Buckfield edges Greenville in Western Class D semifinal

By Mike Lange
Staff Writer

    GREENVILLE — When two highly-ranked teams play to a scoreless tie twice in a regular season, fans can usually expect a tight contest on a third try.
    Unfortunately for the Greenville hometown favorites, Buckfield edged the Lady Lakers 1-0 in the Western Maine Class D semifinals as Bri Damon scored the only goal at 8:16 of the second half.

Observer photo/Mike Lange

    AIRBALL – Kali Litchfield of Buckfield (15) and Greenville’s Lindsay Fenn (28) wait for the ball to descend in Friday’s Western Maine Class D semifinal game.

    Damon converted a throw-in from Amanda Paradis just out of Greenville keeper Molly Foley’s reach. The Lady Lakers finished their season at 9-3-3 while the Bucks improved to 9-4-2.
    “It’s a little disappointing when you’re sitting in second place (in the standings) in Western Maine, but we’re a very young team,” said Lakers’ coach Chris Fenn. “If you told me at the beginning of the season that we’d be this close to a title, I wouldn’t have believed you,” Fenn said. “I’m really proud of these kids.”
    The Lakers had no seniors on the team and six eighth-graders, a provision allowed when a high school has less than 100 students.
    Fenn also noted the pair of 0-0 ties in the regular season against Buckfield. “We knew going into this game that whoever scored the first goal would probably win the game,” Fenn said. “Unfortunately, we were on the wrong side of it.”

Observer photo/Mike Lange

    TAKING CONTROL – Annie Kronholm of Greenville (22) brings the ball downfield, chased by Amanda Paradis of Buckfield (6) in Friday’s Western Maine Class D semifinal. Buckfield won, 1-0.

    Buckfield coach Travis Magnusson said that momentum was the key to victory. “The first half was one of the best halves we played all season,” Magnusson said. “But you have to give Greenville credit. They totally outplayed us in the second half. We got that breakaway at the end, there was deflection and that was the only score.”
    Buckfield was strong at both ends of the field during the first 40 minutes of the contest with Ashley Campbell and Damon just missing several scoring opportunities.
    The tables turned in the second half with Greenville’s Lindsay Fenn, Sierra Bussel and Grace Bilodeau finally penetrating the Bucks’ defense. But Buckfield keeper Arrabine Dunn was up to the task, deflecting all of Greenville’s scoring opportunities.
    “We’ll be back next year, stronger than ever,” said the Greenville coach. “We’re disappointed today, but we’ve got a lot to look forward to.”

Observer photo/Mike Lange

    SURROUNDED – Greenville’s Lily Pelletier (16) tries to find an opening between Buckfield’s Kali Litchfield, left, and Alexis Bennett.