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10/29/2009
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Staff photo by Andy Molloyfrom the Kennebec Journal
STATE HOUSE BALDACCI: CUT $63M MORE
Many happy returns in Richmond
Tax woes land on Whitefield
Rapist denied new trial
AUGUSTA MINDING A MINE
SPORT OF KINGS Falconry a blend of dedication and commitment
COLLEGE HOCKEY: Maine rallies but falls short against Boston College
COLLEGE ROUNDUP: Colby women win season opener at home tournament
All of today's:
News | Sports
from the Kennebec Journal
from the Morning Sentinel
WEDDING BURGLAR JAILED
Youths talk Turkey Day
Plenty of free Thanksgiving meals available
Turkey prices make for a happy holiday
Kennebec County Superior Court
POLICE
COLLEGE HOCKEY: Maine rallies but falls short against Boston College
COLLEGE ROUNDUP: Colby women win season opener at home tournament
All of today's:
News | Sports
from the Morning Sentinel
READFIELD -- Sudden death rarely occurs more suddenly than it did when the Gray-New Gloucester and Maranacook boys soccer teams met Wednesday night.
Just 1 minute, 6 seconds into overtime, Maranacook's Jon Findlay served a direct kick from 45 yards into the goalmouth, and David Clough headed it in, giving the Black Bears a 2-1 victory.
The win puts third-seeded Maranacook (13-1-1) into Saturday's Western Maine Class B semifinals against No. 2 Yarmouth. Sixth-seeded Gray-New Gloucester finished 8-6-1.
Clough is a valuable asset on set plays, either taking long booming kicks from his own end of the field or sliding his 6-foot-4 frame into the box when the Black Bears are on offense. He was there for Findlay's serve, which nearly landed on the goal line.
"For a little guy he's got a big foot," Clough said. "I just dived out and I hit it off the ground."
The Patriots, who play in the tough Western Maine Conference, held an edge in play during the first half, but found themselves trailing after sophomore Gabe Giguere collected a misplayed ball by Patriots goalie Evan Kenney and kicked it into an open net.
The Black Bears picked up their level of play in the second half and controlled the first 20 minutes.
"That's been a struggle for us this year, being a second-half team," Findlay said. "We really get focused in the second half after we talk about any mistakes we made in the first half."
The Black Bears outshot the Patriots 8-3 in the second half, but it was the visitors who scored after they were awarded a penalty kick when a player was taken down inside the box. Freshman midfielder Jack Martell tied the game with a clean strike into the right corner of the goal past Maranacook keeper Sam Poulin.
"It seemed like that penalty kind of lifted us up a little bit and we played a lot more inspired soccer and put the pressure on them," Patriots coach Mike Dehetre said. "We carried play, but defensively they're pretty good in the back. They play well together."
The Patriots nearly took a 2-1 lead later in the half when Maranacook fullback Greg Goucher's clearing pass bounced off his own crossbar.
"That was scary," Poulin said. "I think he slipped on the play and almost scored."
Poulin finished with six saves on eight GNG shots, the best on a misdirected shot that struck one of his own players 11 minutes into the game. Kenney made 11 saves on 13 shots, including a rocket off Findlay's foot in the second half that he tipped over the crossbar.
"We went to the ball a little harder (in the second half)," Maranacook coach Don Beckwith said. "Plus, we moved without the ball (and kept it on the ground) instead of boot and scoot. We're better on the ground."
Gary Hawkins -- 621-5638
ghawkins@centralmaine.com
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