The Midcoast United Soccer club kicked off its spring season with intensity at Clifford Playground on April 28, hosting four games on their home turf. By the end of the day, Midcoast walked away with three wins and a tie.

Midcoast’s U9 team did double duty in the season opener, facing both Central Maine United and the Gray-New Gloucester Patriots. Midcoast tied Central Maine 2-2 and defeated the Patriots 4-2.

Midcoast U10 defeated Western Maine United, 2-1.

In U12 play, Midcoast United defeated the Bangor Seacoast Blackbears, 3-1.  After ten minutes of play, Simon Spear capitalized on a penalty to score first for Midcoast. Midcoast midfielder Will Shaffer scored next, with an assist by Ella Spear, to make the score 2-0.

With a strong defense (Ben Jacobs, Ethan Carmolli, Ella Spear, Patrick Gudroe and Aidan Manahan) and good ball distribution by goalkeeper Timmy Chappelle, Midcoast was able to keep pressure on the Blackbears’ goal for most of the game.

In the second half, the Blackbears scored their sole goal on a penalty kick. With five minutes left, striker Markus Russell scored the final goal, giving Midcoast a 3-1 win.  

Simon Spear said, “I think having Peter Oestergaard on the sideline is a great addition for our team, not only is he working with us in practice but he is helping us translate to game situations.”

On Sunday, May 5, Midcoast’s U12 and U9 teams picked up wins and the U10 team lost a hard fought match in away matches.

Midcoast’s U12 team picked up its second win of the season against the Portland Phoenix in Westbrook.  As in their first game, Midcoast midfielder Spear scored the first goal, followed by another by Shaffer to give Midcoast a 2-0 lead. Near the end of the first half, Markus Russell scored on a breakaway to put Midcoast up 3-0 and Shaffer scored again in the second half to increase Midcoast’s lead to 4-0.

Goalkeeper Chappelle and the Midcoast defensive line were able to keep the opposition from scoring until the final moments of play. Mixing it up, with goalkeeper Chappell moved to striker and a new defensive line, allowed the Phoenix to break through and end the game 4-1 Midcoast.

Midcoast's U10 team had an amazing start in their game against Merrymeeting on May 5.  Sam Sinibaldi scored Midcoast’s first goal and Jake Fowler soon followed suit, giving Midcoast a 2-0 lead. Tony Marino, new goalkeeper, did a great job in the net.  

However, without substitutes, Midcoast was unable to hold its lead in the second half, falling to Merrymeeting, 3-2.

Midcoast’s U9 team traveled to Gray-New Gloucester on May 5 to take on the Patriots. The Patriots started things off with a goal halfway through the first half, but Midcoast’s Jack Duncan quickly retaliated to tie the score.

The Patriots fought through the tough defense of Gavin Loupe and Eric Drappeau to score another goal, followed up by a third. Duncan put another ball into the net for Midcoast, bringing the halftime score to 3 to 2, in favor of the Patriots.

Aidan Foley made some strong saves in the net for Midcoast during the first half and Andrew Gudroe defended the net during the second half.

Duncan put in his third goal of the day with the help of some great teamwork by Connor Vashon and Maddox Tilas, to tie the game at the start of the second half.

Tough work and good passing by both Kayla and Garrett Cossette helped to set up two more goals by Duncan. The Patriots came back late in the game to put another in the net, but it was not enough. Midcoast took the match, 5 to 4.

All Midcoast teams will be playing this weekend. The U12 team plays at home Sunday May 12 at the Clifford playground at 10 a.m.

For more information on the Midcoast United Soccer club visit our website at: www.midcoastunited.com/.