Broncos keep upsetting foes, win first title> Eagles, Lakers also victorious

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The No. 6 Hampden Broncos continued their string of schoolboy soccer playoff upsets as they beat No. 4 Messalonskee 2-0 to pick up their first Eastern Maine Class A title.

The Broncos scored two second-half goals and remained unscored upon in the playoffs as they advanced to the state game.

The state championship games for all classes will be held Saturday at neutral sites to be determined later in the week.

Two other teams also recorded their first Eastern Maine titles on Monday.

In Class C, George Stevens Academy of Blue Hill topped Piscataquis Community High School of Guilford 3-0 for its first title and in Class D, Greenville and Wisdom of St. Agatha went to overtime before the Lakers scored to capture their first title.

Camden-Rockport dispatched Ellsworth 2-1 to reserve their place in the state game.

In Western Maine, No. 1 Georges Valley of Thomaston scored a 3-0 victory over Falmouth to advance to the state game.

Class A

Hampden 2, Messalonskee 0

At Oakland, Matt Knaide and Gabe Brooks each scored goals to give the upset-minded Broncos the Eastern Maine title.

The 13-4 Broncos remain unscored upon in the playoffs with the victory.

“Defense wins ballgames,” said Hampden coach Andy Frace. “In the playoffs, not a lot of opportunities arise, so you have to capitalize on them.”

Hampden did.

Knaide opened the scoring with 16:16 left in the game.

The goal started on a direct kick from outside the 18-yard line. The rebound went to Ryan Janicki, who passed to Knaide on the left side. Knaide placed a shot along the ground that beat Messalonskee goalie Mike Spolyar.

Brooks’ goal came only 38 seconds later.

“The field conditions weren’t the greatest,” said Frace. “I told the players to keep the ball outside .

Jeff Meinhart heeded that advice when he stole the ball and streaked down the right side, beating a defender. He then sent a crossfield pass with his left foot to Brooks who one-timed it with his right foot into the net.

Dan Martin made six saves on eight shots for the win.

Messalonskee also entered the game unscored upon in the playoffs. Spolyar made five saves on 12 shots.

The game was very exciting according to Messalonskee coach Peter Dewdney.

“There were a lot of good chances at both ends,” said Dewdney.

Messalonskee ends the season 11-3-3.

Class C

George Stevens 3, Piscataquis 0

At Blue Hill, center striker Travis Vogell scored two goals to lead George Stevens Academy to the title.

Alejandro Montiel opened the scoring for the Eagles only 4:23 into the game.

The goal came off a throw in from the left side of the field.

“Brock Mattson threw the ball long and Montiel cut to the middle and headed it,” said George Stevens coach Dan Kane. “The goalie caught it, but couldn’t stop it before it went in.”

Montiel and Dave Marancik assisted on Vogell’s goals. Vogell leads GSA with 20 goals on the season. Joe Kilch made three saves on 11 shots for 15-1-1 George Stevens.

George Stevens had a decisive advantage in shots that was aided by a strong wind.

“The wind was going with us in the first half,” said Kane. “They [Piscataquis] had a hard time clearing it.”

Tony Draper made 13 saves on 27 shots as Piscataquis finished the season at 12-4-1.

Class D

Greenville 1, Wisdom 0 (OT)

At Greenville, Jeremy Philbrook took a crossing pass from Pat Libby and found the net with 2:25 left in the first overtime to give the No. 1 Lakers the Eastern Maine title.

“I’m still in shock,” said elated Greenville coach Steve Lizotte.

With leading scorer Mike Burgess being double-teamed, Greenville tried to stretch the field.

“They were double teaming Mike so we pushed the ball wide to try to open the field,” said Lizotte. “With the defense forced wide, it left Jeremy open.”

Philbrook converted for his sixth goal and 11th point of the season.

The Lakers held a 21-11 shot advantage in the wind-plagued game, but neither goalie was tested. Josh Glavine made eight saves for 13-2-1 Greenville.

Jeff Michaud was a standout on defense for the Pioneers. Chad Bouchard made nine saves on 21 shots as Wisdom finished the season 12-3-2.

Western Maine Class C

Georges Valley 3, Falmouth 0

At Thomaston, Nick Delaney had a goal and an assist to earn the Buccaneers a victory and a berth in the state game

Delaney scored with 1:36 left in the first half when he picked up a loose ball and placed the ball in the upper-right corner of the net. He then took a Troy Watts corner kick and crossed it over to Jarod Hall, as he put it past Falmouth goalie Matt Parker. Jarred Orff rounded out the scoring off a feed from Taylor Witham.

Goalie Marc LaChance sent back 10 of 11 as Georges Valley moves to 12-3-1.

Parker rejected 16 of 19 shots for Falmouth which, finished at 14-3.