By Kevin Mills,Staff Writer

BUCKFIELD – It wasn’t so much about revenge as it was about geography.

After losing to Rangeley in overtime in a previous meeting, the Buckfield boys’ soccer team had its sights set on evening the score and altering the Western D Heal Point standings with Wednesday’s 2-1 victory over Rangeley.

“For us, I feel that was a huge win,” said Buckfield coach John Trenoweth. “Looking at the standings, we were ranked fifth and they were ranked fourth. That win might be enough to fluctuate the standings enough that we don’t have to travel up there come postseason. Right now, it looks like we’re going to play each other one way or another.”

Rangeley had edged the Bucks earlier this season with a 4-3 win in overtime. After a 1-0 lead at the half in Rangeley, the Bucks fell behind 3-1 before rallying to force overtime. An own goal gave the Lakers the victory.

This time around, the Bucks (3-5) rallied from a quick 1-0 deficit and held on to a 2-1 lead through the second half.

“We wanted to beat them so bad,” said Buckfield’s Andrew Litchfield, who had a goal and an assist. “We didn’t want to have to play up there again.”

Rangeley (4-3) got a quick score in the opening minutes when Devon Sargent burst in alone. The quick start for the Lakers didn’t last, and Rangeley struggled to regain any further momentum.

“They definitely showed that they could match our intensity today, which they did last game too,” said Rangeley coach Chip Smith. “You never know with high school kids and the long trip down, I think it kind of got into us. We’ve just got to go back and regroup.”

Sargent’s goal didn’t give the Lakers the lead for long. Just minutes later, a ball came off Litchfield in front and was chipped in by Rex Wilkinson.

“For the most part, that’s the way these guys have been,” said Trenoweth, whose team fell behind early at Vinalhaven last week and answered with four straight goals. “They seem to step it up to the next level when they’re down a goal.”

Litchfield got the game-winner midway through the first half. Chris Reuter’s throw went to Litchfield on the left wing. He rushed in and fired a shot into the opposite corner of the goal.

“It was a pass off Chris,” said Litchfield. “I knew we were going to make it because we’ve been working on it all the time.”

The Lakers tried to mount a comeback in the second half, but the Bucks did a nice job limiting opportunities. Luke Hammond had a header that went wide, and Steven Van Soren kicked a shot wide.

Smith said his club wanted to make good runs and play a tactical game in the second half but were outshot 10-3.

“We wanted to not feel the pressure and play boot ball, which we got into,” said Smith. “They simply played better than we did today. We simply didn’t have it.”