Our Communities. Our Teams. Our Future.
We’re proud to make high school sports coverage free for everyone—because these moments matter. At Maine State Credit Union, we’re here for the people and places that make Maine strong. Let’s Go! Learn more at mainestatecu.org.
OAKLAND — Bangor’s Georgie Stephenson is just a sophomore, but has already established herself as veteran of the Class A girls soccer championship match.
Stephenson, who came off the bench and scored twice in last year’s title match against Scarborough, netted the lone goal of Saturday’s rematch in a 1-0 victory.
The warm November match at Messalonskee High was the third straight state final meeting between the Rams (16-1-1) and Red Storm (16-2).
“I think we just all really want to win, so we just give it everything,” Stephenson said. “I definitely give it everything, and I always like scoring.”
Bangor, which outscored opponents 17-1 in the A North tournament, knew Scarborough would be a tough defensive opponent. The Rams only had one clean chance during the first half, but that was all they needed.
Scarborough junior keeper Vera DiSotto (three saves) stopped senior midfielder Clara Oldenburg’s shot from the top right corner of the box. The rebound went straight to Stephenson’s feet, who trailed the shot in anticipation of the ricochet. The sophomore forward tapped in her 36th goal of the season with 14:13 left in the first half.
This was the Red Storm’s only game in these playoffs to end in regulation.
Stephenson had a chance to double the Rams’ lead in the 40th minute, but DiSotto made a gutsy charge to the top of the box to prevent a shot.
Stephenson also had a clear lane to the net in the 78th minute, but Scarborough senior defender Shay Charsky took a yellow card by holding on to a jersey and stopping the play. Oldenburg’s following free kick went wide.
“She plays hard and wins battles for all 80 minutes, and I think that’s a separator for her,” Bangor coach Jay Kemble said. “When you have a kid that has the skill and the grit and competitiveness that she has, (opposing defenses) may keep them down for a little bit, but they’re going to find ways in which to score.”
Stephenson said it was difficult to find gaps in the three-person Red Storm backline, since the Rams were used to playing against four.
Scarborough was able to create multiple counterattacks in the second half, but Bangor used its physicality to slow forward progress or force shots wide from the wings.
“We’re not in the business of moral victories, so that’s frustrating,” Scarborough coach Craig Roberts said. “And I think it’s just, it’s disappointing to the girls and coaches in that terms. Having said that, I think when we step back, we played really well.”
Sophomore back Josie Duncan had Scarborough’s best chance in the 73rd minute on a 30-yard free kick, but Bangor junior keeper Emily Caulkins (six saves) dove to her right and snagged the top-shelf shot out of the air.
“Those plays I see them all the time,” Caulkins said postgame with the Gold Ball trophy snug in her hands. “My pregame ritual, I always watch highlights of my favorite keepers, and today, I made sure to watch the highlights… (I knew) where my feet position needed to be, I knew that girl was gonna hit it try to hit top corner, and I knew exactly where I needed to be.”
Caulkins made a key punchout during a 29th minute corner kick, moments after Scarborough was unable to capitalize on an open net.
Comments are no longer available on this story