Orono soccer completes excellent season with win over Outdated Orchard
Regardless of its identify, the 8-player small soccer state championship recreation was a battle between two giants within the No. 1 Orono Pink Riots and the No. 1 Outdated Orchard Seaside Seagulls.
Ever since competing in final yr’s state title recreation — during which the Seagulls outmuscled the Pink Riots, 46-22 — either side launched into reigns of terror of their respective areas, with Orono successful 9 of 9 within the North by a powerful common margin of 37.2 factors, and the Seagulls successful ten of ten within the South by an unfathomable common margin of 61.
However Orono definitely paid no thoughts to Outdated Orchard’s menacing fame — or final yr’s state ultimate loss — on Saturday at Cameron Stadium in Bangor, ousting the Seagulls 46-18 en path to an ideal season.
After being held scoreless their first two drives, the Pink Riots acquired issues began early within the second quarter, dealing with third and lengthy from their very own 46-yard line in opposition to a stingy Outdated Orchard protection.
Orono junior quarterback Jack Brewer discovered senior Pierce Walston for 11 yards after which junior Will Francis for 10 to get the fourth down conversion. Now in Seagull territory for the primary time all recreation, the Pink Riots calmly parlayed a senior Ben Francis first down run after which a 21-yard landing go from Brewer to Will Francis, Ben’s youthful brother, for the opening rating with 8:22 to go.
From there, the Pink Riots compelled Outdated Orchard to punt into the wind, and continued to frustrate their protection.
On fourth and eight, Brewer beat the blitz and rapidly hit a streaking Pierce Walston for a 27-yard landing go. One Orono fumble restoration later, Brewer discovered the speedy Walston once more for a 58-yard bomb on first down, earlier than Ben Francis simply walked it in to make it 20-0 Pink Riots.
However neither the Seagulls — or their followers — would go away with no battle.
With lower than a minute to work with earlier than the break, Outdated Orchard didn’t hesitate to make issues fascinating, with junior Blady Plante hitting junior Riley Provencher on a 52-yard catch and run.
Out of the blue, the Outdated Orchard camp was buzzing with pleasure, and had an opportunity to soak of their landing over the break.
Sadly for the reigning state champs, nonetheless, Orono got here to play.
Choosing up the place they left off, the Pink Riots countered two extra Outdated Orchard scores within the second half with 4 of their very own, together with three landing runs by Walston to seal the win.
