Late goal gets Lake Region past Gray-New Gloucester 4-3 in Western Maine Conference Class B girls soccer

Sophomore Kristen Huntress sets to rip home the game-winner with 23 seconds left.

Junior Maddie Simms had the hat trick for Lake Region

(Naples ME) The Lake Region Lakers girls soccer team defeated the Gray-New Gloucester Patriots, 4-3, on a controversial goal with 23 seconds left on Friday night in Western Maine Conference action.

Sophomore Kristen Huntress ripped home the game-winner after a collision and a turnover gave her a wide-open, close-in, look.

GNG coach Kiaran McCormack protested the goal vehemently enough to draw a yellow card. He could have been complaining about the collision between the Lakers’ Melody Millett and the Patriots’ Izzy Detroy that put Kristen Huntress into glorious scoring position or the apparent off-sides by at least two Lakers. Take your pick. They both appeared to have credence but on this night play continued and the excited Lakers had a very happy ending.

The wind was a factor in this game. GNG (2 goals) had it in the first half and the Lakers (3 goals) in the second.

Junior Maddie Simms registered a hat trick for LR. Her third goal put the home team ahead 3-2 with 12 1/2 minutes left in the game. That lead looked like it might hold up but with 1:25 to go, freshman Emma Woods beat Lakers GK Isabel Scribner to the ball and tied the score. It was Emma’s second goal of the game and 5th of the season.

The Patriots celebrate the tying goal with 1:25 left in the game.

And again that goal looked like it would hold up but the Lakers pressure produced the game-winner by Kristen Huntress just over a minute later.

The Patriots (1-2) had a bunch of chances in the first half led by sophomore Kaelyn Woods.

The most dangerous player for the Patriots, in my opinion, was senior Maria Valente. It was her throw-ins that were so amazing. She put several long-distance tosses into the box setting up scoring chances. Sarah Giggey capitalized on one of Maria’s throw-ins in the first half to give GNG a 2-1 lead.

Maria Valente had an assist on a throw-in

The Patriots hit the crossbar in each half.

Kristen Huntress had a great look at a straightaway shot that sailed just over the crossbar in the second half.

The Lakers (2-1) are off to a surprising start. Last season LR won only two games all season. Last season LR scored a total of eleven goals. Already they have six. It certainly has helped the Lakers to start the season with three straight home games. Can they do as well away from home?

Sophomore Melody Millett had assists on the first and fourth Lakers’ goals.

A big part of the Lakers’ early success has been the quality defensive play of Devynn Turner and Katie Throgmorton. Their decision making has been solid.

Lakers’ GK Isabel Scribner continued with her very aggressive style. Despite being burned twice taking chances, she robbed the visitors several times using the same approach. Fun to watch but I’m not sure what it does for the LR coaching staffs’ heart rate!

(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)