WATERVILLE — The Winslow run to the Class B North regional title took another step forward Saturday.
The No. 2 Black Raiders got a pair of goals from Andrew Poulin and a goal and two assists from Levi Olin, including a successfully converted penalty kick late in the opening half, to post a 3-0 shutout win over No. 3 Ellsworth in a regional semifinal at Colby College’s Alfond Field.
Winslow (17-0-0) hasn’t allowed a goal in three postseason games, outscoring opponents 22-0 over that span.
“We’ve got this kid right here,” Olin said, nodding toward Poulin, who was standing to his left. “Andrew, he’s got such quick acceleration he can just get right by guys. Once he does that, he’s right in.”
Winslow will travel to Hampden Academy to meet either No. 1 Presque Isle or No. 4 John Bapst in the Class B North final on Wednesday night.
It was a quick start, with Poulin putting the home team on the board less than five minutes from the opening kick. The lead doubled when Olin slotted home the spot kick in the 31st minute.
Poulin completed his brace 10 minutes after the intermission, as Olin sent him in alone on Ellsworth goalkeeper Craig Burnett (7 saves) with a pass that sliced through the Eagle back line.
Ellsworth’s Owen Frank, left, tries to defend Winslow’s Landen Gillis during the first half of a Class B North semifinal game Saturday at Colby College in Waterville. Michael G. Seamans/Morning Sentinel
It was just that kind of day for Winslow, which dominated the midfield to keep pressure off its own back four. With Ethan Loubier and Olin doubling up down the center of the park, there was no place for Ellsworth to find any space.
“We just want to play fast,” Poulin said. “That’s what we like to do. A lot of teams are used to other teams playing wide. But when we see space in the middle, we just attack it. It makes a lot of opportunities for a lot of people.”
Teams make a habit of winning possession in the midfield, working the ball out wide and then trying to dissect defenses with crosses into the 18-yard box.
Winslow, by contrast, didn’t bother much with the wide spaces. Instead the Black Raiders simply let Olin go to work by carving up the Eagles with one well-weighted ball after another onto the feet of his attackers up top.
Winslow’s Andrew Poulin, center, tries to escape Ellsworth defender Darren Easler, right, during the first half of a Class B North semifinal game at Colby College in Waterville. Michael G. Seamans/Morning Sentinel
Poulin, Landen Gillis and Sam Schmitt all benefited with excellent chances to convert goals.
All of that possession, and the chances it generated, had Winslow on the front foot from the outset. Ellsworth (11-5-1) managed just two shots on target the entire evening, one in each half. Neither of them threatened Raider keeper Jason Reynolds (2 saves).
Three playoff games, three convincing shutouts.
“We can’t expect that to last the whole time,” Olin said, “but right now it’s helping our confidence.”
Comments are not available on this story.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
