Wolverine Soccer: Six Unanswered Goals Send BA to Victory

Bridgton Soccer matched its win total from a year ago in just its sixth contest of the year. The Wolverines picked up a 6-1 victory over Winchendon School for their fifth win this year. Standing at 5-0-1, the Wolverines are yet to lose a game this season, however found themselves in a situation they had not yet faced this year. Bridgton allowed the first goal of the game for the first time this season, however that was not until the second half of the game.

Entering the half the teams were tied 0-0, Ryne Tillman (Bedford, MA) kept the first half shutout intact by making a great save on a breakaway attempt in the tenth minute. The Wolverines were not without chances, they missed several opportunities as their inability to finish in the first half continued. During halftime Coach Mellon spoke to his team about the importance of coming to play right from the start. "Winchendon was another physical team, and made us realize that we are not invincible."

The second half started with Winchendon taking a 1-0 lead just five minutes into the half. From that point on it was all Black and Gray. BA went on to score six unanswered goals to win the game going away 6-1.

Rob Palumbo (Kingston, NH) got Bridgton on the board first as he was able to finish a pass from Omar Kharabil (Hampstead, NH). Four minutes later twin brother Steve Palumbo (Kingston, NH) scored off of an Ethan Martin (South Burlington, VT) pass. Martin was then on the receiving end of a pass from Rob Palumbo, which he volleyed into the top corner. Bridgton then scored three goals in nine minutes to finish the game off with a furry. Collecting goals were Steve Palumbo, Ronaldo Vieira (Framingham, MA), and Martin in the 80th, 81st and 89th minute respectively. Vieira assisted on Steve Palumbo's second goal of the game as the other two went unassisted.

Ethan Martin finished the day with five points on two goals and an assist, his second consecutive game scoring two goals. Steve Palumbo collected two goals, his second consecutive game with at least one goal. Rob Palumbo had one goal and one assist, and Vieira collected three points on one goal and one assist.

"Once we adjusted to their style of play, we were able to stop what they were trying to do on offense and attack them," said Captain Steve Palumbo. "They were more skilled than other teams we have played, so once they scored we needed to step up."

Coming off a game in which the Wolverines edged out a 4-3 victory over Milton Academy, Assistant Coach Tom Bishop said the difference was, "our intensity, being down made us play harder and as soon as we scored in the second half we were a different team."

Bridgton has two home games this week, on Wednesday at 4:00PM against Bowdoin JV and then on Saturday at 3:30PM during Parents Weekend they take on Holderness School.