Winslow rallies to tip Wildcats Raiders erase 3-goal PI lead

WINSLOW – Overcoming a three-goal deficit on a slippery field with less than 25 minutes remaining was the daunting obstacle facing the Winslow High School Black Raiders Saturday in their Eastern Maine Class B boys soccer final against Presque Isle.

But the explosive and highly skilled Raiders did just that, scoring four times in a span of 10:46 to earn their second straight title and a rematch with three-time defending state champion Falmouth (16-0-1) on Saturday.

No. 2 seed Winslow improved to 15-1-1 while No. 5 Presque Isle finished 12-3-3.

“Once they got their momentum, they just kept rolling and we couldn’t really stop them, I guess,” said standout Presque Isle midfielder and tri-captain Benji Lynch.

First-half goals by Robert Gartley and Nate Carter and Gartley’s goal 6:04 into the second half supplied the Wildcats with their 3-0 lead although the Black Raiders had more possession and the better scoring chances.

Colby Carrier began the comeback with 24:35 left and his steal and pass set up Oren Smith’s goal just 14 seconds later.

Carrier tied the match with 20:14 remaining and Drew Smith scored the winner 6:25 later.

Carrier’s first goal resulted from a Drew Smith throw-in from the left side.

“Joe Corey headed it, their goalie [Brad Baker] juggled it and I poked it in,” said Carrier.

Presque Isle coach Scott Young said he didn’t think a Black Raider touched the ball.

“One of our guys headed it and our goalie mishandled it,” said Young. “We played outstanding defense in the first half but after that goal, we came completely unraveled.”

On the ensuing kickoff, Lynch lost his footing in the midfield mud and Drew Smith stole it and fed Oren Smith, who broke through and converted from 14 yards out.

“Drew played an excellent ball right to me. I made a run and the goalie gave me a little room to the lower left-hand corner,” said Oren Smith.

“That second goal really kicked them in the butt and got them going,” said Presque Isle sweeper and tri-captain Chase Higgins.

“That goal changed the game,” agreed Drew Smith.

Moments later, Corey’s 19-yard free kick hit the Wildcat wall but squirted through to Carrier.

“I took a shot and it hit the goalie. A couple of guys hit it, I got lucky because it came back to me, I hit it as hard as I could and it went in,” said Carrier.

Drew Smith’s game-winning header came directly off a Taylor Helberg throw-in from the left side.

“I’ve scored several goals off Taylor’s throw-ins. I don’t move that much but people don’t even mark me. I was right in the middle with everyone else and he knew I was going to be there,” said Drew Smith. “I usually try to put it to the far side.”

Gartley opened the scoring with a nifty back-heel off a loose ball created by a Carter corner.

Carter made it 2-0 by converting a Jeff Cole pass with a rising 16-yard blast to the far corner.

Gartley’s second goal of the game and third of the year came when he converted the rebound of a Derek Belanger shot that was fumbled by Winslow goalie Eric Pendleton (six saves on 20 shots).

Baker made 13 saves on 44 shots and Winslow hit the post four times.