RUMFORD — Alex Saure scored the game-winning goal and the Mountain Valley Falcons kept their slim playoff hopes alive with a 3-2 win over the Mt. Abram Roadrunners in boys’ soccer action Wednesday at Chet Bulger Field.
It was an important matchup because Mountain Valley knew it had to win in order to earn a Class B South playoff spot.
Mt. Abram, ranked ninth in the Class C Heal points, has been snake bitten of late and lost its fifth straight game by one goal. Mountain Valley is ranked 12th in Class B South and needed a win to have any chance at moving on.
With the score tied two, the Falcons’ pressure led to Saure kicking the ball between the defense and past goalie XP Romanoski (14 saves) with 5:37 left to play.
“I was just looking for a gap between the players,” said Saure, who is an exchange student. “Actually, I tried passing the ball and it went through.
“This is the best feeling in the world.”
Mt. Abram (4-7-1) immediately went on the attack and advanced the ball in to the zone. Sean and Even Allen each had chances, but couldn’t convert.
“These guys never quit all season long, They are a gritty bunch and I am so glad for the seniors on senior night,” Mountain Valley coach JT Taylor said. “I was very animated during halftime because we had made some mistakes and blown a two-goal lead.”
Mountain Valley (4-6-2) came out on fire and scored a goal two minutes into the game. Zack Burgess drilled a ball inside the left post. John Pepin assisted on the play.
Later on, Mountain Valley reversed the action, and sophomore Garrett Garbrini booted a deflection after Romanoski dove to block a shot.
Down 2-0, the Roadrunners regrouped and began hitting its marks with passes. Freshman Tyson Hill scored off a corner kick at the left post.
The Roadrunners had adjusted and moved Evan Allen in to the middle in order to distribute the ball. The freshman scored when his kick bounced off a Falcons defender and past goalie Jacob Beauchesne (12 saves).
“We used a different formation, having moved Evan in the middle. He’s the best freshman in the MVC,” Mt. Abram coach Darren Allen said.
“In the second half, we just couldn’t handle the physicality that Mountain Valley showed us.”
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