BRUNSWICK

When a Brunswick High School girls soccer player thought the ball was going to bounce, it skid. And, as the fog came rolling in during the second half of the Dragons’ Eastern Maine Class A quarterfinal, the ball bounced instead of skid.

Throughout Wednesday’s contest, sixth-seeded Messalonskee seemed to have an angel on its shoulder, and to the packed side of the visitors stands, many said they felt the presence of soccer player Cassidy Charette, who died in a tragic hayride accident recently.

Though the Eagles tried, even controlled play at times, third-seeded Brunswick found a way, taking a 2-0 decision to advance to the Eastern A semifinals on Saturday against No. 2 Edward Little, which upended rival Lewiston, 1-0 in overtime on Wednesday. The Dragons and Red Eddies will meet on Saturday in Auburn at noon.

The Dragons, who improved to 10-3-2, received a goal each in the second half from Julia Champagne and Kira Wolpow to dash the upset bid of the Eagles, who closed the season with a mark of 7-6-2.

“They were first to every ball the whole game I felt, and they were certainly fired up,” said Brunswick coach Martyn Davison of the Eagles. “We told the girls this was going to be the toughest game that they have ever played because of the emotional aspect, but I felt we handled it well and we will take this victory today. That was as tough of a game that we have had this year.”

Brunswick goaltender Maddie Brescia was at her best, as Messalonskee forwards Kassadi McPherson, Lauren Pickett and McKenna Brodeur pressured the Brunswick defense, outshooting the Dragons 15-9.

“They were coming at us really hard, always pressuring us, and it was pretty scary,” said the Brunswick goaltencder, who had 12 saves to record the shutout. “We were worried about that first goal, especially if they got it.”

Facing three Messalonskee forwards standing nearly 6- foot tall, Brescia knew that she had to be aggressive.

“It was hard to play aggressive because I didn’t want to come out too hard, facing players much bigger than me who could easily hit it over me, but I had to come out aggressive in some spots to get the ball,” said Brescia.

Eagles pressure

Messalonskee controlled the tempo of the opening half, winning most 50-50 balls. McPherson had a chance early in the period that went wide, and both Pickett and Brodeur had their chances of getting the Eagles on the board.

“We wanted this win, and with all the things going on we tried to push through it,” said McPherson, who had four shots on goal. “We missed a lot of loose balls from the goalie and had so many opportunities. I was close several times myself. We worked really hard and deserved to be here.”

“I thought we struggled in the first half, the whole team just in the wrong position with their front three dominating, but you need a goalie to make those saves and she kept a clean sheet,” said Davison of Brescia, who had six of her saves in the opening frame. “We were much better in the second half, but we still had trouble stopping the supply. We went to a 4-3- 3, and though we didn’t play our best game today, sometimes you have to tough out a game.”

With Messalonskee doubleteaming speedy Brunswick forward Maeve Arthur, Davison moved Champagne to forward, a move that paid immediate dividends as Champagne gained possession and launched a shot inside the right post for a 1-0 lead with 24:20 remaining.

“I will play wherever I am told to play, and when I got the ball I just tried to shoot and it went in,” said Champagne. “They came out so hard, and props to them. They didn’t give up and just a great game to them. It is huge for us. We have learned to play it just one game at a time.”

“I felt with Maeve (Arthur), there were two players on her,” added Davison. “We moved her out wide and moved Julia up front and it paid off.”

Despite being behind, Messalonskee kept coming, with Dakota Bragg sending a shot off the crossbar and McPherson twice shooting wide.

The Eagles’ best chance came when Brescia stopped Brodeur, with the rebound bounding over the leg of Brianna Leonard with the net wide open.

Moments later, Wolpow turned two Messalonskee defenders around and beat Eagles goaltender Taylor Easler (three saves) for a 2-0 edge with 12:23 left.

“Kira’s goal, that second goal, we needed that cushion. She made that goal on her own,” said Davison.

Messalonskee pushed back again, with Taylor Poissonnier having three straight shots blocked by the Brunswick defense of Sabina Smith, Sarah Ferdinand and Aidan Sachs.

The Eagles held a 5-3 edge in corner kicks, while Brunswick midfielders Emily Black, Kassidy Scarponi, Alicia Davis, Lena Martin and Champagne played well in the win.

No. 3 Brunswick 2, No.
6 Messalonskee 0

Eastern Maine Class A Girls
Soccer Quarterfinal
At Brunswick
Messalonskee — 0 0 — 0
Brunswick — 0 2 — 2
Goals — (B) Julia Champagne, Kira
Wolpow.
Shots — Messalonskee 15,
Brunswick 9.
Saves — (M) Taylor Easler 3; (B)
Maddie Brescia 12.
Corner kicks — Messalonskee 5,
Brunswick 3.
Records — Brunswick 10-3-2; Messalonskee 7-6-2.
Up next for the Dragons — At No. 2
Edward Little in Eastern A semifinals.
Game begins at noon.

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