Auburn, ME – The Central Maine men's soccer team came from behind for 4-2 win over Maine Maritime Academy in exhibition play to start the 2024 season. Junior Ivan Domingues tallied two goals, including the game-winner, as the Mustangs scored four times in the final half hour to claim the victory.
"I think that just goes to show that this team hates to lose," said first-year head coach Dalton Wing. "They're going to do anything it takes to win. That just comes from their love for the game."
Both teams agreed to break the game down into three 30-minute periods of play, to help both coaches with managing substitutions in this early season contest. In total, 18 players made appearances for the Mustangs while 23 got into the game for the Mariners.
Neither team found the back of the net in the first half hour of play, with both squads getting a feel for things in their first action against a side in a different jersey.
The subs came in droves during the second period of play, with Maine Maritime slowly gaining momentum. Ronnie Morgan capitalized on that for the visitors with a through pass in behind for Gabriel Toledo to run onto. CMCC goalkeeper Cody Cleaveland came out to challenge but was called for the foul. Toledo calmly slotted home the resulting penalty kick to make it 1-0 Mariners in the 41st minute.
Just before the second half hour stretch came to an end, MMA found itself in another good scoring position with a free kick on the edge of the box. Sophomore Aiden Burr delivered a beautiful free kick, curling a low shot around the wall and just beyond the reach of substitute goalkeeper Guelor Kazadi to make it 2-0.
The Mustangs needed a spark in the final 30 minutes of play, and got it almost immediately from Domingues. The Lewiston High School product latched onto a pass from brother Igor Domingues before lacing a shot into the top corner beyond the reach of goalkeeper Haven Smith. The tally came less than a minute after the restart to cut the deficit to 2-1.
Jeremiah Gomez would quickly tie it at 2-2 a couple minutes later thanks to a little bit of luck. The sophomore from Thornton Academy saw his long-distance effort deflect off a defender on its way into the net, giving the goalkeeper no chance.
But Central Maine saved the last bit of drama for the final few minutes.
First, Mitch Cameron split the defense with a teasing pass towards the penalty area. Ivan Domingues was able to get to it first and held off the challenge from Tristan Reinhold before poking a shot past the legs of Smith. Domingues' second of the game in the 85th minute made it 3-2.
Then came the speed from David Nzuzi two minutes later to add an insurance goal for the Mustangs. The Brunswick High School graduate raced into a one-on-one chance in the box, rounded Smith, and knocked the ball home before delivering a front flip celebration.
"Coming from behind for the win is always a good feeling," said captain Alfie Bashford. "The boys have shown great intensity, great desire, great tenacity."
The men's soccer team finishes off their back-to-back homestand to begin the season, hosting the University of New England Nor'easters on Thursday, August 22nd at 6 pm.
