BANGOR, Maine — Goals are typically at a premium in playoff soccer, so it came as no surprise to Bangor coach Joe Johnson when his Rams found themselves in a low-scoring quarterfinal clash Wednesday night.
Making the task even more of a challenge for the top-seeded, undefeated Rams was a feisty team from Brewer coming off its first postseason win in 25 years.
Bangor’s Libby Spekhardt scratched out a goal early in the second half, and the Rams held on from there for a hard-fought 1-0 win over the eighth-seeded Witches.
“That’s playoff soccer,” said Johnson, whose 15-0 Rams will battle No. 4 Edward Little of Auburn in a semifinal match at 6 p.m. Saturday.
Brewer ends its season 8-7-1.
While Bangor had the better of the chances over the contest’s first 40 minutes, the tenacious Witches made it tough for the Rams’ strikers to get the ball on net. When they did, goalkeeper Libby Hewes was right there to corral the ball.
Brewer’s back line also did an admirable job in clearing would-be scoring opportunities out of harm’s way.
“They’re a good team, they’ve improved a lot over the last few years,” Johnson said.
Bangor shifted its attack into a higher gear early in the second half, and the Rams were rewarded when Spekhardt one-touched a pass from Katie Butler inside the far post just over 2½ minutes in.
“I guess I was just in the right position and at the right angle,” said Spekhardt.
Bangor had plenty of chances to obtain some insurance, and it attempted to set up Butler on crosses several times in the penalty area but couldn’t connect.
Brewer’s best chance came after the halfway mark of the second half, with a shot going just over the crossbar and above the outstretched arms of Rams’ goalkeeper Page Cadorette.
“We had a little trouble communicating, but in the second half we pulled things out,” Spekhardt said.
The Witches’ defenders also did a great job of staying with the quick Spekhardt and Luci Clein down the flanks, and the aggressive Hewes was quick to swallow up any through-balls inside 25 yards.
“I thought it was pretty evenly matched,” said Johnson, who praised his own defense in buckling down when the Witches pushed their attackers up late in attempt to get the equalizer.
“We’ve got a veteran defense, they cover for each other well,” he said. “We had a hard time getting it out of there. I tell the kids any given night anybody can beat anybody in this game.”
Brewer entered the match having won its first postseason game since 1991 with its prelim triumph over Mt. Ararat of Topsham. Coach David Hamel’s Witches weren’t intimidated by the defending state champion Rams.
“I’m just proud of the kids,” said Hamel, whose club only has three seniors. “The kids weren’t satisfied, they were hungry, they wanted another one. We got beat, simple as that.”
Bangor’s back line continuously dogged Brewer’s attackers throughout the match, limiting the Witches’ time and space with the ball.
Brewer did an admirable job in the midfield, limiting Bangor’s counterattacks, especially later in the game when the Witches were pushing hard for the tying goal.
“Bangor did a good job limiting our chances,” Hamel said. “We’ve had a hard time scoring goals all year, but we’re a good midfield team, a good possession team.”
Bangor wound up with a 12-7 edge in shots. Hewes compiled seven saves, and Page Cadorette finished with five.
Follow Ryan McLaughin on Twitter at @rmlcaughlin23.
