AUBURN —  With an early lead and a stellar defensive effort, the St. Dom’s soccer team was doing just want it wanted Saturday.

The Saints had built an early lead on the defending Class C state champions from Waynflete and were frustrating the Flyers with superb play defensively.

Though thte Saints were able to keep Waynflete at bay for well over half the game in their Western C semifinal, St. Dom’s could’t finish the job. The Flyers rallied with two goals in the final 18 minutes in a 2-0 win.

“We came ready to play,” said St. Dom’s coach Marty Bressler. “Ultimately, in the playoffs if you don’t get that second goal, it’s really dangerous. They just came back and took the momentum. All they needed was that first goal. I give them a lot of credit. (Waynflete coach) Brandon (Salway) is a great coach and he’s got great players. They did a phenomenal job.”

Tyler Furtado put St. Dom’s (14-1-1) up early in the game and lifted the Saints to a strong start. Waynflete got a goal from Mohammed Suja midway through the second half and the game-winnere with 7:49 left from Clancy Mitchell. The Flyers advance to Wednesday’s regional final at top-ranked Hall-Dale.

“I’m so proud of my kids,” said Bressler. “It was a phenomenal season and a phenomenal effort. We just didn’t have enough in the end. That’s just the way it goes.”

The Flyers (12-2-2) outshot the Saints 15-5 but struggled to put shots away early. Waynflete put many shots wide or had some blocked by the determined Saints.

“They would sit back and we would end up putting them over,” said Waynflete forward Peabo Knoth. “They really did a good job defensively.”

Knoth was heavily marked, which threw the Flyers offense off its game to some extent. He struggled to make things happen through a crowd.

“I’ve been man-marked before, but that’s probably the best I’ve ever had someone on me,” said Knoth.

Furtado put the Saints up just 8:39 into the game. He took a Will Desmarais pass and finished it with a blast from the right wing. It was the Saints first shot of the game.

Between the early deficit and defensive effort by the Saints, the Flyers felt out of sorts early on. Playing from behind was rare for them, but they had trailed Cape Elizabeth in a game a few weeks ago.

“I didn’t think they were going to panic,” said Salway. “I was hoping we were going to wake up. We didn’t have the life we usally do.

“They came out better than we did and put one in early, and that put us on our heels. We were in a funk for awhile, and I give credit to them for that.”

Early in the second half, the Flyers produced some great chances.  Jack Cutler had a tip in front that Saints goalie Ben Sawyer made a diving save on.  Paul Runyambo put a shot over the net. Knoth had a bid broken up by a defender and St. Dom’s managed to block a couple of shots as well.

“I think we got more excited and we played with more urgency,” said Mitchell.

With 17:59 left in regulation, the Flyers got the break they needed. Knoth’s hustle led to a corner kick. Kevin Kanakan’s kick from the left corner was headed in by Suja in front. He had just come off the bench prior to the goal.

“Set pieces is their mantra and they just find a way to score a goal,” said Bressler. “Championship teams always find a way to score a goal when they need one.”

The Saints struggled to recover. Waynflete kept up the pressure and produced the game-winner with 7:49 left.

Knoth made a push toward the goal but had three defenders blocking his path. He dished off to an open Mitchell on the right wing.

“I saw Peabo go toward the goal,” said Mitchell. “So I wanted to get outside of him. He did a little toe tap right to me. I looked up at the goal and saw the far post was open. I tried my best to put it back there.”

St. Dom’s made a desperate attempt to tie it in the final seconds.  Jordan Charest was in front and tipped it on net but defender Max Belleau blocked it. Then in the final minute Rob Pallozzi had a short chip that was saved by keeper Zander Majercik.

“I think a lot of it was tiredness,” said Bressler. “If that (tying goal) doesn’t happen, you would have seen us player harder and harder, despite being tired. That  goal really took the wind out of our sails.”

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