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LYNN — The Newburyport girls soccer team’s march for a second consecutive state title has only one step remaining.

The Clippers advanced to the Division 3 state final last evening with a 1-0 double-overtime victory over Division 3 South sectional champion Cohasset. Only 22 seconds remained before the game entered its final stage — penalty kicks — when Hannah McCormick kept Newburyport’s run for back-to-back titles intact. She scored the goal from 12 yards out, slipping a high shot past Cohasset goalie Johanna Brophy.

NEWBURYPORT — The opening two rounds of the state tournament have been nothing short of target practice for the Newburyport girls soccer team over the past three seasons.

The Clippers posted their sixth consecutive pre-semifinal round shutout yesterday, beating North Reading, 2-0, in the EMass. Division 3 North quarterfinal at Cherry Hill Park. The second-seeded Clippers received a goal and an assist from junior Veronica Poirier. Senior Taylor Bresnahan added a goal, and classmate Laura Muise had an assist.

Jillian Kinter scored a goal 30 minutes into the game for Newburyport (14-2-2). She received a pass from Taylor Bresnahan, who had advanced the ball 30 yards into Bishop Fenwick territory. The Clippers will begin their pursuit of a Division 3 title next Friday in the opening round.

Behind goals from Taylor Bresnahan and Laura Muise, Newburyport retained the ALS Cup defeating Pentucket, 2-0. Jillian Kinter also had an assist.

Goals from Gabby Martin and Jillian Kinter in the first half gave Newburyport a solid win over Triton, 2-0.

Taylor Bresnahan, who coach Robb Gonnam said was magnificent going goal line to goal, had an assist as did Mary Ryan.

At the 19:58 mark in the game Newburyport hit the post against its Hamilton-Wenham opponents, and over the next three minutes the Clippers came to life scoring three times before routing the Generals, 5-1.

Scoreless at halftime, Newburyport found itself down 2-0 when Lynnfield struck from 55 yards out and 30 yards out on two spectacular shots. However, the Clippers regrouped and tied the game with goals from Veronica Poirier and Jillian Kinter, which were both assisted by Laura Muise.

Newburyport got back to its winning ways playing a much improved game defeating Ipswich, 2-0.

Taylor Bresnahan and Sarah Casey had goals for the Clippers and Jillian Kinter, Laura Muise, and Shawn Criffo had assists.

North Andover handed defending state champion Newburyport its second straight loss, winning 3-1. The Scarlet Knights jumped out quickly, scoring all three goals in the first 10 minutes of the first half.

For the first time in the career of any of the current Newburyport players the Clipper lost consecutive games as North Andover struck three times in the first 15 minutes of the game.

The only consolation, Newburyport's Jillian Kinter broke the tie with former Clipper Kristin Mahoney for the school's all-time mark with her 77th career goal.