The Midcoast United U-12 soccer team continued their undefeated streak with an impressive 4-3 win over the Seacoast Mariners on Sunday, June 2. The Mariners jumped to a 2-0 lead with a goal in the third minute of play followed by a free kick in the fourth minute.

After that wake-up call, the Midcoast players settled down and got to work. Attacking midfielder Avery Stewart showed great hustle and goalkeeper Timmy Chappelle made several saves.

Midcoast had some scoring opportunities throughout the first half; they then turned the tide in the 26th minute with Simon Spear dribbling past several Mariner defenders and striking a fine free shot from outside of the box into the net. Will Shaffer followed that up with a well-placed strike on a free kick that arced over the Mariners wall of players into the top corner of the goal to tie up the match at 2-2 just before the half.

With a rest from the heat, both teams returned to the pitch. The Mariners came out with renewed vigor, but were matched by Midcoast at every turn. Timmy Chappelle made a leaping save to lift a goal-bound ball up and over the bar. Spear bested the Mariners goalkeeper by smashing a penalty kick into the left corner in the 35th minute of play.

With Midcoast’s offense and defense rolling smartly along like a well-oiled machine, the Mariners could only come up empty in their attempts to move the ball down the field. Spear earned a hat trick in the 46th minute by relentlessly working the ball up the field with his teammates and scoring a goal to make it 4-2. Spear had another opportunity, but was rebuffed with a save by the Mariners keeper.

With the clock winding down, Midcoast lost a bit of steam and allowed the Mariners to easily score on a breakaway. Midcoast maintained control of the ball and the game for the last few minutes and the match ended 4-3, with the win going to the overheated but happy Midcoast team and its coach, Lester Spear.

On June 2, the Midcoast United U10 team met the Patriots under the scorching sun at the Clifford Playground in Boothbay. The Patriots came out strong but were met with stiff resistance from the Midcoast defense (Ryan Russell and Grady Suhr).

A shot early on by left wing Wyatt Pinkham went wide, leaving room for the Patriots to take the lead 1-0. Getting into the groove, the Midcoast team fought back in the second half and were able to tie the game with Ben Pearce scoring in the last few minutes.

The Midcoast U10 team will try to maintain their undefeated status this weekend as they face WMU in Farmington at 2 p.m. on June 9.