The George Stevens Academy boys soccer team (6-1) solidified itself as a Class C North title contender on Tuesday afternoon, scoring five goals against third-place Orono (6-2) on the road and assuming first place in the Heal Point standings.
The reigning regional champions from Blue Hill struck early and often on Tuesday, with senior midfielder Reed Pambianco scoring two minutes into play and senior right winger Dominic Nevells securing a brace by the 26th minute.
Orono retaliated with a quick two-goal outburst from senior Jay Tweedie — the forward made the Eagles pay for a couple miscues and weird bounces in the attacking third — but George Stevens remained unfazed and senior Aubrey King headed in a corner in the 36th minute.
The second half was markedly calmer, until Eagle senior forward Fred Coit topped things off in the final four minutes of play with a strike from the edge of the 18-yard box. GSA compiled 18 shots (10 on goal) and seven corners in the 5-2 victory. Orono tallied nine shots (four on goal) and two corners.
The Eagles previously beat Orono 1-0 in their home opener on Sept. 6 and attribute their explosive performance on Tuesday to a sense of urgency plus improved health and chemistry.
“Going into this game, we knew it was going to be huge. Getting the early goal set the tone and pushed them back deeper,” said Pambianco, one of GSA’s two All-Region players. “In that first game we were missing a lot of key players. That made a huge impact.”
George Stevens fueled its attack on Tuesday with aerial through balls from midfield, and low crosses into the penalty box. Newell scored his first goal on a nice combination along the 18-yard box, and his second off a blocked shot from Pambianco.
The Red Riots were never able to fully control the ball downfield on Tuesday and struggled with their first touches.
“GSA put us under pressure all game and we were unable to really control the ball because of that. The times we did get shots on goal were productive, but we just didn’t generate enough of those opportunities,” Orono head coach Dave Hamel said. “GSA played a great game. We’re not applying enough pressure with support behind us.”
Moving forward, George Stevens will host Washington Academy (3-1-1) next Monday at 4 p.m., and then No. 2 Mount View (6-0) next Thursday at the same time. Mount View lost to GSA 4-0 in last year’s regional final, but beat the Eagles 4-1 on Sept. 13.
Meanwhile, Orono will look to bounce back versus Washington Academy at home on Saturday at 1 p.m., and then Bucksport (1-5) away on Oct. 7 at 5 p.m.
