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GARDINER — Top-seeded Bangor Christian used its speed to build a three-goal lead in the first half and cruised to a 5-0 win over Richmond in the eight-player South girls soccer final Thursday.
“I think for the whole year, it’s been our conditioning and the love they have for each other, they’re so close and they do a phenomenal job,” Patriots coach Scott Durost said.
The Patriots will make their first state championship game appearance on Saturday when they face Wisdom at Brewer High School.
Bangor Christian senior captain Mary Allen scored four times, twice in each half.
How did it happen?
The Patriots (17-0) seized control early, taking the lead seven minutes into the first half when Allen redirected a corner kick past Richmond goalie Callie Lemons.
Allen made it 2-0 when she chased down a through ball, outran a defender and ripped a shot from inside the 18.
“I saw the ball in front of me and the goalie, and I thought, OK, it’s time, I have got to just make it,” Allen said of her second goal.
Late in the opening half, Rivers Bradford stepped up to drill a line drive shot, giving Bangor Christian a 3-0 lead.
Allen added two more goals after halftime.
Bobcats hurting
Richmond coach Randy Hinkley said that more than half of the Bobcats (16-1) were battling injuries, and that made it tough to keep up with the Patriots.
“They have a whole team,” Hinkley said. “It’s not just one player. So we made sure we marked up as many players as we could.”
Statistical leaders
• Richmond: Lemons (24 saves)
• Bangor Christian: Allen (four goals); Bradford (goal, two assists); Addison Tucker (two saves)
They said it
• “It’s so important. We talk all season long about just playing like you’re down, playing like you’re tied, and never ever just playing differently when you have a lead. — Mary Allen
• “So you can tell (Allen is) a track star because we work the through balls, we work the flag balls. She does a really good job catching up to them. — Scott Durost
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