PORTLAND — There are 37 names listed on the Maranacook boys’ soccer team’s roster.

While most programs have JV and freshman teams, the Black Bears elect to have one giant varsity roster. Regardless of their contributions on the team, they all share the common goal of capturing a state title.

On Saturday, Maranacook did just that, defeating Orono, 2-0, to win the Class C state title at Deering High School. It’s the Black Bears’ second straight state title, and just like last year, Maranacook’s full roster was there to celebrate at the final horn.

“This is one team,” Maranacook coach Don Beckwith said. “That’s how the program’s been run from the very beginning. Everybody sits in on the game every night. This is nothing new for us. Everybody is as important as the next guy. The 35th guy is just as important as the first guy. That’s just the way we run the program.”

Matt DuBois scored the deciding goal in the 29th minute on a redirect. Kent Mohlar possessed the ball up the field on the near side and found DuBois open in the middle. DuBois simply tapped the ball and redirected into the left corner of the net past Orono goalkeeper Alik Espling.

“I just cut across the middle and saw that Kent had the ball and I saw there was on open space,” DuBois said. “I looked up and Kent and I made eye contact and he passed me the ball and I finished.”

The Red Riots had their best opportunity to tie the game in the final minutes of the second half. Orono’s Maxime Neitschke broke away from Maranacook’s back line and fired a shot on net that goalkeeper Justin Freeman stopped, making a diving stop to his right.

“I think people underestimate him because he’s small,” Beckwith said. “He’s got the skills of any goalie in the state, he really does, and he has the heart.”

The Black Bears clinched their second consecutive state title in the 61st minute when Max McQuillen knocked in a loose ball in front of the net. The goal was originally ruled offside before officials overturned the call. Espling was unable to handle a ball serviced into the box and McQuillen was right there to knock it in.

The Red Riots struggled to match Maranacook’s intensity as the Black Bears won several 50-50 balls and were able to knock Orono off the ball when it got close to the box. Maranacook’s physicality was just one aspect that impressed Orono coach Waldo Caballero.

“They worked the field very well,” Caballero said. “They made passes into the empty spaces. They anticipated to the ball and they communicated with the ball together very well. The thing we didn’t have was the physical aspect. It was a clear difference between the two teams. One was very physical, not very, but enough to make the difference.”

The Red Riots won the first corner kick of the game, but Maranacook had the final eight, including all four in the second half.

Even though the Black Bears have been there before, it’s still just as sweet for DuBois and the rest of the team.

“It’s amazing,” DuBois said. “I can’t rely describe it. It’s a championship. It’s what we’ve wanted all year and put so much effort toward. To finally get it is amazing.”

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