PORTLAND – Chris Banks scored twice as the Maine Premier Soccer Portland Phoenix debuted with a decisive 3-0 Premier Development League victory over the Westchester Flames Sunday afternoon at Deering High’s Memorial Field.

Banks, the former captain of the University of New Hampshire team, converted a penalty kick in the 41st minute to give Portland a 1-0 halftime lead.

In the 54th minute, Boston University’s Aaron O’Neal broke free and drove toward goal to set up a feed to Banks, who tapped in the second goal for the Phoenix.

Left midfielder Michael Donald of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University added the third goal in the 70th minute, beating his defender and driving the ball across the goal.

Portland held a 14-3 shots advantage over Westchester, which fell to 0-1-1.

Matt Williams of Portland, a Cheverus graduate, played the first 70 minutes in goal for the Phoenix before he was replaced by Collin Cunning of Belfast.

The Phoenix next play Friday at Albany, N.Y., then return home to face the Western Mass Pioneers on Sunday at Memorial Field.

 

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