Patriots fall short in 2014 opener vs. Lee Academy

By Stuart Hedstrom 
Staff Writer

    MILO — With a small roster of a little more than a dozen players to start the  season, depth loomed as a potential concern for the 2014 edition of the Penquis Valley High School boys soccer team. During a mutual opener against Lee Academy on Sept. 6, the Patriots began with nine players in uniform or two less than the normal 11 on the field.

Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom

    PENQUIS IRON MEN — For most of the game, Penquis played with just eight on the field during the 2014 opener against Lee Academy on Sept. 6 in Milo — a contest won by the Pandas 5-0. Here sophomore Clayton Preble gets to Lee senior Shane White while Penquis sophomore Jacob White and Lee sophomore Howie Francis trail.

    About 10 minutes in the Penquis contingent was reduced to eight following an injury, and for the remainder of the contest the team played 8-on-11 against the Pandas. With the potential for severe weather to hit the area in the afternoon the starting time was moved up from 1 p.m. to 11 a.m., at which time the temperature was approximately 80 degrees with humid air hovering over the region ahead of the storms.
    Lee senior Luka Stevic got his team on the scoreboard 1:44 in as he slipped a shot into the goal for the 1-0 advantage.
    Less than eight minutes later Penquis’ player count was reduced to eight, and at about this point Head Coach Jason Mills opted to have his players not chase too many balls kicked into the offensive zone but instead had his personnel remain near midfield to contain the Pandas. The strategy helped limit the scoring chances despite the 3-player deficit as Lee only scored once more in the opening half (the team added three in half No. 2 as part of a 5-0 victory).

Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom

    1-ON-(30)ONE — Junior Josh Martin and Lee junior Lesar Sahin race toward a loose ball on Sept. 6.

    Penquis did have several scoring opportunities of its own, including one late in the first 40-minute session. Sophomore Clayton Preble hustled down the left side of the field to get to a loose ball and the Lee defense ended up knocking it out of play.
    Junior Josh Martin then threw the ball in and, after having it passed back to him, fired off a long shot on goal. Panda senior keeper Sam Mallett made the save to his left, one of three shots he would stop during the game.
    Martin had another long-distance shot on goal in the game’s final minutes, but this time Mallett leaped to make the save.
    Patriot sophomore Justin Valvo had a busier day than his counterpart, as he made a game-high 15 saves.
    Next on the schedule for Penquis is a home game against Orono High School at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 11.

Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom

    ROLL AT THE GOAL — Making a game-high 15 saves was Penquis sophomore Justin Valvo during a mutual season opener against Lee Academy in Milo on Saturday.

Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom

    AIR BALL — Battling to control the soccer ball is Penquis freshman Noah Zambrano and Lee senior Luka Stevic.