The determined 12-3-1 MVU Thunderbirds faced top-seeded 14-0-1 Rice in the 2012 Vermont DIII Field Hockey State Championship. MVU refused to be underestimated or be deterred and played their game beautifully. MVU''s passing and persistent pressure proved successful as Chelsea shocked Rice with a goal to take a 1-0 lead with 3 mins left in the first half. Rice scrambled to tie it early in the 2nd half. Again, MVU - a team with 12 seniors - refused to be intimidated and kept believing they could win. The game stayed tied 1-1 heading into the first 7 on 7 OT and then into the second OT. Mikaela was brilliant in goal for MVU, Kelly anchored the D, Mollie was all over the middle, and Camille and Dakota kept the pressure on. After the second OT, it went to a shootout where Camille scored to get the party started, Kara scored to put MVU a save away from the State title, and Mikaela came up huge with 3 saves and a goal herself to propel MVU to a well deserved victory and back to back championships! Exchanged texts with my Kate throughout the game as she rooted on her Dakota from amidst her chem research at Yale. This is a great group of Thunderbird young ladies and families with fine coaches in Jeanne and Ed Rainville. It's been a pleasure to watch them compete. Congrats, TBirds! Brilliantly done.