Freshman Lila Cummings blasted a low liner into the net nine minutes into the second half that proved to be the game winner, as Penobscot Valley defeated Central Aroostook 2-1 in a Class D semifinal girls soccer game on Friday.
PVHS struck first just five minutes into the contest, as Holly Loring made a long run up the right wing. As she got toward the 18 yard line, she sent a low and hard pass across the middle where Ellie Austin was there to score the goal. The teams went back and forth on attacks, and then the Panthers got the equalizer at the 20 minute mark. A right side attack was cleared out by a Howler defender, but it found the left foot of Izabel Pryor, who one-touched it into the lower right corner tying the game. The score remained 1-1 through halftime.
Cummings’ goal was set up by Kaya Loring, who passed it across the top of the 18 to Lila to register the assist. Central Aroostook’s best opportunities came off set plays like corner kicks and direct kicks. Penobscot Valley had some close opportunities late in the game, including two high shots by Cummings that keeper Kira Fitzherbert caught and batted over the post respectively.
With the win, the Howlers will play Ashland in Presque Isle on Tuesday at 6:30 for the Northern Maine Championship. Excluding 2020 (when there were no regional championships due to Covid), this will third straight finals appearance for PVHS. Lauryn Smart saved five of six shots in net, to help her team improve to 15-0-1 on the season.
Fitzherbert recorded six saves on 17 shots for the Panthers, who ended their season with a 11-6 record.
