By David Harry
Staff Writer

This year, the ideal measurement for the Scarborough Red Storm boys soccer team is 36-2-8.
By beating Brunswick High School 2-1 last Saturday, the team won its 36th consecutive game over two years while wrapping up its second straight Class A state championship with a team led by eight seniors.
The Red Storm, driven by goals from seniors Trevor Hoxsie and Chase Beech, never trailed in the game, which was played in front of their hometown fans at Scarborough High School.
Goalie Tennessee Peters saved 10 shots and shook off a goal scored after he was drawn from the net to defend a ball near the edge of the penalty area. He said the championship was sweeter this year after watching from the bench last year.
“At first, I was a little scared,” he said about keeping the winning and championship streaks alive. “But we found out how well we play together.”
Peters moved into the lineup to help replace 13 seniors who graduated from last year’s team. Coach Mark Diaz said the overall team strategy this year emphasized defense a little more, but he was confident in the team’s continuity because the departing seniors left a strong work ethic behind them.
It looked as through Brunswick scored first when Peters was beaten to his right on a shot by Dragon’s senior Justin Rosner with 13 minutes and 24 seconds played in the first half, but the goal was not allowed because of an offside call.
About seven minutes later, Hoxsie broke free and was driving towards the Brunswick goal when he was taken down by a Dragon’s defender. Awarded a free kick, Hoxsie curled the ball around the line of defenders and past senior goalie Peter Morrell with 20:29 in the half.
“I was thinking, ‘I have been practicing curling the ball around the wall,’” Hoxsie said about setting up for the kick.
Hoxsie celebrated by rushing toward the student section of the Scarborough stands. He stopped near the sideline, arms extended, to take in the cheers.
Brunswick, which finished the season at 15-2-1, trailed 1-0 at the half and tested Peters early in the second half.
But Diaz said he told his team not to sit on its lead, and junior fullback Brett Leighton led a charge into the Brunswick zone before passing over the center to Beech. Beech then beat Morrell to his right 11:53 into the second half.
Having been beaten twice on Red Storm scores, Morrell was replaced in goal by senior Zach McMillan.
Morrell stayed in the game and put the Dragons on the scoreboard when his header in the front and center of the penalty area eluded Peters and bounced in to the Scarborough goal 19:30 into the second half.
“It was an honest mistake. He flicked it right over me,” Peters said.
As senior goalie Zach McMillan kept Scarborough scoreless during his time in front of the net, the Dragons tried to show their teeth. Peters and the defensive corps ahead of him answered the challenges as the minutes slipped away.
“We have a lot of young talent and they are improving,” Peters said.
Hoxsie said he had not expected an undefeated season when the season started.
“But we put down the hard teams,” he said, citing regular season wins over Gorham and Kennebunk before the overtime win against Windham that won the Western Class A title.
That game helped focus the team for the game against Brunswick, Diaz said.
“We knew it would be a tough game,” he said.
Diaz said he told the group of seniors that repeating as champions had its own rewards.
“It will feel different if we can do it when you are a senior,” Diaz said he told them.
In the glow of the win on a sunny brisk day, Diaz said he knew this team, which has won its third state championship in five seasons, is a great one. He was not yet prepared to say where it ranks with other champions, though.
“I’m still digesting this,” Diaz said.

Staff writer David Harry can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 219