Senior attacking midfielder Clara Oldenburg and sophomore striker Georgie Stephenson were the second and third-leading scorers last year on the Bangor High School girls soccer team.
And with the departure of last year’s top scorer, Oldenburg and Stephenson are already playing a major role in filling that void.
All-American Teagan Atherley graduated and took her talents to the University of Maine, leaving the defending state champion Bangor team trying to replace her 37 goals and 12 assists last year.
Oldenburg and Stephenson will have a major role in that effort. And through two games, both wins, Oldenburg and Stephenson each have five goals.
They were the difference in a 3-1 win over fellow Class A North contender Mt. Ararat of Topsham Tuesday night. Oldenburg scored twice and Stephenson broke a 1-1 tie with a penalty kick conversion with 4:45 remaining in regulation.
Following a 13-0 win over Lewiston, the Rams were severely tested by a well-organized and skillful Mt. Ararat team that did an impressive job getting numbers back in its penalty area to prevent the Rams from breaking free for high-percentage scoring opportunities.
Both of Oldenburg’s goals were on well-placed shots from the top of the penalty area that sailed over the hands of junior goalkeeper Morgandy Crawford.
Bangor had a decided edge in possession but Mt. Ararat’s ability to create congestion in its penalty area was effective and led to four blocked shots. Most of Crawford’s nine saves were of comfortable ones.
The Eagles generated dangerous counter attacks from time to time with aggressive goalkeeping from Emily Caulkins and Bangor’s speedy back line being able to snuff those out.
Oldenburg gave Bangor a 1-0 lead with just 13:09 left in regulation but Katherine Therriault cancelled it out four minutes later by slamming home a rebound from a scramble in the Bangor penalty area.
Stephenson’s authoritative penalty kick decided it before Oldenburg added an insurance tally.
“It was a little nerve-wracking but I knew I had to stay confident because bad thoughts are never good,” Stephenson said. “I always stay positive.”
“We played really well,” said Oldenburg, whose Rams had a 21-10 edge in shot attempts. Bangor put nine of those shots on goal compared to three for Mt. Ararat.
One of the key moments in the game came midway through the first half when Caulkins made a tremendous save off freshman Hannah Hunt to keep the game scoreless. She dove to her right to get her hand on the well-placed curling shot by Hunt.
“I went full stretch for that,” said Caulkins, who missed most of last season with a hand injury. “I definitely got some turf burn but you’ve got to love it.”
Had the visitors scored a game-opening goal on that play, the outcome could have been different.
Oldenburg had 25 goals and 24 assists a year ago en route to All-New England and All-State honors. Stephenson had 15 goals and seven assists.
Both know they have big shoes to fill with Atherley’s departure, but they are ready for the challenge.
“Teaghan was a great player and now Georgie has stepped into her position and is doing really well,” said Oldenburg.
Stephenson said she knows it will be important for her to improve on her goal total from last fall.
Oldenburg is both a capable goal scorer and facilitator who has a high soccer IQ and excellent field vision. She has the ball on her foot a substantial amount.
Stephenson is a strong, speedy, small forward whose low center of gravity makes it difficult to knock her off the ball. She is an accurate shooter and gets her shots off quickly.
Stephenson attempted seven shots and put five of them on goal.
Both will be heavily marked like they were by Mt. Ararat and will have to find ways to get separation and some space to shoot or make plays.
They have shown that ability so far.
Mt. Ararat coach Kevin Flaherty said the game had a “playoff atmosphere” and was very proud of his team’s performance and the way they fought throughout the game.
“Bangor has a lot of talent. We countered when we needed to. It was just the second game of the season and we will continue to grow,” said Flaherty, who felt his backs and midfielders did an exceptional job.
Versatile Gabby Roy, who can play a number of positions, and backs Jo Jo Clukey, Sophia Chase and Avery Clark turned in strong performances for Bangor. The same was true for Gabby Gordon, who assisted on Oldenburg’s first goal.
The visiting Eagles received stellar outings from defenders Jenna Jensen, Breanna Eves and Kayleigh Wagg along with midfielder Julianna Allen and forward Hunt.
Bangor will travel to South Paris on Thursday for a 5:45 p.m. game at Oxford Hills while 1-1 Mt. Ararat entertains Brewer at 7 p.m. Friday.
