By Kevin Sjoberg
Sports Reporter
ST. AGATHA, Maine — The 10th-ranked Central Aroostook Panthers held the early lead in their preliminary playoff matchup, but could not hold it in a 2-1 loss to No. 7 Wisdom Friday. CA first-year coach Ty Thurlow gave the hosts credit for capitalizing on what he said were the only mistakes his team’s defense made all game.
After Zach McClung scored on a long shot taken in the first half from just inside the midfield stripe after seeing Pioneer goalkeeper Chance Gervais standing nearly on the 18-yard line, Wisdom’s Shane Chamberland had the equalizer 26 seconds later.
Chamberland had taken an initial shot that was saved by CA goalkeeper Spencer Garrison, but Thurlow said Chamberland charged the ball off the rebound and knocked it in.
“Our defense stood flat-footed,” Thurlow said.
The game-winning goal by Chamberland, which came in the second half, was the result of a miscommunication by a pair of Panther defenders, according to Thurlow.
“Both spoke, but neither moved to the ball and by the time [Garrison] noticed the miscommunication, he charged the ball hard and arrived a half a step late,” Thurlow said.
Garrison ended up with 11 saves in goal for CA.
Overall, the coach was happy with the play of the Panthers, who ended up with a 4-8-3 record.
“Our effort was solid … demonstrative of the type of soccer we have been capable of all season but have only showcased four or five times,” he said. “The game was evenly matched, with each team playing solid defense and having a few decent looks at the goal.
Thurlow said it was a learning season for both he and the team.
“I needed to learn the skills and abilities of the players, and they needed to learn a new system under my guidance,” he said. “My players are wonderful students of the game, soaking up many lessons that could be seen with each passing game.
“One season is not nearly enough time to see the true progression of education, and with that we are looking forward to the next few seasons to gain even more success,” he added.
