LINCOLNVILLE — It was another good day for the Lincolnville Lynx middle school soccer team on their own pitch as they hosted the scrappy South Bristol Mariners and came out on top by a score of 5-1.

As has happened in every game so far this year, the Lynx jumped off to an early start when midfielder Mason Clark sent a bouncer out to winger Jaden Johnson on the right. Johnson literally popped the ball up and over a Mariner defender, swung around her and sent a shot arching over the keeper’s outstretched hands to land just inside the far post for the tally at the 2:24 mark.

The next to tickle the nets was striker Owen McManus with 5:03 gone. McManus started it off by finding open space in the center of the South Bristol box and sending in a shot that caromed off the keeper to Johnson. Johnson immediately sent an angling shot back in, and although the keeper tipped the ball, McManus was in the perfect spot to nail the ball in.

It took another 54 seconds before Clark hammered a nice corner kick into the center of the box in front of the nets where McManus was ready to angle the shot home.

Finally, at 8:33, a short header clear by the Mariners went to midfielder Nathan Oxley who headed the ball right back and over the keeper for the last score of the quarter.

One thing you can say for the Mariners, they do not give up.

It was a much more evenly played second half with both sides staging a number of surges into the other team’s defensive end.

South Bristol got on the boards first when their attempt was deflected in by the Lincolnville defense for an own goal at 36:52.

The Lynx got it back with 48:20 gone when winger Maren Johnson sent a pass into winger Thomas Pickford who controlled the ball, took a quick dribble to set up his shot, and cleanly beat the keeper to end the scoring.

It was a fine effort by both teams as they played their hearts out until the final whistle.

Ben Edes is the coach of the Lincolnville soccer team. 

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