PARIS — Oxford Hills knew about Skowhegan’s 12 state titles in 13 years and state record 65 consecutive victories. The Vikings knew about the Indians were averaging 9.4 goals per game and had surrendered just one goal through their first eight games.

What the Vikings didn’t know is they were supposed to wilt under the Indians’ unrelenting pressure, as most other opponents have done. For better than half of Thursday’s KVAC match at Gouin Athletic Complex, the Vikings took everything the state’s field hockey juggernaut dished out and came back for more with even more determination.

Brooke Michonski broke a scoreless tie with 1:13 left in the first half, then Skowhegan poured it on in the second half with four goals to pull away from Oxford Hills, 5-0.

“We had a great first half and we came out strong in the second half,” Oxford Hills coach Cindy Goddard said. “As the score started to get lopsided, we tried to get everyone an opportunity play, which is important, too. I think they’re proud of themselves. Holding them without a goal for nearly a whole half is a big accomplishment.”

Skowhegan (9-0) dominated possession, outshooting the Vikings, 23-0. Oxford Hills goalie Shannon Fillebrown turned aside 18 shots, and the defense, led by Nicolle Gadbout, Syndney Jackson, Amber Jenkins and Sholie Hanscom did an outstanding job of clearing the ball out of the circle, particularly in the first half.

“They stayed low and they cleared it out,” Goddard said. “They didn’t let them get a lot of powerful shots off. In the second half, they had a lot more powerful shots coming out from the corner.”

Oxford Hills (5-4) won the majority of the 50-50 balls in the first half, but Michonski was able to take advantage of one they lost along the upper left edge of the circle and swept it past Fillebrown to her right to break the deadlock late in the first half.

“I think once we score, we usually get more motivated,” Michonski said.

The Indians carried the momentum into the second half but the Vikings were ready. Amy Peet, who was marking Michonski, denied her a second goal with a blocked shot in front of an open cage two minutes in. 

Ten minutes later, Fillebrown made a nice stop on an Allison Lancaster shot from the top of the circle. But there was little she could do moments later to stop Mikayla Toth’s hard shot off a penalty corner feed from Lancaster.

That opened the flood gates as Michonski cashed in on an open cage for her second goal, Lancaster scored on a penalty shot and Lauren LeBlanc scored the capper.

The Vikings rarely got the ball past midfield in the second half. Their best chance at a shot came in the 27th minute of the second half when Caitlin Bernier made a bid from the left of the circle, but it was blocked by Toth.

“I think we all know that we need to keep our heads in the game,” Michonski said. “Even if we’re up by a lot, we know that we have to stay focused and play like any other team.”

The thing is, Skowhegan doesn’t play like any other team, and the Vikings hung around with them longer than virtually every other opponent save for Messalonskee, which lost to the Indians, 2-1, on Sept. 10.

“Showhegan is obviously one of the top teams. To be in the game for such a long period of time is something to build off,” Goddard said.