TOPSHAM — There’s one thing some members of the Lewiston boys’ soccer team are especially good at. That is acceleration.

Friday night, the Blue Devils went from 0-0 to 2-0 in about 24 seconds. That stunningly quick lead held up as Lewiston claimed a second straight KVAC title with a 4-1 win over Bangor.

The Blue Devils beat the Rams by the same score last year only to lose to Messalonskee in penalty kicks in the quarterfinals.

“History says that a team that wins 4-1 doesn’t necessarily have an easy road,” said Lewiston coach Mike McGraw, whose team hosts Mt. Blue in the quarterfinals next week. “Last year, we beat them 4-1 and they go on to win the state championship. In the whole season, we were the only team to put them on the wrong end of a result and that was a KVAC championship. They won out the rest of the way.

“This is a nice award. It’s great for our school. It’s a great accomplishment for our kids, but the playoffs are coming up and we have to continue working to improve.”

Lewiston (11-2-1) got three goals from Benji Saban and a goal and an assist from Mohamed Ali.

Lewiston’s speed proved too much for Bangor (11-1-2).  Many times the Blue Devils would get possession of the ball and be surrounded by Ram defenders. Then one quick burst of speed created space and a scoring opportunity.

“Team defense, I thought we played well, but there’s only so much you can do when a team has electric pace like that,” said Bangor coach Dave Patterson. “Some of their guys have an extra gear, and it’s something we haven’t seen before this year.”

The two quick goals came late in the first half. Ali netted the first one. He took a pass from Abdibaari Hersi and drilled a shot from in front with 3:24 left in the first half. Then 24 seconds later, Bangor keeper Lian Harrigan came out for a loose ball but was beaten to it by Saban. The Lewiston senior put the moves on and fired the ball into an open net.

“It was a great feeling to be up 2-0,” said Saban. “I tricked him. I faked him and went the other way. He thought I was going one way, and I went the other.”

It was a stunning turn of events. The teams had played evenly in the first half. Bangor had some of the better scoring opportunities. John Szewczyk had a header off an Alex Shi pass, but keeper Eric Soucy made a nice save and then stopped a bid on the rebound. Nate Bach had a steal and a shot go wide, and Shi had a direct kick miss the net.

In the second half, Bangor came out strong. Lewiston was resting comfortably on its lead, and the Blue Devils didn’t have the same intensity it had in the first half.

“We started slowing down because we had the two goals and thought that was going to win the rest of the game,” said Saban.

Bangor changed that just 3:43 into the half. Szewczyk followed up a rebound and fired it inside the left post to make it 2-1.

“We wanted to play with a little bit of pride,” said Patterson. “The two goals at the end of the first half were very deflating. We hadn’t been in that situation, and I challenged the boys to respond well in the second half. We made a game of it and showed some pride. We got a goal, but unfortunately that pace kicked in again.”

Szewczyk had another bid in front that Soucy saved. He also got to the rebound shot by Marcus Adams at the left post.

“With Eric, the defense in front of him is pretty formidable, but he’s doing the things he has to do,” said McGraw. “Eric’s making saves when he has to.”

Lewiston ended the suspense with 13:46 left. Kusow Aden put the ball ahead for Saban. He burst past two defenders for an open shot.

“I knew I was going to score again,” said Saban. “I just went in and shot it.”

Saban added another tally with 12 seconds left, off a feed by Ali.

“I told them at halftime that we had to be ready,” said McGraw. “We knew they were going to come out strong. They’re a well-coached team. They’re poised. They’ve been there before. They know they can scored when they get the chances.”

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