circle — so I snuck behind her,” Alberico said. “Sydalia just launched it in there, and I just tipped it in.”

Skowhegan kept applying pressure after the goal and nearly made it two with nine minutes to play as a shot from Savage went just wide. Yet just a minute later, confusion at the other end nearly saw No. 4 Mt. Blue (11-5) level the score.

Mt. Blue players celebrated what they felt was a goal that had crossed the line, but the would-be tying goal was ruled out as officials instead awarded a penalty stroke to the Cougars. Kali Judkins then hit the left post as the jubilant River Hawks celebrated maintaining their lead.

“I really thought the ball went in and that they trapped it behind the line, but they said it was a penalty stroke, and it is what it is,” said Mt. Blue head coach Julie Lajoie. “It’s not the way we wanted to go out, but it was a great game. … I’m extremely proud of how my girls played. They did a beautiful job.”

Skowhegan largely controlled possession the rest of the way to close out the victory. That was due in part to the presence of Savage, who throughout the game weaved her way in and out of the Mt. Blue defense to apply pressure and generate scoring opportunities.

On such a young team, Doughty said, the leadership of seniors Savage, Ellie Quinn and Sophie Noyes has been instrumental. While Skowhegan may be loaded with youngsters, Savage added, players such as freshmen Lauren Nunn and Sydney Perkins and sophomore Faith Pease have learned fast.

“I think it shows amazing resilience and hard work,” Savage said. “It doesn’t matter the age; it matters the heart. Before every game, we say, ‘We are not freshmen, sophomores, juniors or seniors; we are a team.’ I think that’s what helps us the most. It’s all about the willingness.”