Foreign student scores winner No. 1 Van Buren tips BC Patriots

VAN BUREN – Foreign exchange student Mahabola Masemola is going to leave the United States next month with some fond memories, but none better than Saturday’s overtime goal in the Eastern Maine Class D schoolboy soccer championship.

The goal, that came about eight minutes into overtime, propelled the Crusaders to a 2-1 win over the Bangor Christian Patriots and into next weekend’s state final. Van Buren will face the Western Maine champion Wayneflete Flyers (10-4), who toppled Richmond, 4-2, also Saturday.

Masemola will return to his home in South Africa in late November after being in this northern Aroostook County town for most of 2001. After the game, he was thrilled with the victory and happy to be part of the Crusaders’ season.

“It’s an overwhelming feeling to be a part of,” Masemola said. “The team went out to do it … and did.”

Masemola’s goal was assisted by Jeremy Chasse.

The game-winner came after the two teams traded goals during 80 minutes of regulation play. Bangor Christian started the scoring about halfway through the first half when senior forward Kliton Xhemali broke away from the Van Buren defense for the goal, assisted by senior Matt Conley.

After the break, Van Buren responded as junior wing Tyler Hews knotted the score at 1-1 just 15 seconds into the second half, breaking away on the right side of the field. His goal was assisted by Jesse Parent.

Both teams had several chances to score in regulation, but the defenses were solid and physical. While rain held off for the entire game, the field was wet and slippery and temperatures were in the low 40s. Van Buren athletic officials estimated that about 400 people turned out for the game, including a large group from Bangor Christian.

“In the first half, Bangor Christian had the momentum,” said Van Buren coach Steve LaPierre, who has been coaching the team since 1979. But, we came out, playing to win and not to lose, in the second half. Tyler’s goal really energized us for the rest of the game.”

Keepers for both teams made several game-saving grabs throughout regulation and the overtime period. For Bangor Christian, D.J. McCleary made eight saves on 13 shots while Crusader Sean Violette made six saves on 10 shots.

“This was the type of game you’d expect to see in an Eastern Maine final,” said LaPierre. “Both defenses were solid and the goalies were great. It’s the kind of game where it’s too bad somebody had to lose.”

The Crusaders, who had the wind at their backs during the second half, won the coin flip before the overtime period and elected to take the same advantage first. With overtimes being sudden death, LaPierre said it was a factor.

Both teams had played three previous playoff games. Van Buren was the top seed in the EM tournament and had hosted games since the first round. Bangor Christian, seeded fourth, had been on the road since its opening round. The Patriots had traveled to Aroostook County last weekend as well, beating the Fort Fairfield Tigers, also in overtime.

Bangor Christian coach Paul Jago was disappointed with the outcome, but praised Van Buren’s game.

“They played extremely well, better than I expected,” he said. “We just didn’t play our style of game and Van Buren outplayed us. I’m disappointed that we didn’t play as well as we’re capable of.”

The Patriots end their season, advancing to their first EM final, with a 12-5-1 mark. The Crusaders continue on with a 15-3 record. Their last appearance in the state final was in 1999 after being ousted in the quarterfinals last season.

“We just have to come out again, do the same things and play our game,” LaPierre said. “If we do, I expect we’ll have a good chance.”