Deshane powers Coyotes by Bapst

OLD TOWN – When she gets in the open field, Old Town sophomore forward Katie Deshane is dangerous.

John Bapst of Bangor found that out Saturday, as Deshane registered her third career three-goal game, including two in the second half as the Coyotes earned a hard-fought, 3-2 schoolgirl soccer victory over the Crusaders in a battle of two of Class B’s top teams.

With the score tied at 2 and the clock winding down, Sabrina Jordan somehow found Deshane in a mass of Crusader defenders in the penalty area, and Deshane struck it inside the left goalpost with 3:45 to play.

“I can’t really remember, but I know it was bunched up and we just finished it off,” said Deshane, whose Coyotes improved to 5-1 while Bapst slipped to 3-1.

Deshane’s first goal came off a restart with 4:19 left in the first half. She took a Charlotte Kenneway throw-in down the midfield and booted it home from the top of the penalty area, which tied the game at 1.

“Charlotte had a nice throw-in, and I just took it to the goal,” said Deshane.

Jordan and Deshane connected again with 22 minutes left in regulation as Jordan sent Deshane a clearing pass and Deshane dribbled down the right wing and tucked the ball inside the left post.

“She’s a very good player, she’s quick, she does some good things with the ball,” said John Bapst coach Gary Sinclair.

Crusaders striker Morgan Chasse scored two goals, but Old Town goalkeeper Annie Cashon made several spectacular saves.

“You have to watch out for their crosses in the middle,” said the sophomore goalie, who finished with 12 saves.

“I’d put my ‘keeper up against anybody in the state,” said Old Town coach Chuck Neely.

Old Town was aware of Bapst’s tendencies to work the wings, with speedy junior Kirsty Moriarty one of the main catalysts in trying to feed Chasse with crossing passes.

“Bapst is very, very good at controlling the ball. They’ll move it around nicely through short passes, then play the big cross,” Neely said. “Annie came up huge today. So did the rest of the defense.”

Chasse put Bapst on the board eight minutes into the game, one-touching home a cross from Kate Gerrow while adding an unassisted tally with 18:54 left in the second half on a breakaway which tied the match at 2.

Laura Jordan had three saves on Old Town’s 12 shots while Bapst totaled 21 shots.

JV: 1-1 (2OT)

rmclaughlin@bangordailynews.net

990-8193