Cony girls soccer surges past Lincoln in second half
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AUGUSTA — It was a situation that might have caused concern for the Cony girls soccer team if it had happened a month ago.
Cony’s Kya Douin fends off Lincoln Academy defenders Samantha Kopp, left, and Flannery Brady during Wednesday’s game in Augusta. (Anna Chadwick/Staff Photographer) Purchase this image
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Instead, the Rams responded with a flourish.
After falling behind in the second half, Cony scored two goals in the final 20 minutes to beat Lincoln Academy, 2-1, in a Class B game Wednesday afternoon at Fuller Field.
The Rams (8-4-1) are in a title battle with Hermon, Skowhegan and Belfast for fourth place in the Class B North Heal points standings as they continue their climb after starting the season with three losses in their first four games.
“That was huge, that was a really big game for us,” said Cony junior forward Kya Douin, who had a goal and an assist. “We knew (Lincoln Academy) was a really good team and we had to work hard in the last few practices and just grind it out.”
Here are some other takeaways from Wednesday’s game:
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How did it happen?
After a scoreless first half, Lincoln (8-4) took the lead when sophomore Dory Westhaver pushed the ball into the net from a scrum in front of Cony senior keeper Charlotte Gearhart off a corner kick.
Cony responded less than four minutes later when Douin sent a kick from 17 yards that bent to the left and over the head of Eagles keeper Natalie Hanna.
“You could see, from that moment, we felt like we were going to win,” said Cony coach Michael Sweeting.
Four minutes later, Douin sent a perfectly placed ball up the middle of the field to junior forward Riley Miller, who took off on a breakaway and knocked a low shot past Hanna.
What does it mean?
After a 3-7-4 record a season ago, Cony has already secured its best season under Sweeting. In the last two weeks, the Rams have a victory over Class B North rival Erskine Academy and a tie against Class C South contender Hall-Dale.
“We’re not just a boot-it-and-run team anymore,” Sweeting said. “We still play forward fast, we still try to be aggressive, but it’s with a purpose now.”
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Not only will the Rams be in the playoffs, but with Wednesday’s win, they’ll likely host a preliminary-round game.
“This team has really done a good job of getting together and playing for each other,” said Sweeting, who is in his third year leading the program. “It’s been a little bit of a journey for this team … It looks like we’re going to have a home playoff game next week, and it’s been a minimum of 16 years since (the program) has had that.”
Lincoln entered the match ranked No. 5 in Class B South, with a season sweep over Erskine on its record.
Unsung hero
Playing in her final regular-season game at Fuller Field, Gearhart made six saves for the Rams and was a vocal leader for a defense that allowed just three shots in the second half.
“Our defense is our rock right now,” Douin said. “We have so much faith in them in the back. I don’t worry about them at all.”
Gearhart was one of the two Cony seniors honored before the game, with midfielder Kelsie Huard.
“They really deserve (this win),” Sweeting said of his two seniors.
Statistical leaders
Cony: Kya Douin (1 goal, 1 assist), Riley Miller (1 goal), Charlotte Gearhart (6 saves)
Lincoln Academy: Dory Westhaver (1 goal), Natalie Hanna (7 saves)
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Tagged: Cony Rams, lincoln eagles
Dave Dyer is in his second stint with the Kennebec Journal/Morning Sentinel. Dave was previously with the company from 2012-2015 and returned in late 2016. He spent most of 2016 doing freelance sports. More by Dave Dyer
