RUMFORD – The action was intense as the Mountain Valley and Dirigo boys’ soccer teams vied for bragging rights at Hosmer Field on Monday.
The senior-laden Falcons turned up their pressure, and Byron Glaus scored two goals in a convincing 4-1 win against the Cougars. It was the Falcons’ third win in a row.
Class B Mountain Valley (5-7-1) entered the game with a sense of urgency because the Falcons remain in contention for a home preliminary-playoff berth.
“Since our game against Carrabec, the team has played well,” Mountain Valley coach Wade McLaughlin said. “I made some switches and moved my senior captains, John Gamble, Josh Burke and Glaus each up on the front line. We wanted to try getting things going, and it had paid off. We’ve scored nine goals in three games.”
The first half saw both teams hustling for territorial rights, and it included the eventual winning goal by Burke. The Falcons seized control of the ball and Burke drilled a low shot past Cougar goalie Josh Saphire, who made 14 saves in his first-ever varsity start, with 8:37 left before intermission.
“Our defense had been a team strength all year,” Glaus said. “Over the last three games, the offense has come through and every one is working together. With the playoffs coming up, we know that all of us need to continue to keep it up.”
Class C Dirigo (3-10-1) desperately wanted to end its season on a positive note. But the Cougars lacked the offensive thrust to make a difference.
A goal by Jeff Willis knotted the score at 1-1, as the shot deflected off Falcon goalie Bryan Canwell (six saves). The play started with a pass from Gary Holman. The Cougars had some additional opportunities on set-up passes by Jeremy Pratt and Josh Larson.
The game was delayed 20 minutes due to a serious injury. Falcon senior Greg Benjamin was accidentally kicked in the face by the Cougars’ Rob Weymouth. Benjamin was transported to the hospital and treated for his injury.
“Greg should be ready to play again next week,” McLaughlin said, after returning from the hospital. “We’ve been able to try advancing the ball because of our defense. (Craig) Hamann, (Ben) French, Jeff Gallant and Corey Devoe, who has seven assists off throw-ins as a sweeper, and any time you can have that it’s good.”
Mountain Valley drew first blood on a header by Glaus off a 35-yard free kick by Devoe.
The Falcons Jon Gamble scored off a crossing pass and rammed a header home. Mountain Valley held a two-to-one margin on shots in the game.
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