BEDFORD, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) The Keene High School field hockey team’s remarkable two-year run came to an end Saturday night, as Bedford defended its home turf and captured its first-ever NHIAA Division I championship with a 2–1 win over the top-seeded Blackbirds.

Although state finals are typically scheduled at neutral sites, Bedford High has long served as the host venue for the tournament — a setting that this year gave the Bulldogs a built-in advantage. Playing before a loud home crowd, Bedford struck twice in the second quarter to seize momentum and never let it go.

After a scoreless opening period, Bedford’s Teagan O’Donnell fired a sharp shot from the left side of the circle that rattled the back of the cage midway through the second. Less than three minutes later, the Bulldogs doubled their lead when Grace Wolf redirected a shot that teammate Mary Lenti followed up and finished for a 2–0 advantage.

Keene, which hadn’t trailed by two goals in more than two seasons, struggled to break through Bedford’s disciplined defense. The Blackbirds finally got on the board in the fourth quarter when senior Mckenna Nelson buried a penalty stroke into the upper-right corner with just over 10 minutes remaining.

Goalkeeper Dayna English turned aside several late shots to keep Keene within reach, but the defending champions couldn’t find the equalizer. Their final rush into the circle was smothered by Bedford’s defense as time expired.

English finished with nine saves for Keene, which earned eight penalty corners to Bedford’s five. Despite their efforts, the Blackbirds couldn’t replicate last year’s title magic.

Keene closes its season at 16–2–1, while Bedford ends at 17–1–1. The loss also marks the final game for six Keene seniors — Nelson, Olive Thatcher, Emily Antosiewicz, Emma Petrovich, Maddie Boudle, and Ella Rice — who helped guide the program to consecutive championship appearances and one title.

It wasn’t the ending they hoped for, but the Blackbirds’ two-year stretch will be remembered as one of the most successful in school history.