Pandas win 5th straight EM ‘D’ title Lee shuts out Limestone

LEE – The individual medals didn’t arrive at Lee Academy in time for the postgame ceremony, but that’s OK for much of the Lee girls soccer team. The Pandas know they’ll get their medals eventually. And besides, they can go home and look at four years’ worth of regional soccer awards.

Powered by a goal and two assists from Aarika Ritchie, the No. 1 Pandas won their fifth straight Eastern Maine Class D title Friday afternoon, shutting down No. 2 Limestone-Maine School of Science and Mathematics 3-0 at Linscott Field.

Lee, now 17-0, moves on to the Class D state championship game Nov. 5. The Lakers will face the winner of today’s Western Maine final between Richmond and Greenville.

The site of the state game has yet to be determined.

Senior sweeper Liz Read wasn’t as impressed by the five EM titles as she was by what she heard from Lee athletic director Randy Harris during the postgame ceremony – this year’s crop of seniors is undefeated at home.

“After he said that I got excited,” Read said. “I’m surprised. I didn’t realize that.”

Lee scored all three of its goals in the first half, which is the first time the Pandas have scored before halftime in the postseason.

In fact, Lee got things going downright early, as Amanda Gifford squeezed a tight shot past Limestone goalie Melanie Allen and into the left side of the net almost seven minutes into the game. Read started the play with a direct kick to Ritchie, who passed the ball ahead to Gifford.

“We kind of had the middle open a lot, so off that direct kick I was open and Amanda cut through,” Ritchie said. “… I think we came out more intense [than previous games] and won more balls in the air.”

Ritchie also helped on Kimmy Thurlow’s goal. Ritchie took a shot, which Allen was able to gather in, but the goalie lost control of the ball and Thurlow had an open shot.

Brooke Harris recorded the assist on Ritchie’s goal.

Ritchie, Thurlow, and Gifford have combined for 66 goals so far this year.

But the Eagles, who wrap up their season with an 11-4-2 record, didn’t make it easy for the Pandas. Lee was called offsides five times in the first half and twice more in the second.

“They are quick, so it was real hard to do,” Limestone coach Mike Dugal said of his team’s offsides trap. “Five times is a real big accomplishment because they’re fast.”

Despite leaving the game for a few minutes after a collision in the first half, Allen had a solid second half with seven saves on 11 shots. She had 12 saves on 24 shots and Julie Peers saved two shots in the time she subbed for Allen after the collision.

Lee’s Jackie Moors made four saves on four shots, including hard shots on goal in the second half by Limestone’s Meagan Pelletier and Britney King. Moors has given up just seven goals this season.

The Pandas were also on guard for Ellie Dunn, who led the Eagles with 17 goals this year.

“She was good, very relaxed with the ball,” Read said. “I just stayed back in case she got by.”

The Pandas had just a few minutes to revel in the win before getting on a bus to head south. Several Lee soccer players also run cross country, and the team was to stay in Augusta Friday night in advance of Saturday’s 11 a.m. state cross country meet in Turner.