Saturday, November 14, 2009

Wolverines Complete Undefeated Regular Season

The Wolverines traveled to Exeter, NH to take on Phillips Exeter Academy under the lights. In the final regular season game of the year for Bridgton they faced off against the second ranked team in the NEPSAC East.

In the first half each team had scoring opportunities, however neither could convert. "We had some great shots, we hit two posts and the crossbar once, just couldn't get one in," said Head Coach Kevin Mellon of the first half. Exeter held a 5-4 advantage in shots at the half, which was tied 0-0.

In the second half the Wolverines came out fired up and, "figured out what we needed to do," added Mellon. It was not until the 86th minute that BA would finally capitalize. Coming off of a ball volleyed into the box by Ronaldo Vieira (Framingham, MA) Dillon Flynn was able to make his way through a crowd and find the back of the net for the first goal of the game.

Just a minute later Exeter had a corner kick that brought all of their players into the Bridgton box, after the initial scoring attempt by Exeter, Vieira was able to clear the ball to midfield where he found a wide open Ethan Martin (South Burlington, VT) who had a break away with only the goalie to beat. Martin found the bottom right corner for a 2-0 lead.

However, Exeter did not give up, in the 88th minute they scored to cut the lead to 2-1, but time would run out and Bridgton held on for the win.

"Exeter is one of the best teams we have faced all year, they played us very well" commented Mellon. Bridgton out shot Exeter 10-3 in the second half and 14-8 in the game. The win improves BA's record to 14-0-1 overall and 11-0-1 in NEPSAC play.

Concluding the regular season undefeated for the first time since 1982, when Bridgton went on to be the Maine State Champs with a record of 9-0-1. This is the first undefeated regular season for Bridgton in NEPSAC play.

The Wolverines wait to find out their playoff fate which will be announced Sunday afternoon.

Wolverines Cut Down Lumberjacks

Bridgton Academy took its shortest trip of the fall to take on Hebron Academy. Competing in its final MAISAD competition of the season the Wolverines easily handed the Lumberjacks a 4-0 loss.

In a game that was not as close as the score indicated, the Wolverines jumped on top early and then controlled tempo and play the remainder of the game. In just the second minute of play Omar Khartabil (Hampstead, NH) took a pass from Steve Palumbo (Kingston, NH) and found the back of the net. Just six minutes later Khartabil would score again, this time unassisted. Bridgton took a 2-0 lead into the half.

In the second half Nick Christensen (Waterville, ME) headed a cross from Dillon Flynn (Chapel Hill, NC) into the goal for a 3-0 lead. In the 77th minute Rob Palumbo (Kingston, NH) completed the scoring by converting on a pass from Ronaldo Vieira (Framingham, MA).

Bridgton out shot Hebron 19-2, Coach Mellon said, "It was not our best game of the season, but it was nice to take a short ride and posses the ball and control play in the way we did."