LINCOLNVILLE — Facing an Appleton eleven that just refused to lie down and die, the Lincolnville middle school soccer team managed to prevail Wednesday, Sept. 25, at Lincolnville.

The hustling Appleton certainly upset the Lynx’s usual calm, unruffled style of play, and although they never trailed, Lincolnville did not finally shake the Wildcats off until late in the second half as the Lynx won 5-2. 

They did get off to a fine start, however, racking up the first score at 3:36 when winger Jaden Johnson drove the right sideline before sending a fine cross into striker Owen McManus who tipped it on to winger Mikayla Talbot. Talbot finished with a drive across the goal to the far post.

Appleton came right back taking advantage of a Lincolnville defensive lapse with 10:52 gone to beat keeper Avery Luft.

The Lynx managed to get back on top at 27:46 when McManus controlled the ball in the box just right of center and sent a quick pass over to midfielder Nathn Oxley who tipped it out to a wide open Talbot who once again sent a high shot to the far side of the nets.

It was Appleton that took early advantage in the second half after only a minute of play with an excellent cross from the left that made it all the way to their weak side winger who was able to send it into the open back end of the Lincolnville goal.

The Lynx surged ahead to stay at 40:46 when a long kick was sent up between Talbot and McManus. Talbot took a shot that bounced off the charging keeper but fortuitously fell right in front of McManus who alertly punched it in.

That was followed just over five minutes later when the offense combined for a very pretty passing combination started by a pass from center field and went through two players to end up with Johnson. She sent it on to Talbot open once again who beat the keeper to the near post.

The final score came from midfielder Mason Clark who took a pass from stopper Sage Burgess and immediately sent it long and high towards the goal to nestle just inside the near post.

It was definitely a fine effort on the part of the Wildcats and took every ounce of skill for the Lynx to finally prevail.

Lincolnville will be continuing its campaign Friday, Sept. 27 against Islesboro.

Ben Edes is the coach of the Lincolnville soccer team. 

Reach the sports department at: sports@penbaypilot.com.