AUBURN — Lexi Clavet is one of those girls that never leaves her smile behind.

Saturday, the Edward Little senior might have been beaming a little bit more than usual.

Clavet scored the game-winning goal with 1:30 left in regulation to lift her Red Eddies to a 1-0 win over Lewiston.  It was the first goal of the season for Clavet.

“Lexi is always smiling, whether things are going right or wrong,” said EL coach Craig Latuscha. “She’s always in a good mood. She’s been playing striker all season. She’s really fast and just hasn’t been able to hit the net. Today was a big day for her, and she hit the net.”

Clavet converted a crossing pass from Allarie Lever as regulation wound down.

“I’ve been off my game this year with getting goals,” said Clavet, smiling as usual. “I’m proud that this is the first one. If there was any game, I’d rather it be this one. You can’t do any better than that.”

EL (5-5) is ranked ninth in the Eastern A standings. Every win helps the Red Eddies’ cause in securing a playoff spot.

But this game was bigger than just Heal Points. The Maca Roddy Trophy was at stake. It goes to the winner of the second Lewiston-Edward Little girls game of the season. Lewiston won it last year — at EL.

“It’s a little bit of redemption,” said Latuscha. “Last year, they took it to us twice. They took the trophy from us. It’s all about the trophy. It’s all about pride. The end of the year, only one team gets the state championship trophy and this is something we fight for to get back. This is a big thing for the girls.”

In the spirit of Maca Roddy herself, the late EL goaltender, Saturday’s game featured some great goaltending. Lewiston’s Lex Jimenez was outstanding while Taylor Landry did well for EL.

“Our keeper kept us in the game,” said Lewiston coach Butch Dow. “She’s done that every game this season. She’s been unbelievable.”

EL had the early chances. Kate Sawyer had a nice bid in the first half but put it off the left post. Lewiston (2-7-2) was able to balance play out and had a few nice bids themselves in the first half.

In the second half, EL started putting more pressure on. Clavet had a low shot was was saved. Kory Norcross was able to get the ball past a charging Jimenez but Lewiston defender Brianna Lajoie cleared it.  Sawyer and Lever each had nice shots that were saved. Norcross had another bid that Jimenez denied.

“I think we started getting tired in the second half,” said Dow.

Lewiston even sent more players forward in an effort to spark the offense. Mariah Carrier had a header to the left side that Landry stopped. She also had a free kick that got loose in front. Mikaela St. Laurent was there but couldn’t get a try at the rebound.

With overtime seeming likely, Lever won the ball in the left corner and sent it toward the front of the net. It glanced off Norcross and went to toward Clavet.

“It bounced off a few of our girls,” said Clavet. “It was in the air. I just kind of kicked it with my laces and it went in.”

With Jimenez playing as well as she was, Clavet knew she had to be precise.

“I knew I had to get a hold of it and there was only one minute left,” she said. “Their goalie did amazing. She was right in front of me. So I just went to the left of the net.”

Clavet and Jimenez were both named the MVP’s of the game.

“They put more pressure on than we applied to them,” said Dow. “It’s a game of pressure and who’s going to break. We ended up breaking before they did.”

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