Boys' soccer: Blue Devils lose it in OT

Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal Lewiston's Curtis Robinson, left and Matt Beauparlant, #13 battle Erskine Academy's Ryan Hall, middle and Ryan Pulver, right for control of a goal kick during first half action of Wednesday night's playoff game in Lewiston.

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Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal Lewiston's Ahmed Abdirahman makes a mid air pass to a teammate during first half action of Wednesday's playoff game against Erskine Academy.

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Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal Lewiston's Curtis Robinson clears the ball out of the crease in front of his goalie before Erskine Academy's Jacob Miller can get off a shot during first half action of Wednesday's playoff game in Lewiston.

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Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal Lewiston's Jon McDonough closes in on the ball to prevent Erskine Academy's Aaron Taylor from clearing the ball up the field during Wednesday's playoff game in Lewiston.

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- Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

LEWISTON — When they got one, it seemed only a matter of time before they got a second one.

The Lewiston boys' soccer team tied the game late in regulation Wednesday and had all the momentum going its way. Sometimes, though, momentum only hints at things to come. It doesn't guarantee it. Instead, it was Erskine Academy that produced that coveted second goal with an tally late in the first overtime to topple the Blue Devils 2-1 in an Eastern A quarterfinal.

Jacob Miller scored with 2:42 left in the first 15-minute overtime to spoil a Lewiston comeback attempt and hand the Blue Devils their first home loss of the year.

"The emotions of a game like this, they have two emotions, high and low," said Lewiston coach Mike McGraw. "It's not like we didn't have the chances to score. They came and they went. We worked very hard. It's great to win, but it's tough to lose. I can't think of anything we could have done differently other than the two chances we had. It just didn't happen. It wasn't meant to be."

The Eagles (9-2-4) scored on its only shot of overtime. A Ryan Pulver throw from the right sideline was headed in at the right post by Miller.

"There's no better feeling," said Miller of his scoring chance. "The throw came in. I had a defender on my back. I looked over at the keeper and saw that he was out of position. I headed it. It was great positioning. It was just a great goal."

Erskine's game-winner wasn't too unlike its first goal. After a scoreless tie, the Eagles converted a Travis Lee corner kick. Ryan Hall was in front to head it in for the lead goal 6:03 into the second half.

Lewiston (9-3-2) put the pressure on as regulation ticked away. J.J. Musse had a great chance when the ball came to him wide open on the left side. As he tried to settle it, the ball bounced away and keeper Brian Potter gobbled it up before he could get a shot off. Potter later made a leaping save on a Subeer Osman header.

"Our kids did everything they could except put it in the back of the net," said McGraw, whose team split with Erskine in the regular season, beating them 3-1 at home. "For me, it was agonizing to see some of the chances go by."

It was a fairly innocent play that lead to the equalizer. Joe Sullivan won possession inside the midfield and fired it toward the goal. It caught the Erskine defense playing up and hit the back of the net with 2:17 left.

"I thought our kids played courageous," said McGraw. "Joe Sullivan's goal was pure guts. It came from somewhere from within a player where it was almost spiritual. That's the kind of kid that he is."

With a devastated Eagles team, Lewiston appeared ready to put Erskine away. The Blue Devils pressure continued into overtime. Musse had a shot that just went wide with 5:10 left. The Eagles weathered that storm and waited for a chance to counter punch.

"They got that fluke goal, and they hammered on us," said Miller. "We just knew that when we got our opportunities we had to capitalize on them."

Lewiston had the better of the chances in the opening half. Ali Hersi had a nice shot that Potter made a leaping save on. Hersi later set up Ahmed Mohamed for a bid that went wide, and Shobow Saban had a nice header that missed the net.

"They believed," said McGraw. "I just have the greatest amount of love for these guys because of the stuff we've gone through."