The Patriots played their first home game of the season against the visiting Lake Region Lakers and fell 3-2. The scoreline and what was happening in the game are two very different stories. The Patriots lost this game, but not once while watching did anyone think Lake Region was going to win it.
From the opening kickoff the Patriots seemed to have control of this game. They were immediately in the attacking third, putting the ball in threatening spots. The constant pressure led to the opening goal of the game just over ten minutes in. The Patriots passed the ball around the outside of the penalty box until it reached the left side for Ellie Schlicting to send a low cross through the box for Brooke Martin to put into the back of the net. The lead didn’t last long though, the Lakers found an equalizer just over a minute later. A slight miscommunication in the defense saw Shelby Sheldrick get in behind for a one on one situation with Isa Ross, where she calmly sent a hard shot into the net.
The Patriots took the lead again a few minutes later on a chance created by the Patriots center back Amber Fortin. She won the ball at midfield, dribbled around several players down to the left side of the penalty box, sent a ball in that was deflected by the keeper right to the feet of Emma West, who put the ball into the upper right corner of the net. The lead wouldn’t hold for the Patriots though, four minutes later Shelby scored her second of the game when a miscommunication saw a turnover at the edge of the eighteen lead to an open net situation.
As the game progressed, it looked like it was going to head to half time 2-2. The Lakers earned a corner kick with just over three minutes left in the half. The ball was sent into the box, softly cleared out to the top of the box where Kayli Goodwin was waiting all alone, and put a floating shot on goal that somehow managed to stay under the crossbar.
The Patriots were relentless in the second half, keeping the ball in the attacking half of the field for approximately 38 of the 40 minute half. They didn’t give up a shot in the entire second half and had about ten shots on goal themselve, but were unable to beat the Lakers’ keeper.
The Patriots fall to 0-2 on the season, while the Lakers improve to 1-0. The Patriots will be looking to earn their first win of the season when they travel to Fryeburg Academy to take on the Raiders September 9th. Varsity kicks off at 4pm with the JV game to follow.