LEWISTON — Bates will host the SoccerMaine State Cup games for the first time on Sunday at Garcelon Field.

The tournament will bring a slate of five games, headlined by the Under-17 State Cup Final at 12:20pm between MCU Portland Phoenix and Seacoast United Mariners.

The games will begin at 9am, when MCU Portland Phoenix Under-18’s face off against Seacoast United Mariners. Phoenix players Peder Knoth and Paul Runyambo will be getting an early feel for the campus, before they attend Bates as incoming students in the fall of 2013.

Action in the Under-18 age group will continue at 10:40am, when defending state champions Seacoast United Crew play against Seacoast United Black Bear. The Crew feature two players who have committed to play Division I soccer in the fall in Matthew Saunders (Navy) and Elliot Maker (Boston University). Crew tri-captain Jack Martell will also attend Bates as a freshman this fall.

At 12:20pm, the Phoenix and Mariners will face off in game 1 of a best-of-three State Cup Final series. The two teams feature many of the most talented high school juniors in Maine; several college coaches are likely to be in attendance to evaluate the players and enjoy the game.

The day will be capped off by two games in the Under-16 State Cup competition. At 2pm, the MCU Portland Phoenix Under-16 team will face Seacoast United Blackbear.

The final game of the day will be all-Seacoast affair. Seacoast United Mariners will face off against Seacoast United Showcase, who are led by former Bates assistant coach Paul Cameron.

“We are very proud to be involved in the youth soccer community here at Bates, and this is a great way to have our campus become a part of the Maine soccer scene,” Bates soccer coach Stewart Flaherty said. “Many talented players from Maine have excelled in the NESCAC, in Division I and at the game’s professional levels. We hope that continues, and that some will excel at both Bates and other colleges in the future.”


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