In Howland Friday, Penobscot Valley boys tried to avenge their only loss of the season, as they hosted the Schenck Wolverines. Schenck had beaten the Howlers 2-1 on September 5th, on which was each team’s second game of the season.
Friday’s game remained deadlocked at 0 at the half. PVHS had some close opportunities off corner kicks, but the shots ended up sailing over the crossbar. The Howlers struck early in the second half, when Grant Kidon held the ball about 30 yards out from the goal-line. He sent a chip to Brad McKechnie, who was streaking hard from the opposite side. As McKechnie and goalie Tyrone Davis converged on the ball, neither could get a touch on it, as the ball split them and trickled into the back of the net. Kidon was credited for the goal.
Schenck kept battling, keeping it a one goal game until under 7 minutes remaining. McKechnie controlled the ball in the center of the field and sent a beautiful lead pass to Nick Reed, who was sprinting toward the left corner ahead of the defense. Nick corralled it and started attacking the near side post, drawing Davis to that side. Reed put a pass across the 6-yard line to Zach Mitchell, where he one-touched the ball into the net for his first Varsity goal. 2-0 would be the final score.
Both goalies were outstanding in net, as Davis and PVHS’ Elijah Wood are two of the most athletic goalies in all of class D. Wood saved 12 of 15 shots for the Howlers, while Davis turned away 15 of the 29 shots he faced. Penobscot Valley improves to 10-1, and will travel to Bangor Christian on Monday. Schenck falls to 7-4 and goes to Mattanawcook Academy next Wednesday.
