LINCOLNVILLE — Under a clear blue sky, traditional league rivals Hope and Lincolnville met at the Lincolnville field Friday, Sept. 20, and staged a typically tense battle with the Lynx emerging the ultimate winners by a score of 4-2.

The game was a classic back and forth contest but particularly so during the first half.

For the first time this season, a Lincolnville opponent scored the first goal with 8:39 gone when the Lynx defense was called for a charge in the box.

The resulting penalty kick was calmly fired away leaving Lincolnville goalkeeper Avery Luft no chance for a save.

The lead did not last long as the Lynx surged back to temporarily take control of the game.

At 11:13, a clear out of the box went to midfielding stalwart Mason Clark who popped the bounce up and over the Hope defense allowing striker Owen McManus to control the ball with a chest push and then drive in alone on the net. The keeper charged but McManus coolly slide the ball past his right to nestle it in the net.

It only took a minute-and-a-half for keeper Luft to launch the next scoring effort by booming a soaring kick that flew past the centerfield line and bounced over the Hawk’s defense.

The ever-alert McManus again gained control of the ball and flew in towards the keeper who decided to tough it out on the goal line.

Once again McManus fired home to his right to give the Lynx the lead.

McManus assumed the assist role at 19:33 when he adroitly moved the ball across to Clark who fired home for an insurance goal.

Hope then staged a resurgence exerting significant pressure on the Lynx defense and forcing them to scramble allowing the Hawks to take advantage of a defensive lapse up the middle for their second tally.

After adjusting play during half time, the Lynx defense solidified and despite the numerous Hawk offensive thrusts, they were able to hold them scoreless.

Meanwhile, a long ball was sent up to winger Jaden Johnson at 32:30. Johnson drove the line and sent the ball into Clark in the middle near the top of the box. Clark dribbled to his left looking for an open shooting lane, reversed and moved back to the right to find the perfect spot before cannoning the ball across the box to the far post for the last score.

The remaining 17 odd minutes of the game saw both sides driving and penetrating, but the scoring was done for the day.

Lincolnville’s offensive unit turned in an excellent performance against a strong defense.

Johnson, McManus, Clark, and winger Mikayla Talbot — supported by wing midfielders Nathan Oxley and Mickey Nowell — moved the ball well all day and completed multiple excellent combinations to penetrate the Hawks’ defensive unit.

Lincolnville’s maturing defense — including sweeper Liam Day-Lynch, stopper Sage Burgess, wing defenders Chloe Day-Lynch and Canyon Palis, backed up by keeper Luft — showed their growing mastery of the game especially during the shut out second half.

Lincolnville continues its season Monday, Sept. 23 at the Vinalhaven pitch.

Ben Edes is the Lincolnville soccer coach. 

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