LEBANON — There was once this Gerry Cheevers chap. He was a goaltender who backstopped the NHL’s Boston Bruins to a pair of Stanley Cups. “Cheesie” became New England sports royalty en route to 1985 induction in his sport’s Hall of Fame.

Friday, on a different sort of surface, Lebanon High’s Meg Cheevers staged a performance worthy of her old-time namesake. The junior field hockey goalie made an astounding 22 saves before the Raiders fell, 2-1, in overtime during the NHIAA Division II teams’ season opener.

A backup the past two seasons who made only her third varsity start, Cheevers doesn’t possess the eye-catching athleticism of her graduated predecessor, All-State honoree Ashlee Blashock. Cheevers’ ability to stymie the powerful Sabers, division finalists three of the last four years, was instead all effort.

Much of the third quarter was played not just in Lebanon’s end of the field, but inside its penalty area. Souhegan took 17 penalty corners to the hosts’ four and repeatedly swarmed around Cheevers, who dived, rolled, slid and crawled during a humid afternoon that left her gasping for breath.

Purists would prefer to see a goaltender remain on her feet more often, but there’s no questioning No. 00’s determination.

“I think about what’s going on too much, so I just tell myself to stay cool, calm and collected,” Cheevers said. “I’m going crazy in my head sometimes, worrying about what’s to come rather than staying present in the moment.”

Late in the game, the goaltender struggled to her feet and wobbled for several steps before coming to a swaying halt. Defender Lindsey Stark crept alongside to check on Cheevers, who nodded that she was OK and soldiered on.

“There were some saves where I didn’t even know how she made them,” said Lebanon coach Amanda Valliere. “You can’t have more heart than Meg showed today.”

Cheevers’ high motor was echoed by her teammates, who hustled across their field’s thick, damp grass to obstruct passing lanes and contest every loose ball. When your goaltender plays as if her life depends on the outcome, it’s difficult not to be swept up in the intensity.

“That was a seriously defensive game for us, but I like that we went into overtime with a goal, that it wasn’t 0-0,” Valliere said. “Souhegan owned the ball more than we did, but our defense did a fantastic job. When we got the ball, we moved it, which we had been working on.”

Lebanon defenders Stark, Abigail Gallagher and Gabby Mahew fought valiantly on the back line. In the midfield, America Carmona delivered long, smooth hits up the right wing, while Savannah Therriault dogged opponents whenever they had possession.

Speedy forward Mackenzie Ray pulled the Raiders into a tie five minutes into the second quarter, not long after Souhegan had opened the scoring. The junior’s willingness to play equally hard on defense was crucial to keeping Lebanon competitive.

The contest’s deciding sequence came in cruel fashion five minutes into sudden-death overtime.

Cheevers, playing well off her line, hustled to her left, pursuing a loose ball alongside Souhegan’s Ariana Goulet. The pair lunged, Goulet swinging over the ball as Cheevers dived in front of her.

The referee’s shrill whistle sounded with both players sprawled on the turf. Obstruction on the goaltender was the ruling, resulting in a successful penalty stroke and a Souhegan victory.

“I don’t think I touched her, but that’s the call that was made,” Cheevers said.

The handshake line moved a little slower than usual, multiple Sabers taking extra time to congratulate Cheevers on her performance. The Bank Street resident was on the money all afternoon.

“She was phenomenal, and she didn’t give up,” said Valliere, whose squad visits Milford on Tuesday. “Her clears were great and she was smart; that’s what I really noticed. She knows where to send the ball.

“I’m not about losing, but it’s hard to be disappointed today. Our team discovered how good it can be, it set the bar high.”

Tris Wykes can be reached at twykes@vnews.com.