BANGOR, Maine — The Mt. Ararat girls soccer team had plenty of motivation going into Saturday’s Eastern Maine Class A semifinal game at Bangor High School.
Coach Sam Chard’s Eagles had been eliminated in the playoffs by the Rams each of the last two years, including the 2013 regional final played on the same field. Mt. Ararat was determined to end the trend.
The fifth-seeded Eagles dominated from start to finish, scoring four second-half goals to knock off the top-seeded, four-time defending EM champion Rams 5-0.
“We were really fired up,” said senior striker Erin Tome, who scored two goals. “Bangor has ended our season the last two years, so I was especially ready to beat them.”
Mt. Ararat of Topsham (10-4-2) advances to face No. 2 Edward Little of Auburn in Wednesday’s EM title game.
Bangor, which beat the Eagles 2-1 at Topsham on Sept. 25, finishes at 13-1-2.
“I knew they were a good team, but I didn’t expect that to happen,” said Bangor coach Joe Johnson.
“They made the plays and we didn’t make the plays,” he added. “That was as poor as our touch was all year. We couldn’t keep possession.”
The Eagles were more aggressive and quicker to the ball. They utilized their speed up front to generate offensive pressure and quality scoring chances.
Mt. Ararat took a 1-0 lead with 13:50 to play in the first half. Hard-charging junior striker Torri Pelletier pushed a lead pass to the top of the 18, where classmate Ronni Pelleter fired a low, left-footed shot into the lower right-hand corner beyond the reach of diving Bangor goalkeeper Emily Gilmore (7 saves).
Scoring first was a boost to the Eagles.
“It was kind of a nervous thing at the beginning of the game,” Williams said. “You just play your game and forget that they’re the No. 1 seed.”
The visitors made it 2-0 at 29:20 of the second half, shortly after Bangor’s Eve George had shot high from 8 yards out off a corner kick by Alli Boulier.
Mt. Ararat senior striker Libby Ouellette just missed with a cross to Pelletier in the middle of the penalty area and the Rams appeared to be in position to clear it.
“One of the defenders made a clear and the goalie came out to get it because she didn’t clear it far enough and I got it before the goalie did,” Tome explained.
“We were quicker to the ball today,” Chard said.
The Eagles expanded the lead after a run down the right flank by Pelletier, who kept the ball in on the end line and passed back to the middle. Tome was there and converted, making it 3-0 with 23:48 left.
“We haven’t beaten this team in a long time. The girls played well today,” said Chard, who praised Bangor. “A lot of these girls got tired of getting beat by them.”
Bangor was forced to press up and take some chances, which opened the door for Mt. Ararat to put the game away. Ouellette converted a penalty kick after a hand ball in the area with 13:27 left, then Kaitlin Volk buried a left-footed shot after a cross by Ryley Leech made it through the middle and to the far post.
Bangor’s dynamic offensive duo of seniors Mary Butler and Boulier found themselves blanketed by defenders and were afforded precious few touches in the area. Lauren Grant, Anna Manuel and Lauren Labbay were solid on the back line for the Eagles.
Mt. Ararat learned some lessons from their previous meetings against the Rams.
“Bangor is such a good team, so much respect for them,” said Williams, who made six saves.
“I think we adapted and the experience from playing them earlier on this year. I think we adjusted well and just played our game.”
Sophomore Grace Morris was a poised and strong presence on defense for the Rams.