Morning Sentinel
Winslow scores 5 in 2nd half to reach Class B title game
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BY DAVE MCLAUGHLIN
Correspondent
Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel 11/05/2009

WINSLOW -- Stalled in a tie game at halftime, the Winslow girls soccer team found its composure. The Black Raiders scored five unanswered goals in the second half on their way to a 6-1 win against Caribou in the Eastern Maine Class B regional final Wednesday.

Freshman Alliyah Veilleux was one of five Winslow players to score, finishing with two goals and two assists as the Black Raiders won the Eastern B title for the fifth time in six seasons.

No. 2 Winslow (17-0-0) advanced to the Class B state championship game to face Western Maine champion York (15-2-0) on Saturday at a site to be determined.

No. 5 Caribou (11-5-1), which defeated No. 4 Gardiner and No. 1 Presque Isle on the road during the tournament, appeared to be in control when it scored five minutes into the game. Paige Small played a long free kick into the penalty area where the ball eluded the Winslow defense. Abby Small gathered the ball on the left side and gave the Vikings the quick lead.

Gradually, the game started to turn in Winslow's favor as the Black Raiders began to gain confidence in their passing game and quickness on the field. Winslow had three strong first half chances -- it hit the crossbar twice and Jordyn Mallett hit an angled shot just wide from 20 yards out.

Constant pressure worked in Winslow's favor when Veilleux beat Caribou keeper Brittany Doak, sending the ball across the box to an open Kaylee Constable for the equalizer with four minutes left in the half.

"I think we were a little nervous when the game started," Winslow coach Scott Wood said. "When we scored with four minutes left, we were able to relax. That really helped us coming out of the halftime."

Winslow's attack and defense were impressive in the second half. The Black Raiders outshot Caribou 16-0. Sweeper Katie Bernard, wing defenders Emily Farrell and Haley Levasseur and back Kelsea Bouchard all played well.

"We did a great job talking and communicating in the back," Winslow goalkeeper Jessica Gordon said. "Our defense was pretty new when we started the season and now we are really playing well as a team."

Winslow took full control of the game during a 12-minute stretch in the second half. Veilleux opened the offensive onslaught with a solo move through the penalty area in the 47th minute, where she hit a sliding ground ball by Doak into the left corner.

"After they got their first goal we were down a little bit, but we got our first goal and that picked us up," Veilleux said. "We were working on our timing and passing and once we got into a rhythm, it started to come."

Levasseur found the net six minutes later from 35 yards, after intercepting an attempted Viking clearance. Levasseur, playing on the right side, lofted a curling shot to the back left corner for a 3-1 lead.

Midfielder Madeleine Daly hit the back post in the 58th minute giving Winslow a comfortable 4-1 advantage.

"One of our problems this season has been finishing," Wood said. "We finished today, especially in the second half."

Veilleux and Myranda Dodge completed the scoring for the Black Raiders.

Gordon finished with five saves, all in the first half. Doak ended with 14 saves on 31 Winslow shots.

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