TOPSHAM — Scoring goals comes easy to Myles Culley – even in big games, like the Class C South boys’ soccer final.
Culley turned in a hat trick, scoring all three goals Wednesday for the top-seeded Flyers in a 3-0 victory over second-seeded Mt. Abram at Mt. Ararat High School.
The Flyers (15-1-1) move on to face Fort Kent (16-1) in the state final Saturday at Hampden Academy. Waynflete has won the last three Class C state championships (2018, 2019, 2021).
Wednesday’s game was a physical battle in which a couple players were injured and tempers flared.
“Quite physical,” Culley said. “Credit to Mt. Abram. They are physical, they play fast (and) they play hard. They left it all out there, but at the end of the day, we took it.”
“I think neither team wanted to play that way,” Waynflete Coach Brandon Salway said. “I think it got chippy there at times. I think both teams were adjusting to the way things were.”
Culley now has 47 goals this season.
“Culley is an amazing player,” Salway said. “He had a great season. He wants to win more than anything. He is a special, special player. He has done it against every team that has lined up against him. He is just a special talent.”
Culley’s first goal came 27:45 into the first half. The senior forward drilled a shot from 30 yards that caught the top right corner of the net.
Goalie Logan Dube kept the Roadrunners in the hunt with a couple of gutsy saves in the first half. He made a total of nine stops.
“It took us a little while in the first half to settle into our game,” Salway said. “Mt. Abram is good team. Darren (Allen) does great job with them. So it took a little time to settle in. You are playing against a team you haven’t played this year. It takes a little time to figure them out a little bit.”
“I thought we played pretty intelligently today. We shared the ball. (Goalie) Nico Kirby came up with a huge save at the end. Our back four was really solid today, too.”
Culley scored his second and third goals in the second half, with one coming on a penalty kick at 14:11.
Allen said the trip was called in the box and the player fell down.
“Waynflete doesn’t need any help with PKs,” Allen said. “It was a horrible call. That was the turning point in the game, and I never, ever say anything bad about officials.”
Despite the difficult loss, Allen was proud of what the Roadrunners accomplished this year.
“Estatic with these guys,” he said. “After last year, I didn’t know what to expect from these guys. But the way we fought and battled – we played Waynflete tough. I am a loss for words right now. Our kids played tough.”
Culley got his second unassisted goal with 12:43 remaining.
He lauded the play of the Flyers’ defense for holding Mt. Abram scoreless.
“Today, (our) backline was great,” Culley said. “(The Roadrunners) didn’t have many chances. The back line was great. I think we won the midfield battle. I am just happy to be here, happy to bring the win home. Again, credit to Mt. Abram. They are a good squad, but I am proud of (our) boys.”
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