Freeport’s Gabe Wagner kicks the ball in front of Presque Isle’s Zechariah Morse (9) in Saturday’s State Class B final at Hampden Academy. The Wildcats won in double overtime, 3-2. (Eric Maxim / The Times Record)
HAMPDEN – It took over 100 minutes of soccer for the State Class B boys high school soccer championship to be decided. With
Freeport’s Jess Bennell (10) prepares to kick the ball in front of the net as Presque Isle’s Jacob Sjoberg (16) and keeper Mason Young (45) look on. during the State Class B final at Hampden Academy on Saturday. The Wildcats won in double overtime, 3-2. (Eric Maxim / The Times Record)
Presque Isle and Freeport deadlocked at two goals apiece in the second overtime, Drew Cameron picked up a loose ball at the top of the box and knocked it to the back of the net to lift the Wildcats to a 3-2 victory at Hampden Academy on Saturday.
The goal five-and-a-half minutes into the second extra frame capped off three unanswered goals by the North champions.
“It feels unreal. I can’t stop crying I’m so happy,” Cameron said. “I just can’t fathom it.”
After Presque Isle’s Connor DeMerchant raced Freeport keeper Atticus Patrick to the ball, the ball popped loose setting up Cameron for the game-winner.
“The ball bounced out from the keeper and came right to me,” said the senior. “I just did what we do in practice, hit it low, hard and to the far post.”
Freeport’s season ended at 12-4-2, but the Falcons run was one to remember, playing in their first state championship in boys soccer in 40 years.
“I’m so proud of these guys, this game does not define our season,” Freeport coach Bob Strong said. “It was so great to do this for our community.”
Like the weather from pregame to finish, the game played out similar.
After a relatively warm light rain fell during warm ups, the skies cleared as a strong blustery wind took over early in the opening half.
“We knew it would help us with scoring the first goal,” Freeport forward Will Winter said. “We like to play long off the kick off and get the team stuck in their own half and with the wind. We knew we had to score the first goal, it worked well when we went up early against Cape and we wanted to do the same tonight.”
Freeport’s Shea Wagner (9) runs down the field with the ball as Presque Isle’s Gage Letourneau pursues during the second half of the State Class B final at Hampden Academy on Saturday. The Wildcats won in double overtime, 3-2. (Eric Maxim / The Times Record)
With 7:39 remaining in the first half, Owen Patrick sent the ball towards the net where Winter headed it over Presque Isle’s Mason Young for the score.
“I didn’t think the ball was coming to my head, the wind took it a little bit, then I think the wind carried it up over the goalkeepers hands,” Winter recalled.
The score stood at 1-0 in favor of the Falcons entering the halftime break as Freeport outshot the Wildcats, 5-1.
Second half
Freeport opened the half with a quick tally just less than five minutes in, to open up a two-goal lead.
Winter struck again taking a cross from Jesse Bennell that beat Young once again for the score.
Almost three minutes later, Kyler Caron put the Wildcats (15-1-2) on the scoreboard, picking up a loose ball in front of the net and legging it in to cut the lead in half.
Presque Isle evened the score when Conner Michuad lofted a shot on goal that bounced in front of the Freeport keeper and bounced over his head for the equalizer.
“It was a different kind of game than we’re used to, that’s for sure,” Strong said. “The weather was a neutralizing factor. They used it well to their advantage and at times we were hesitant as we let balls bounce.”
“It’s been the same message from our group all year, hard work and never quit, that county mentality,” Presque Isle coach Joe Greaves said. “They never give up, we were down 2-0 and they kept grinding and grinding.”
“We were a little too comfortable after going up 2-0, and we didn’t keep playing the way we wanted to play,” Winter said.
Freeport (12-4-2) continued pressuring Young and the Wildcats defense, but the senior goalie turned away the next six shots he faced, including a pair of rockets from senior Shea Wagner to keep the game tied after regulation.
Freeport’s Ethan Prescott (1) steps in front of Presque Isle’s Jonah Roy (11) during the second half of the State Class B final at Hampden Academy on Saturday. The Wildcats won in double overtime, 3-2. (Eric Maxim / The Times Record)
Minutes into the first overtime, Jesse Bennell picked up a rebound and blasted it at Young. The Presque Isle goalie made the save, but the ball went up over his head and bounced off what was initially thought to be the crossbar and off Young’s back for the clincher. The Falcons ran onto the field to celebrate, but the ball was ruled to have hit the football goal post above the soccer net, resulting in a goal kick.
“The ball hit my fist, went up and over, hit the post, hit my calf and went in, and I thought it was over,” said Young.
Young’s five saves in overtime carried it to another extra frame to set up Cameron’s heroics.
“We knew they were a direct team and didn’t want to play to the midfields,” Strong said. “They were a very aggressive team, they challenged every ball and it made it difficult for our guys to gain any momentum, congratulations to Presque Isle.”
Freeport outshot the Wildcats 18-8 and held a 10-1 advantage in corner kicks. Atticus Patrick made five saves in net for Freeport, while Young turned away 16 in the victory.
“Again, what a great season for our boys. I’m proud of the season they put together,” Strong said. “Our seniors worked so hard to get here. It’s not the way wanted it to end, but it’s also something I told the younger players to take in — you may not get here again.”
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