BRUNSWICK — The Messalonskee and Brunswick girls soccer paths had not crossed this season, yet both squads had a few common opponents and knew what each other was able to do on the field.
Messalonskee pushed across a pair of goals in the 33rd minute of each half, while shutting down the Dragons offense to come away with a
Brunswick’s Riley McAllaster (20) and Messalonskee’s Cloe Sisson look for position while playing the ball in Friday’s Class A North semifinal on Peter Gardner Field in Brunswick. (Bob Conn / The Times Record)
2-0 road victory in a Class A North semifinal clash.
The third-seeded Eagles (15-1) will play top-seed and two-time defending state champions Camden Hills (16-0) in Rockport next week for the North title. The Eagles lost to the Windjammers, 3-0, back in August in the season opener, but have won 15 straight since.
Brunswick’s Isabella Banks (10) and Messalonskee’s Natalie Tracy have their eyes on the ball during Friday’s Class A North girls soccer semifinal at Brunswick. (Bob Conn / The Times Record)
“They have come together (throughout the season),” Messalonskee coach Chris DelGiudice said. “That’s been our biggest improvement this season, and we hope to carry it on.”
“We were flat right from the start. If you don’t come out and put the yards in and be first to the ball, you’re not going to win the game,” Brunswick coach Martyn Davison said after Dragons concluded the season at 12-2-2. “I can’t really pinpoint why we didn’t play up today. Maybe it was the hard-fought game the other day (Wednesday double overtime win over Skowhegan), we don’t know. Give credit to Messalonskee, they were first to everything, they wanted it more.”
Brunswick kept the Eagles off the scoreboard early, behind the defense of Emily Larochelle, Mikaela Aschbrenner, Alexis Guptil and Riley McAllaster. Midway through the half, McAllaster came up big for the Dragons. Following a save by keeper Aisley Snell, Messalonskee was able to pick up the rebound and put another strike on net, but McAllaster stepped in front of the shot, denying a goal.
Seconds later, the freshman defender blocked another Eagles blast to keep the contest scoreless.
Ten minutes later, an Emma Banks pass to Anna Kousky nearly put the Dragons ahead, but after Kousky shook her defender, the senior’s boot sailed over the cage.
Messalonskee fired nine first-half shots at Snell, and only one made it past the keeper. With 7:16 remaining on the clock, Cloe Sisson received a pass from Caitlin Parks and put it in the back of the net for the lead.
At the halftime break, the Eagles held the one-goal lead, outshooting the Dragons, 9-4, and holding a 4-2 advantage in corners.
Brunswick picked up the pace, playing with a little more urgency to open the second half, but the second-seeded Dragons only managed three more shots on net as the Eagles continued to frustrate the home team with solid defensive play and netminder Hannah DelGiudice (eight saves) protecting the net.
“We had a couple of good chances to score, but that was it,” Davison said.
Anika Elias scored the all-important insurance goal with 7:30 left on the clock with her 28th tally of the season off an Elena Guarino helper. After taking the pass, the senior banked it lightly off the left post for the score.
“We worked it up the field and Elena played a beautiful ball right to my feet, so I give all credit to her. We’re all just using each other well,” Elias said.
The Eagles defused any threat Brunswick attempted down the stretch for the shutout.
Davison loses nine seniors to graduation.
“I feel bad for the seniors, they expected to advance further,” said the Brunswick coach.
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