Bishop Guertin's Jordan Gaebel and Keene's Maddie Boudle battle over a loose ball in front of the Cardinals net in the first half on Monday at Keene High. (Photo by Michael McMahon/Keene Sentinel)

KEENE — It had all the feelings of a tournament game, and both Bishop Guertin and Keene left Monday’s 1-1 draw hoping for another shot to take on the other side.

Bishop Guertin became the first team this season to play the Blackbirds and not leave with a loss, as the Cardinals (8-1-1) rallied to score in the third quarter to nullify a first-half deficit.

Sophia Bilodeau tucked home a loose ball in front of the goal following a BG corner with 4:36 remaining in the third, setting up a frantic final quarter and overtime period as both teams fought tooth and nail for a game-winner.

The Cardinals came to Keene (9-0-1) and let their voices be heard as the BG bench bellowed from the opening whistle.

“We knew we were going to have to bring it today,” said BG coach Dakota Bilodeau. “We knew the level we were going to have to play at, and that everyone was going to have to be at.”

But a back-and-forth opening quarter led to a stalemate of a first half until the final minute before the break. Keene opened the scoring when Olive Thatcher tipped a shot from Sophia Miller at the top of the circle on a corner opportunity with 40 ticks left before halftime.

That mellowed the Cardinals until Bilodeau evened things midway through the third, and from there BG took over momentum until the end of regulation. The Cardinals had back-to-back corner opportunities in the final two minutes of the fourth but could not find the breakthrough.

Bilodeau had a breakaway opportunity three minutes into the 7-on-7 overtime, but had her shot kicked away by Keene goalie Lilly Rowell.

Ayla Saeturn was credited with four saves in BG’s goal. Rowell made three stops in goal for the Blackbirds. Penalty corners were even 7-7.

“It was a little intense,” said Keene High coach Michelle Tiani. “A little back and forth is good, we don’t want everything easy. … We’re satisfied with how hard they played. They never gave up, they never stopped fighting. In our minds that feels like a win.”

“We knew they were going to be a good, fast, skilled team,” said Dakota Bilodeau. “You have to play fast and play your game. But we know we’re a good team and that we can play with anybody in this state. They’re undefeated but we weren’t really looking at that. … Hopefully we see them again, and I think we will.”