Falcon booters edged by Ramblers

RUMFORD -- There's things happening with the Mountain Valley boys' soccer team that coach Todd Papianou sees as positive signs of things to come. However, for the present time, the growing pains will exist.

The Falcons experienced the highs and lows during a home-opening game at Chet Bulger Field. Senior Austin Glover scored two goals in the first half and the score was knotted up at halftime as the Falcons held their own, but it wasn't meant to be because Justin LaPointe of Winthrop scored midway through the second half to escape with a 3-2 win.

It was a combined effort by the entire MV team who created several chances to pull through, while there was some break downs that still need to be addressed.

“We are working with the offense to be more creative,” said Papianou, regarding the Falcons tenacity to not finish at times. “We still tend to lose a little bit of composure when the ball is going down the grain of (opposition) defense.”

Mountain Valley had started strong, but soon realized that when the Ramblers yelled ''chip" that the ball would be sent into the offensive zone. The defense rotated back to reduce the passing lanes, with senior Garret Carver, junior Mike Theriault and so. Chris Bourret. The trio combined to make repeated tackles and clear balls. Falcon goalie Dakota Jacques (nine saves) charged out of the net on several occasions to cut down the angle or thwart off rushes.

"I have a lot of confidence in our defense,” said Papianou. “We won more (50/50) balls than past Mountain Valley teams.”

Mountain Valley came back with vengeance and pressured the offensive zone, rushes by Andrew Phelps on the right side, left wing Alex Witas and Josh Rainey. It was a free kick by Glover that eluded Winthrop goalie Matt Sekerak (eight saves) and found the back of the net. The high-arching boot was from 25 yards.

Winthrop scored two goals -- Lapointe and Peter Michelsen -- to take a 2-1 lead.

But, the Falcons responded quickly. Off the tap, two quick passes set up Glover in the offensive zone and he drilled the ball past Sekerak,, 12 seconds following the latter Rambler goal.

The Falcons received strong efforts by Tucker Phelps, Shawn Bennett, Brad Marshal and Nate Buotte.