LEWISTON — After having shots be too low, high or wide, the Lewiston boys’ soccer team finally got one that was just right Tuesday night.

Shobow Saban’s corner kick curled into the net with 8:02 left in the game to lift the Blue Devils to a hard-fought 1-0 win over Mt. Ararat.

It was the picture-perfect shot, but one that was purely accidental, getting a little help from the breeze.

“Unbelievable,” said Saban. “I can’t even imagine what happened. I just crossed it, and it went in. I just tried to put it right in there to my teammates. I can’t believe it. I can’t believe that it went right into the net.”

The third straight win vaulted Lewiston (4-2) up to third in Eastern A while the Eagles (2-2-2) dropped to 10th.

“That’s a good team,” said Lewiston coach Mike McGraw. “They’re going to win; their share of games. We’re going to have to win the one’s we’re supposed to win, but the league is so balanced.”

Lewiston dominated much of the second half, outshooting Mt. Ararat 15-1, but the Blue Devils couldn’t finish off the numerous opportunities.

“Mt. Ararat is not an easy team,” said Saban, a senior forward. “They played well. Defensively, they had us. They were all around. So it was hard for us, but we kept pressure on them.”

Eagles keeper Gabe Pelletier had an outstanding game with 12 saves. He even got a little help when midfielder Ben Houde headed  a shot away from an open net. It was the corner kick that came moments later that led to the game-winner.

“At first my idea was to put it on net but  it’s kind of a little bit cheap,” said Saban. “So I decided to chip it to my teammates. I didn’t know I was going to score, but I knew I could chip it right to the goal so my teammates could get it.”

From the left corner, he curled the shot nicely and got a little push from the breeze that helped steer it inside the right post.

“Their keeper did a phenomenal job,” said McGraw. “Their defenders did a great job. Their keepers made a couple great saves. They had one really good chance and Scotty (Ouellette) made the save. So keepers were big today.”

Mt. Ararat only had one shot on net in the second half, and it came with two minutes remaining, but Ouellette was there for the stop.

“We played well in the first half but didn’t play well in the second half,” said Mt. Ararat coach Rick Renaud. “We didn’t match their intensity.”

Both teams had quality bids in the first half. The Eagles got a shot by Houde that was saved by Ouellette and later had another shot from the left side that Ouellette dove for.

“We had chances in the first half, but you have to put those chances away,” said Renaud.

Lewiston had a shot by Ali Hersi in front and then had a bid by Yusuf Yama off a corner go wide. Benji Saban had a pair of shots that were stopped.

“We worked hard at it,” said McGraw. “We had some great chances, but you’ve got to be able to score. I’m glad we got the goal, but I’d like them to score a little bit sooner. Otherwise, I’ll have an ulcer.”

After having a 7-4 edge in shots in the first half, the Blue Devils controlled play in the second.  Eric Hall, Ryan Lemelin, Benji Saban, Tyler Hartman and Shobow Saban all put shots on net, but Pelletier was there to keep the game scoreless.

“They’ve got to not press and try to be more accurate than trying to be more powerful,” said McGraw. “It will find its way, I hope. As long as we stay composed defensively and help each other out back there.”

kmills@sunjournal.com

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