By Jon Gulliver
Staff writer
The Central Aroostook Panthers have come up with big wins when they needed them this soccer season and their biggest test comes today downstate taking on the No. 1-seeded Bangor Christian Patriots in the Eastern Maine Class D boys championship. The game is at 2 p.m. in Hampden behind the Weatherbee School.
Aroostook Republican photo/Jon Gulliver
Washburn freshman Kenny Irving races the ball up the sideline in a quarterfinal match against Woodland. The Beavers moved on in the playoffs with a 1-0 win.
Panther coach Dave Collins says the Patriots will pose a tough challenge. He said they are a mature team and won’t rattle easily.
“We will have to play the way we are capable of playing by passing the ball and spreading the field,” Collins said. “We are pretty skilled in most of our positions and our speed will match up with any team we play.”
The Panthers made the EM final by topping the visiting Washburn Beavers on Friday. Joe Stiles scored with a little less than three and a half minutes in regulation to give CAHS the 4-3 win. Stiles’ goal was a mere 13 seconds after a goal by Washburn’s Mitchell Worcester, which tied the game.
“When Washburn scored to tie the game, the guys didn’t hang their heads and were determined to get the goal right back and pushed themselves to do so,” said the Panther coach.
Brandon Anthony also played a strong game for the Panthers, showing quick moves and tallying two goals. Brendan York also scored for Central Aroostook. Ross Grass made six saves on 13 shots.
Jordan McLaughlin scored the first two goals for the Beavers, who finished their season at 13-3-1. Zach Davis made seven saves on 28 shots.
Here’s a recap of Washburn’s quarterfinal game:
Washburn 4, Woodland 3 — At Washburn on Wednesday, Worcester scored a goal in each half and assisted on the other two, including Alex Pelletier’s game-winner with 14:48 left, to lead the Beavers to victory.
McLaughlin scored in the second half for Washburn and set up Worcester’s second goal. Pelletier’s score made it 4-2.
Coach Ben Goodwin said the Worcester and McLaughlin sparked the attack in the second half after a sluggish first half.
“They helped reorganize our offensive attack to put a lot of pressure on Woodland’s unorthodox defense,” said Goodwin.
Washburn keeper Davis made five saves on 12 shots.
