By Bob McPhee,Staff Writer

FARMINGTON – The task ahead of the Mt. Blue boys’ soccer team was clear entering the second half Tuesday trailing by a goal.

Junior Devin Fereirra and the Cougars took command in the final 40 minutes.

Fereirra scored two goals, including the game winner with 2 minutes, 36 seconds remaining, to allow Mt. Blue to rally for a 2-1 triumph against Messalonskee.

Messalonskee displayed a skillful passing attack, but the Cougars (4-2) consistently filled the lanes. This created several opportunities for the Cougars offense.

On the winning play, Zac Conlogue booted the ball ahead and Fereirra tracked it down. Eagles goalie Kyle Joseph came out in an attempt to secure the ball, but Fereirra shot it past the prone netminder.

“It was me and the goalie racing for the ball and I got there first,” Fereirra said.

“We came out in the second half and played strong. We didn’t make many adjustments, but we picked up the pressure.”

Mt. Blue saw how Joseph displayed an aggressive nature for straying far out of the crease. This prompted the Cougars midfielders, led by captain Alex LePage, to kick balls high toward the net.

Fereirra had knotted the score on an unassisted goal at 13:39 of the second half. The Cougar forward deked an Eagle defender, and booted the ball past a sprawled Joseph (10 saves) into the far corner.

“Overall, I though that we played well,” Cougar coach Joel Smith said. “At halftime, we discussed how many good shots we’d had, so I wanted them to elevate their game.”

Messalonskee opened the scoring on a beautiful goal by Matthew Dawes with 11:46 remaining in the first half. The senior dribbled by two Cougars and kicked it past goalie Justin Davis (six saves).

Mt. Blue led in shots, 15 to 10, and took all eight corners in the game. Cougar sweeper Greg Allen played well.

“We passed the ball well,” Cougar forward Dan Hayden said. “At halftime, I could feel some thing good was going to happen and it did.”