The Orono boys soccer team was dealt its only loss of the season on Saturday as Hall-Dale defended its Class C title.
After surviving an overtime thriller in the North regional title game that went to penalty kicks, Orono’s late-game brilliance came up just short as the Red Riots fell 1-0 to Hall-Dale in the second overtime period on Saturday.
But the hard-faught loss couldn’t mar Orono coach David Hamel’s pride in his team and the remarkable run they had this year.
“It was a great season. It was a great run, just came up short,” Hamel said after the loss. “I mean, I don’t think either team would have left the field today feeling like they didn’t put everything into the effort. Someone has to lose. They scored when they needed to. We didn’t, and you know, they get the win.”
Hall-Dale’s Karter Eldridge provided the game-winning goal in the second overtime period, sending the ball far-post for what Hamel called a “great goal” to claim the state championship.
Hamel also credited the Hall-Dale goalkeeper for shutting Orono out for the first time all season.
Orono finished 16-1-1 on the year, and Hall-Dale ends the season 15-1-2.
Hamel said the Red Riots will surely miss the talented group of seniors that led this team to the state title game. But he also agreed when asked about the promising crop of underclassmen on the Orono squad and the prospect of continued success for the program.
“Yeah, that was exactly the message,” Hamel said. “Obviously I said we’re going to miss our seniors immensely — their leadership, but also their play. But the future is bright.”
That future will surely be informed by the sting of Saturday’s loss. Hamel emphasized that his players watched Hall-Dale receive their gold ball trophy and applauded their victorious opponents.
“I’m glad they did that, because I want them to see the exhilaration Hall-Dale feels,” Hamel said.
And his message to his players after that moment?
“Bottle that, remember that, and try to have that same feeling a year from now,” Hamel added.
