DEXTER– Avery Herrick and Payton Grant may be freshmen. They came through like upperclassmen on Friday afternoon. The duo each scored one goal in leading the Dexter girls soccer team to a 2-1 win over Central in a Maine Principals’ Association class C semifinal game.
“They (Herrick and Grant) have been integral parts of our team all season long,”Dexter coach Jody Grant said. “They were on the spot and put the ball in the net, I am happy for them.”
The Tigers held a 1-0 halftime lead on a Herrick goal with 4:13 left in the half. Dexter fell 7-2 at home to Central during the regular season. The Tigers came in with a defensive mindset. They had players all around Red Devils leading scorer Sydney Allen the entire game.
Coach Grant said, “we just tried to have more of a defensive mindset.”
The Red Devils got their only goal when Madison Speed nailed a direct kick into the top corner of the net with 12:42 left in the second half. The freshman Grant showed she had a strong foot on her when she gave the Tigers a lead they wouldn’t give back with 11 minutes remaining.
Rachel Smith had 10 saves for the Red Devils. Central finishes their season with a record of 11-4-1. Addyson Herrick recorded nine saves for the Tigers. Dexter (12-4) will play in the regional final against Houlton or Orono on Wednesday, November 1st.
