EAST MACHIAS, Maine — The Washington Academy Raiders continued their march through the Class C North boys soccer postseason with a 6-0 victory over the Central Red Devils in the regional final Wednesday.
The win avenged a regional semifinal loss last season to the Red Devils of Corinth.
The Raiders, the No. 1 seed this season, were also the No. 1 seed last year, but there was a pivotal difference, according to coach Chris Gardiner.
“In that game, we controlled 90 percent of the game, but what we lacked was the ability to finish,” Gardner said. “The difference this year for us is we have found the ability to consistently find the back of the net.”
Wednesday’s win capped a playoff run in which the Raiders have outscored their opponents 18-0. They enjoyed an 87-4 margin in the regular season.
The prolific scoring and stout defense have earned the Raiders a state-final berth against South champ Waynflete of Portland at 12:30 p.m. Saturday at the Dr. Gehrig T. Johnson Athletic Complex in Presque Isle.
The two schools met in the 2008 final when the Raiders prevailed.
On Wednesday, the Raiders rolled to a 4-0 first-half advantage behind two goals from Ricaija Simmons and one each from Simon Surin and Oneko Lowe. Mannuel Sanchez and Adrian Wagmann each added a second-half goal.
The scoring balance has been a theme for WA this season.
“Each night it can be one of many who can step up and score for us,” Gardner said.
The balance makes it difficult for teams to take away any offensive weapon, especially in the playoffs, when teams are scouted, he added.
“It’s difficult for teams to mark us. They have to play us straight up,” Gardner said.
Despite the lopsided score on Wednesday, Gardner said the Red Devils gave his team a good game.
“I’d like to give a tremendous tip of the cap to coach Paul Speed and his Central team. They have a quality program,” he said.
WA is now 17-0 and No. 3 Central finished at 15-2.