SCARBOROUGH — Scarborough midfielder Wyatt Omsberg learned a lot from playing in his first Class A state championship game.
“I just learned it’s not fun to go all the way and lose,” he said.
HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
CLASS A BOYS
WHO: Scarborough (16-1) vs. Hampden Academy (16-1)
WHEN: 12:30 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: McMann Field, Bath
COMMENT: Led by senior midfielder Wyatt Omsberg, who is making his third consecutive appearance in a state final, the Red Storm appear ready to defend the state title they won a year ago. During the regular season, Scarborough held a 62-3 scoring edge while posting 12 shutouts. Hampden Academy, which outscored their KVAC opponents by a 55-7 margin during the regular season, is making its first appearance in the state final since 2004 and its looking for its first championship.
CLASS B BOYS
WHO: Greely (13-2-2) vs. Camden Hills (16-0-1)
WHEN: 5:30 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Hampden Academy
COMMENT: Matt Crowley, a senior midfielder who scored the winning goal in the 2-1 victory over previously unbeaten Yarmouth in the Western Maine final, leads Greely into its first appearance in a Class B state final since 1975. The Rangers did win a Class A title in 2007. The Windjammers, who outscored their KVAC opponents by an 84-6 margin in 14 regular-season games, are making their third consecutive trip to the state final. The Windjammers last won a state title in 1991 when the school was known as Camden-Rockport. Western Maine schools have won the last 19 Class B titles.
CLASS A GIRLS
WHO: Windham (16-0-1) vs. Bangor (16-1)
WHEN: 10 a.m. Saturday
WHERE: McMann Field, Bath
COMMENT: The unbeaten Eagles, who had to pull out three one-goal victories in the Western Maine tournament, are making their first appearance in a state final since winning Class B titles in 1993 and 1994. Jenna Soucy, who had 21 goals during the regular season, leads a high-powered offense that has scored 90 goals in 17 games. Bangor, which is looking for its second state title, is making its fourth consecutive trip to the Class A final.
CLASS B GIRLS
WHO: Cape Elizabeth (14-2-1) vs. Waterville (16-1)
WHEN: 3 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Hampden Academy
COMMENT: The Capers are making their first appearance in a state final since winning the Class A title in 1999. Cape, which posted eight shutouts during the regular season, outscored its three opponents in the Western Maine tournament by an 11-3 margin. Lydia Roy, who scored 25 goals during the regular season, leads the power-house Panthers, who have outscored their opponents by a 94-3 margin in 17 games.
CLASS C GIRLS
WHO: Waynflete (14-2-2) vs. Orono (15-1-1)
WHEN: 10 a.m. Saturday
WHERE: Hampden Academy
COMMENT: Waynflete, which held a 12-2 scoring edge in four games during the Western Maine tournament, is getting a chance to defend the state championship it won last fall. In 14 regular-season games in the tough Western Maine Conference, the Flyers had a 37-12 edge in scoring. Orono, which outscored its three foes in the Eastern Maine regional by a 16-2 margin, its making its first appearance in a state final.
– Paul Betit
Additional Photos
Omsberg already has been on both the winning and losing sides in a Class A final.
In 2011, he was a sophomore playing for Messalonskee when Windham cruised to a 3-1 win.
Last fall, after transferring to Scarborough, he helped the Red Storm run away with a 4-1 victory against Mt. Ararat in the state championship game.
Omsberg, a 6-foot-5 senior, is a big reason why Scarborough is making its fourth trip to the state final in six seasons. The Red Storm play Hampden Academy Saturday afternoon at McMann Field in Bath.
“He does the little things, which is to me the most impressive thing about him,” Scarborough Coach Mark Diaz said. “Yeah, he does the obvious things. You know, the skill set, the ball movement, but he will do the little things. He’ll do whatever it takes to win.”
Scarborough keeper Pat Stanton, who plays on a premier team with Omsberg during the offseason, said the tall, lanky senior is one of the smartest players he’s ever been around.
“He knows exactly where to be at the right time,” Stanton said. “He’s got great game awareness. He’s just a great player. You don’t have to tell him; he knows exactly what to do.”
According to Diaz, Omsberg came to Scarborough with an innate ability to read what is happening on the field.
“If we need him to move the ball more, he’ll do it. If he needs to take a more defensive role, he’ll do it,” Diaz said. “He just does whatever it takes, and recognizes it instantly. That’s what makes him special. He doesn’t have to be told. He really doesn’t, and he’s always had that.”
Omsberg, who has made a verbal commitment to play soccer at Dartmouth and hopes to receive formal acceptance to the Ivy League school soon, has never stopped working on his game.
“Obviously, his game has improved because he works so hard on it, but he’s always had that high soccer IQ,” Diaz said. “Some people have that, and he’s one person who has it, and he’s always trying to get better.”
On Wednesday, Omsberg helped the Red Storm take control of the Western Maine final by lining in a shot from 35 yards while on the move just 22 seconds into the game. It was the first of his two goals and sparked the Storm to a 4-0 win over Portland, a team beat Scarborough 1-0 early in the season.
“I don’t think he’s a stat guy,” Diaz said. “He doesn’t care about those things. He just wants us to be successful on the field as a team.”
Omsberg said his move south to live with his mother has helped him improve as a player.
“I think (soccer) is more athletic down here,” he said. “It’s just a lot harder. The games are a little bit easier in (Eastern Class A). The competition is a little bit better down here, but there are still some good teams that come from the East every year as well.”
Paul Betit can be contacted at 791-6424 or at:
pbetit@pressherald.com
Twitter: PaulBetitPPH
Send questions/comments to the editors.
Success. Please wait for the page to reload. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page.
Enter your email and password to access comments.
Hi, to comment on stories you must . This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login.
Already have a commenting profile? .
Invalid username/password.
Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration.
Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.
Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.