Beavers shut out PVHS for EM title
By Kevin Sjoberg
Sports Reporter
WASHBURN — Following back-and-forth play for most of the first half, sophomore MacKenzie Worcester netted goals 80 seconds apart, with an intermission in between, to lift the Washburn girls to a 3-0 victory over Penobscot Valley High School of Howland Thursday and the first Eastern Maine championship in the sport in school history.
WASHBURN SOPHOMORE Catelyn Coulombe wins a ball out of the air against PVHS’s Meghan Howey during Thursday’s Eastern Maine Class D soccer final. 
The Beavers won, 3-0.
Worcester came close to breaking the scoreless tie with 11:12 to play in the first half when her hard shot from the right side was deflected by Howland goalkeeper Samantha Ireland, who then had to chase the ball down before it crossed the goal line.
Just over 10 minutes later, with 35 seconds to play until intermission, Worcester took a shot from around the same position and this time it caromed off the left crossbar and across the line and into the net.
“We had a defender follow her most of the game and she didn’t have a lot of opportunities, but that was a great shot,” said PVHS coach Ryan Reed.
The Beavers made it 2-0 just 45 seconds into the second half when Worcester scored off a Maegan Fitzpatrick assist.
PVHS put some pressure on midway through the half. Logan Tozier’s shot from 20 yards out was just right of the post and Bethany Heald’s direct kick from 25 yards away was caught by Washburn goalkeeper Rayah Saucier.
The hosts secured the win with 16:30 to play when Laina Mette took a Carmen Bragg pass and sent a shot past Ireland for the final goal of the match.
The shutout was the 20th of Saucier’s career, tying the mark owned by Amber Palmer. Senior stopper Olivia Doody said her team takes pride in its defense, which has held opponents without a goal eight times this season.
“We try to talk a lot and cover for each other when (sweeper) Catelyn Coulombe goes out to get the ball or when Rayah comes out,” Doody said. “We did that very well today.”
Worcester’s two goals were the 59th and 60th of her career, adding to her school record.
