(Fryeburg) Sometimes the coach knows best.
It seemed to work out that way in Friday afternoon’s girls soccer game between Lake Region and Fryeburg Academy.
The Lakers won the game 1-0.
Margo Tremblay scored the eventual game-winner on a direct free kick with less than three minutes left in the first half.
“The girls wanted to run a play that we’ve been working on,” said LR coach Peter Webb afterwards. “It’s a side play that goes around the wall. They looked at me and I said, ‘Put it on net,’ because Margo (Tremblay) can put it there every time.”
Margo’s shot turned out to be quite remarkable. She chipped the ball over the Raiders wall and it hit the under part of the crossbar behind FA goalie Maya Meehan. Down the ball went from there and into the net behind Maya.
“Coach (Webb) said at halftime that he thought I could make it so that’s why he had me take it,” explained Margo post-game.
Aside from Margo’s goal, the home team Raiders had the best scoring chances.
“I think that they had only one good shot on goal,” said FA coach Dave Hart afterwards, “and that was the one that went in.”
This was the season opener for both teams.
The weather was “typical” early fall Maine weather…….40’s when you wake up and in the 70’s in the afternoon when you’re playing/watching a soccer game.
Both coaches substituted freely because of the heat. There were several moments of confusion as players acclimated themselves to new positions.
“We were in a lot of positions we aren’t normally in,” said Margo, “so it was hard adjusting.”
“We got tired, and people got out of position,” said Coach Webb. “We had people in positions they weren’t used to.”
Hard-luck FA had the best chances to get on the board. Their golden opportunities fell short because of LR goalie Emily Rock, the goal frames, and in-front misfires.
“Their goalie has good hands,” said FA coach Dave Hart. “She made it harder for us today.”
“We did have some good shots,” he added. “Some off the frame. Some off the posts.”
“The posts helped me once or twice,” said Lake Region goalie Emily Rock with a smile afterwards. “Sometimes they helped a lot!”
Both coaches commended the efforts of their respective teams.
“Overall, we’re happy with our first performance,” said Coach Hart.
“The effort was there,” said Coach Webb. “We’ve only had a couple of preseason games to work with.”
Emily Rock: “I love being in goal. I appreciate my field players so much. I’m a very vocal goalie, I’d say. Kaylie Goodwin has the best touch on the ball and she’s only a sophomore. I plan to play softball in college in state for the in-state tuition. If someone wanted me to play soccer, however, I wouldn’t be opposed.”
Coach Webb: “Emily is a senior. She is solid and she kept us in this game today.”
Margo Tremblay: “Emily is amazing. She’s the whole reason we do good. She always has the most positive attitude which really helps us in the games.”
(I am working these days as a MaxPreps photographer. I took plenty of pictures from today’s game that aren’t in this blog entry. They will be posted eventually in the MaxPreps section for both schools. Check them out. I am also on Instagram (McClelland Miscellanea). Some of the pictures on this blog will be directed to players on that site.)
McClelland Miscellanea 