Caden Boone, center, and other boys’ soccer players from Lewiston High celebrate with fans after the Blue Devils beat Deering 3-2 in overtime to win the Class A state championship on Nov. 11, 2023, in Oakland. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

This story has been updated from a version originally published on Nov. 11, 2023.

OAKLAND — The Lewiston High School boys’ soccer team set a goal and then delivered for a hurting community still recovering from the deadliest mass shooting in Maine history on Oct. 25, when 18 people were killed and 13 more were wounded.

The Blue Devils helped in the healing with a dramatic run to the Class A state championship.

On Nov. 11, Lewiston (15-2-1) won the title in thrilling fashion – a 3-2 overtime victory over Deering at Messalonskee High. It was the program’s fourth championship since 2015.

“We have been saying the past few weeks, ‘Do it for the city,'” Lewiston goalie Payson Goyette said after the contest. “It feels great to win for the city and bring some good to the city.”

This title-game matchup is our choice as the 2023-24 Varsity Maine Boys’ Game of the Year.

Tegra Mbele secured the victory and kickstarted a Lewiston celebration when he curled a shot inside the far post with about a minute remaining in the first overtime.

“It’s very happy for me to score two goals,” Mbele said through teammate and translator Aristarque Meli after the game. “It brings me joy to score in a final like this.”

After scoring, Mbele ran to the near corner flag, where he was mobbed by teammates and fellow Lewiston High students.

“It was the joy we brought to the fans, which made them go crazy,” Mbele said through Meli. “We just wanted to give back to the city, with all they have gone through. It brings me great joy, and to everyone who made it happen.”

Lewiston Coach Dan Gish said he couldn’t believe the scene after the goal.

“Oh my God, that was insane,” Gish said. “It was awesome; it was euphoric.”

Mbele also scored the first goal of the game in the 11th minute when he put a shot inside the far post to give Lewiston the early lead.

“We have been working on his finish all year, and boy did he finish,” Gish said of Mbele.

Lewiston boys’ soccer coach Dan Gish hugs Belmiro Bengue after the Blue Devils won the Class A championship on Nov. 11 in Oakland. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

Goyette made consecutive point-blank saves in the 16th minute to maintain Lewiston’s 1-0 lead.

“I knew they like to play through balls,” Goyette said. “The defense did a good job of keeping them away from the middle. I cut down their angle and did what I had to do.”

Deering (12-4-2) got the equalizer when Ethan Fisher converted a penalty kick in the 19th minute.

“It felt good to make it 1-1 after they scored on us pretty quick, and kind of get our team’s head back into the game,” Fisher said after the loss. “If we hadn’t, we would have fallen into a slump.”

Mohamed Gabow put Lewiston up 2-1 after he tracked down a long volley and created some separation from a Deering defender. Gabow then kicked a line drive past Rams goalie Adao Lufumbo-Mbenza.

Gabow, whom Gish said is Lewiston’s best shooter, was determined to track down the ball and put it in the net.

“I was like, ‘I am scoring this,'” Gabow said. “I am doing it.”

Deering evened the score 16 minutes into the second half. Chandral Mangele-Laza fought through two Lewiston defenders into the 18-yard box and put a shot past Goyette.

Fisher said he will cherish the memories of the Rams’ Class A South championship season.

“It was wicked fun. I look forward to playing high school soccer, just because of this atmosphere,” Fisher said. “It’s fun to play with friends from other schools. Lewiston has a great team and they really deserve this win.”