Orono

Orono controlled the ball for much of the early going Wednesday in its Class 1A girls' soccer quarterfinal against Rochester Lourdes.

It was a play after a loose ball, however, that made the difference.

After a scramble for the ball, Orono's Megan Marzolf scored the winning goal as the Spartans defeated the Eagles 2-0 at Farmington High School.

Maddie Loder added a goal on a penalty kick. Goalkeeper Alexa Stoddard got the shutout for Orono (18-0-3), which staved off multiple scoring opportunities for Rochester Lourdes in the second half.

"We came out pretty strong, especially in those first 10 minutes," Orono coach Erin Murray said. "We got, I feel like, a little bit frantic at times, but I think we still got the outcome we wanted."

Orono generated scoring chances early, including a breakaway opportunity that resulted in a shot off the post. Marzolf's goal came just over 17 minutes into the game, when she lobbed a shot from about 28 yards out over the head of Rochester Lourdes keeper Lauren Nickels.

"She's kind of known for long balls," said forward Anna Hughes, one of Orono's three captains. "We kind of just say, 'Whenever you see the net, whenever it's open, just take it.' "

It was Orono's sixth consecutive victory and 14th in its past 15 games. The Spartans have allowed just six goals this season in posting 15 shutouts.

"It's not just our three or four defenders," Murray said. "I think as a team we're good about defending the ball."

Stoddard filled in for Spartans starting goalie Clare Gagne, who was out because of a red card. Stoddard's teammates voted her player of the game because of her strong play.

Orono is making its third state appearance in four years. The Spartans won the 2014 state title and finished second in '15.

Lourdes (17-3-1), with only three seniors on its roster, made its eighth state tournament appearance but first since 2011.

Both teams had chances to score in regulation. Visitation's Sammie Sabin had an open run on the net late in the first half, but Blake defender Kyra Willoughby kicked the ball away. The Blazers appeared to score on a free kick in the second half, but the refs waved it off, because it did not touch another player before going in the goal.

Blake's Amelia Reyes had two shots go off the crossbar in the second half, while the Bears' Sara McClanahan had a shot tipped over the crossbar by Visitation goalie Samantha Burke.

Blake (13-5-2), the fourth seed, was making its 10th state tournament appearance and first since 2013. The Bears defeated Visitation 2-0 in overtime earlier this month in their final regular-season game.