PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The Madawaska Owls will play for their first gold ball after winning the Class D North regional soccer championship in a 7-1 upset over Bangor Christian School on Tuesday.
The No. 2 Owls took down the top seed Patriots at Gehrig Johnson Field at Presque Isle Middle School.
The Madawaska boys, who have never won a state championship in soccer, will have that chance Saturday in Portland when they take on the winner of the Class D South regional championship game between Isleboro Central or North Yarmouth Academy.
Madawaska Coach Ben Gagnon said the Owls came to win, but he was pleasantly surprised by how well the boys played.
“I was not expecting this score,” Gagnon said.
Carsen Cyr had his foot on 5 of the Owls’ 7 goals. Cyr scored one goal assisted by Ian Beauliau and one unassisted. Cyr also registered assists on goals by Alex Querze, Carter Gagnon and Brady Gagnon. Brady Gagnon also scored with an assist by Sam Dufresne and Beaulieu kicked one in unassisted.
As the game clock wound down and it became apparent the Owls had earned a spot in the state championship, players on the bench began to react to their success.
“We did it boys, we did it,” senior defenseman Sam Lauiser said.
“If you look at from where we started the season, to this game, our progress is insane,” midfielder Isaac Beaulieu said. “It doesn’t even make sense.”
Luke Gorczok scored the only goal for Bangor Christian.
Patriots’ Coach Jason Lewis said his team “played with a lot of heart.”
“The reality is we were up against a team that was world class,” Lewis said.
The Patriots — consisting of a multitude of underclassmen and only two seniors — made their way to No. 1 in the standings during the regular season, and will continue to improve with age and experience, according to Lewis.
“They had a great season. They worked hard. They’re a young team. The future looks bright,” he said.
This year though, it is the Owls who will take their shot at the gold ball.
“It would be the ultimate compliment to these boys, to come away with that state championship,” Gagnon said.