The Penobscot Valley boys soccer team captured the Northern Maine Championship in Mars Hill Wednesday night, by beating Central Aroostook 3-2.
The Howlers came out fast, and ended up scoring only a minute and a half into the game. Reece Carter’s shot attempt from outside the 18 was blocked by defender Ethan Pryor. The rebound bounced off another defender, right to Grant Kidon’s feet near the penalty kick line. After sidestepping a few defenders, he shot right past kepper Brayden Bradbury to make it a 1-0 game.
From this point on it was a battle, as both teams had numerous good shots just miss. PVHS’ Brad McKechnie’s low liner was deflected by Bradbury’s fingertips and then off the post. The talented duo of CA’s Hunter Wardwell and Ben Thomas had some good opportunities as well. Finally at the eleven minute mark in the first half, Wardwell found some daylight and sent a hard shot to goalie Elijah Wood’s right. Wood was able to deflect the ball, but left wing Samuel Rowe was there to stuff it in the net.
Less than three minutes later, CA struck again. This time it came from a Penalty Kick, when Howler Sweeper Bradon Blish collided with Wardwell. Ben Thomas took the PK and put it just out of reach of Wood’s hands. The game remained 2-1 at the half.
In the second half, Penobscot Valley came out sluggish early and the Panthers controlled the ball more often. After the first ten minutes however, the Howlers started to possess the ball more frequently, and started to get better looks on net. Then Grant Kidon struck again at the 21:00 mark, as he took a pass from Zach Doore, made a move to the left, and scored over Bradbury’s head to tie up the game.
PVHS continued to apply pressure, and less than three minutes later were awarded a corner kick. Zach Doore sent the corner toward the back post area, and Reece Carter headed the ball toward the opposite corner, just over sweeper Lane Grass’ attempted header, giving the Howlers a 3-2 lead.
Both teams continued to have near misses. Zach Doore’s shot was saved by a diving Bradbury with under 15 minutes to go. Then, with under three minutes to play, Bryan Anthony fired a hard shot from just outside the 18. Wood made a diving stop, but the ball trickled behind him, slowly bouncing toward the goal line. He quickly got up and pounced on the ball before it got over, while players where sprinting around him. 3-2 was the final score.
Central Aroostook suffered their first loss of the season, and finish at 16-1 on the year. Brayden Bradbury saved 5 of 12 shots for the Panthers, who finished as Northern Maine runner up for the second year in a row.
Penobscot Valley, who lost to CA in the semifinals a year ago (2-1), improve to 16-1 and will face North Yarmouth Academy in Bath Maine at 5:30 on Saturday. This is the Howler’s first trip to the State game since 1991. Elijah Wood stopped 8 of 14 shots for PVHS, who extended their winning streak to 15 games. Click here for all the high school soccer regional results and state championship schedule.
