Tue, 10/11/2016 - 2:30pm

PHIL DI VECE News Contributor

Grant Hefler, shown here earlier in the season, scored one of Wiscasset’s two goals against visiting Winthrop Saturday. PHIL DI VECE/Wiscasset Newspaper

The Wolverines defeated Winthrop High School in back-to-back games in Mountain Valley Conference soccer action last week.

Russell Marr and Grant Hefler scored first and second half goals as Wiscasset Middle High School bested the visiting Ramblers 2-1 at Saturday’s homecoming game. Both Wolverine goals were the result of long throw-ins from the sideline by Ethan James.

Marr scored with 14:10 left to go in the first half. Hefler then netted what proved to be the game-winner at 28:10 in the second half of play. The game got exciting when Jay McAughlin scored for the Ramblers with 19:10 left to play in regulation. McAughlin’s goal came on a direct kick following a whistle that went against the Wolverines.

The Ramblers suffered a big blow after their starting goalie Jason Ladd exited with a shoulder injury in the first half. Ladd was having a good game, having recorded a dozen saves before he was hurt.

Conlon Ranta was credited with three saves for WMHS. Wolverine Coach Chris Cossette said afterwards Kevin Lynch and Nate Woodman were defensive standouts in the backfield. “James and Aidan Carlson played well for us at midfield,” he added.

“We clearly controlled the tempo and ball possession but struggled scoring. Their goalie made a terrific save on the play that he was injured on.”

Cossette said the team’s final three games of the regular season will determine where the Wolverines wind up in the playoffs. “We’ll take them one game at a time and hopefully finish high enough in the MVC standings to host a playoff game or two,” the coach continued.

Wiscasset hosts Dirigo at 6 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 13 and then ends the regular season with an afternoon game at Lisbon High School Friday, Oct. 14. The LHS Greyhounds narrowly defeated Wiscasset earlier this season.

At Winthrop on Oct. 4, the Wolverines shut out the Ramblers 3-0; Marr, Brandon Goud and Kevin Lynch were the scorers.

Marr put the Wolverines on the scoreboard at 26:57 of the first half. Twenty minutes later, Goud made it a 2-0 ballgame. Lynch then netted a penalty kick with 7:30 to play.

Ladd was credited with 11 saves on 15 WMHS shots. Ranta saved three.