PORTLAND, Maine — On the bus ride home from a heartbreaking state championship loss a year ago, Lewiston High School coach Mike McGraw made his team a promise.
Promise turned to prophecy Saturday.
“They started looking to get back here on Nov. 9 (2014),” McGraw said. “I knew we were going to be in this game. I knew we were going to be one of these teams. On the bus, we talked about it. I told them that we’re going back.”
Lewiston not only made its return to the state game but made amends for the loss it suffered a year ago.
Maulid Abdow’s flip throw bounced in off a Scarborough defender late in the second half Saturday for the only goal in a tightly contested game as Lewiston earned its first state soccer championship, a 1-0 triumph over Scarborough at Fitzpatrick Stadium.
The team that scored 114 goals this season won the Class A state title on an own goal.
“We did this for coach McGraw, for Lewiston, for our school, for our community,” senior forward Abdi Shariff said. “We’re so happy to finally get it.”
Lewiston had been to the state final twice before, the most recent setback coming a year ago, a 2-1 loss to Cheverus. The Blue Devils have been on a mission since then, working hard in the offseason, preparing for a return to the state game and a reversal of fortune.
Lewiston (18-0) had to weather a hard-fought effort from Scarborough. The Red Storm brought a physical style and outstanding defense. Lewiston also had to overcome yellow cards to forward Maslah Hassan and defender Mohamed Khalid.
Scarborough (15-1-2) was the team McGraw expected to see in the state game, and he knew it would be a battle.
“I knew it was going to be one for the ages,” McGraw said. “Neither team got a direct goal. We had to work for everything we got. We got the last shot. It rolled in off a Scarborough player and went in. We got credit for the goal. That’s the way the game is. It can be beautiful, and it can be cruel.”
Abdow’s throw with 16:40 remaining produced the only goal of the game. The junior midfielder had an outstanding day firing flip throws into the field of play. From the right sideline, he put it toward the far post. It hit a Scarborough defender and went in.
“I didn’t even know it was going to go in,” Abdow said. “I thought Abdi (Shariff) scored. Then I heard my name announced.”
Lewiston, ranked 22nd in the country in a recent USA Today poll, then had to protect a 1-0 lead, a feat the Blue Devils haven’t had to do much this season. In most games, their lead has been greater.
Lewiston also had to do it without Khalid and Abdularim Abdulle. Both were hurt in a collision at midfield and came out of the game.
But those who remained in the game picked up where their teammates left off. This group of players who have been friends and teammates since grade school made sure the lead held.
Zakariya Abdulle, Dek Hassan and Khalid were superb in the back and goalkeeper Austin Wing made the stops he had to. He finished with four saves.
Scarborough was the first team all season to hold Lewiston scoreless in the first half.
“These guys gave up one goal in four games against some very good teams,” Scarborough coach Mark Diaz said. “I don’t think Lewiston’s been held to one goal all year. That’s a pretty special defense.”