READFIELD — Kodey Solmitz said there is no doubt he will be kicking himself for a missed opportunity. Braden Maillet isn’t quite sure how he broke the play up.

When Maranacook and Winslow faced off in a Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference Class B boys soccer game Friday afternoon, Maranacook’s Solmitz had the best scoring opportunity of the game, early in the second half. Winslow’s Maillet made sure the game remained scoreless, and that’s how it ended.

Maranacook dominated possession and limited Winslow’s scoring opportunities, but the Black Raiders kept the Black Bears off the board in a 0-0 tie.

“It was tight,” Maillet said. “It’s not a win, but it is better than a lose.”

Both Winslow and Maranacook remain unbeaten after Friday’s tie. Winslow has yet to give up a goal and is now 7-0-2. Maranacook, which had outscored its opponents 32-2, is now 9-0-1.

“I thought we played all right. They had a lot of guys in the box and they are good athletes, so it is tough,” Maranacook coach Don Beckwith said. “And they have a good goalie behind them. They are going to be tough to beat if they continue to play that way.”

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Maranacook dominated possession throughout the first half and outshot Winslow 7-1, but was not able to get on the board. The Black Bears had their best chance of the game when Solmitz got possession of the ball with Winslow goalie Alex Berard out of position after making a play on the ball. Solmitz said his first touch was good, but then the ball took a bit of a bad bounce, and as he took his second touch, Maillet broke up the play.

“I went to kick it and it bounced off the kid,” Solmitz said. “I went to kick it with my left foot and it had backspin and the kid kicked it out.”

Added Maillet: “I didn’t even know where I was, I just saw the ball and out it went.”

Maranacook carried the play throughout and allowed just two shots on goal by Winslow. The Black Raiders played without captain David Grant and lost stopper Connor Wildes to injury late in the first half. Winslow’s defense, led by Maillet and Berard’s 11 saves, played aggressive and kept Winslow off the board.

“A week before, I was thinking going into it I wouldn’t be happy with a tie, but coming into and as the game went on we were down a few players, so we are happy with a tie,” Winslow coach Aaron Wolfe said. “They obviously controlled the ball and we had very few chances. They are a very good team.”

Scott Martin — 621-5618

smartin@centralmaine.com


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