RICHMOND – When your out manned and outgunned, you don’t usually win.
That was the case Thursday when the Rangeley boys’ soccer team visited Richmond for its Western D semifinal game.
The second-seeded Bobcats poured it on from the start and led 5-0 by intermission en route to a 6-0 win over the No. 3 Lakers.
Playing without leading scorer Luke Hammond, the Lakers (7-7) saw wave after wave of Bobcats enter the game. Four of the goals came from reserves.
“We can go 15 or 16 deep and it pays off,” said Richmond coach Rick Coughlin.
“Most teams (in Class D) can only suit up 13 or 14 like (Rangeley). It really helps to have the kids, and we don’t lose anything when (the reserves) are out there.”
The Bobcats’ (12-3) barrage began just five minutes in. Nate Holden touched a pass to a wide-open Greg Gibbs standing alone in front of the Lakers’ goal. Gibbs blistered a shot thigh high from 10 yards out past diving keeper Quinn Philbrick (10 saves).
Five minutes later, Philbrick stopped a shot, but the Laker defense couldn’t clear the rebound. Freshman reserve Andy Harrington pounced on the rebound and touched it into the net.
The next two goals also came off the foot of a player off the bench as freshman Josh Brown converted a pair of beautiful crossing passes by Ike Eagles within a two-and-a-half minute span.
“We’ve been practicing those,” said Coughlin. “It’s a good time for them to be paying off.”
Brown’s first goal was scored in transition after an interception at midfield. His second was from an almost stationary position on the far post.
“I had myself in the right position and was able to put it in the back of the net,” said Brown.
The first-half scoring was complete after Eric Christie’s goal at the 24:39 mark. Sophomore reserve Sam Carter completed the scoring just 1:33 into the second half.
“They’re a tough team, and they’re well prepared,” said Rangeley coach Chip Smith. “They’re where we want to be (as a program).”
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