PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The Easton Bears soundly defeated the Maine School of Science and Mathematics (MSSM) in a Class D boys soccer quarterfinal match on Wednesday by a final score of 9-0.
The match ended in the second half via the mercy rule with Easton blowing out the MSSM Penguins. Easton advanced to the Class D semifinal match in the Maine Principal Association tournament against defending regional champion Madawaska.
“Our passing has been the key ingredient all year,” said Easton head coach Ryan Shaw. “We move the ball well and everybody stays on the same page and it can be fun to watch.”
Easton’s rally began in the first half with a goal scored by Ashton Baglee to put the Bears up 1-0 that was quickly followed up with another goal by Baglee and two goals scored by Zach Pelletier to close the period out 4-0.
Easton extended its lead over MSSM with three goals by team captain Owen Sweeney and individual goals scored by Raiden Cochran and Trey Brewer.
“It took us a second to get used to the turf but we got our heads back in it and got it going,” said Dawson Lamoreau, Easton senior team captain.
Easton entered the game to put th in first place for northern Class D teams with an 11-2-1 record. Easton’s previous match was against Katahdin on Monday, Oct. 16 with a final score of 6-2.
Easton’s semifinal match against Madawaska will be on Friday, Oct. 27. The last time Easton was first in the Class D bracket was in 2013, according to Shaw.
“As a team I feel like we did very well [in tonight’s game] and if we play like that we shouldn’t have any problems,” said Owen Sweeney, Easton team captain.
