GARDINER — One by one, tired, exuberant and, in some cases cold, Gardiner field hockey players took turns posing for photos with one of the most prized possessions the team can win during its season.

A boot.

The Tigers earned footwear with a 3-0 win over rival Cony in a Class B matchup Monday night at Hoch Field. The boot, which Gardiner hadn’t won since 2022, is emblematic of the Cony-Gardiner rivalry.

“It always feels good to beat Cony but with the boot involved, it makes it that much better,” said Gardiner senior Brynnlea Chaisson, who had a goal.

Chaisson, Avery MacMaster and Abby McGee scored for the Tigers (5-1), who have won five straight since falling to Nokomis in their Sept. 4 opener.

“I think we’ve just been applying a lot of what we’ve been doing in practice to our games,” MacMaster said. “Especially at the beginning of the season, I think it’s good that we’re clicking. That’s the extra confidence we need.”

Cony fell to 2-3.

Gardiner took a 1-0 lead with 9:01 left in the first quarter when Chaisson was able to slip in a shot during a scrum in front of the Cony cage.

McGee made it 2-0 in the second quarter, tapping in a rebound in front of Cony goalkeeper Courtney Ramage. MacMaster also scored on a rebound in the third quarter.

Ramage made nine saves for Cony.

How did they get there?

Confidence and a strong offensive attack. While the Tigers have been on the short end of the rivalry game each of the past two seasons, they showed no fear. And after Chaisson’s goal in the first quarter, the confidence level grew.

Gardiner also showed off strong passing, using the artificial turf of Hoch Field to move the ball quickly, giving breakaway opportunities for potential goals.

“We’ve been talking in practice about taking those long chances and taking some risks,” Gardiner coach Jess Merrill said. “We’ve got the speed up front and we’ve got the talent up front; we can slice through and we’re working on those cuts. It lengthens the field for us so that people have to mark our speed.”

Key moment

Chiasson’s goal in the first quarter seemed to set the tempo for the Tigers.

“With a lot of us being upperclassmen, confidence is a huge (key to success),” Chaisson said. “It’s really starting to show off now when it counts.”

Merrill added: “Early in the season, we’ve had some trouble getting (the ball) in the circle and having those opportunities. For us to score early and have those opportunities early, it’s a huge confidence builder.”

Rivalry game for a cause

This was the 17th Drive Out Cancer Challenge game between Cony and Gardiner. Each year the teams recognize honorary captains from each program who have battled cancer. For Gardiner, this year’s captain was Vern Tourtelotte, grandfather of senior Taylor Hebert.

Cony had three posthumous captains — Elizabeth Crystal Desmond (grandmother of senior Avery Maxim), Shawn Monson (father of senior Casey Monson) and David Roes (grandfather of senior Ashley Olson) — as well as John Foss, father of senior Kelsey Foss.

The purpose for the Drive Out Cancer Challenge is to raise awareness of families affected by cancer in Maine, with an effort to raise money for the Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care.

“It’s awesome that we get to come together and do what we love for a good cause,” MacMaster said. “That’s just a good feeling.”

Statistical leaders

Gardiner: Brynnlea Chaisson (1 goal), Avery MacMaster (1 goal), Abby McGee (1 goal)

Cony: Courtney Ramage (9 saves)