UMFK Men’s Soccer Storms Back From Two-Goal Deficit to Defeat UMaine Presque Isle, 4–2
The University of Maine at Fort Kent men’s soccer team delivered a dominant second-half response Tuesday afternoon, erasing a two-goal halftime deficit and scoring four unanswered goals to defeat rival University of Maine at Presque Isle, 4–2, at Park Family Field.
The victory moved UMFK to 3-2-1 on the season and showcased the Bengals’ ability to respond under pressure after UMPI carried a 2–0 advantage into halftime.
Presque Isle struck first in the 17th minute when Joel Cormier found the back of the net off an assist from Isaac Doore. Doore doubled the Owls’ advantage in the 41st minute, sending UMFK into the break facing a two-goal deficit.
The second half, however, belonged entirely to the Bengals.
UMFK immediately increased its attacking pressure coming out of halftime and broke through in the 52nd minute when Rohane Brown scored his sixth goal of the season off an assist from Michael German, cutting the deficit to 2–1.
Less than three minutes later, Courtney Francis struck for his first goal of the season, leveling the match at 2–2 in the 55th minute and completely shifting the momentum in UMFK’s direction.
The Bengals continued to dictate play throughout the second half before delivering the decisive blow in the closing minutes.
With the match still tied in the 86th minute, German finished a feed from Brown to give UMFK its first lead of the afternoon, 3–2. Just 55 seconds later, German struck again, putting the match away with his second goal of the game and completing a remarkable four-goal second-half surge.
German was at the center of the Bengals’ comeback, finishing with two goals and one assist for five points while placing all three of his shots on goal. Brown added one goal and one assist, while Francis supplied the equalizer.
UMFK’s second-half response was reflected throughout the final statistics.
The Bengals outshot Presque Isle 15–4 overall, including a commanding 10–3 advantage in shots on goal. UMFK generated 10 shots in the second half alone after producing five in the opening 45 minutes and also earned seven corner kicks compared with two for the Owls.
Christopher McKenzie provided additional pressure off the bench with four shots, including two on goal, while Solal Chambon registered two shots on target. Javel Clarke also placed his lone attempt on frame.
Goalkeeper Boliver Owusu played all 90 minutes for the Bengals, recording the victory while allowing two first-half goals and helping anchor a UMFK defense that limited Presque Isle to just one shot over the entire second half.
The comeback was especially impressive considering the Bengals entered halftime down two goals before controlling virtually every phase of the second half. UMFK not only erased the deficit but turned the match completely around, scoring twice within the opening 10 minutes of the second period and twice more in a 55-second span late in the contest.
The 4–2 result gives the Bengals another rivalry victory over their northern Maine opponent and provides UMFK with significant momentum as the season continues.
UMFK Scoring
- 51:41 — Rohane Brown, assisted by Michael German
- 54:15 — Courtney Francis
- 85:10 — Michael German, assisted by Rohane Brown
- 86:05 — Michael German
By the Numbers
UMFK 4, UMPI 2
UMFK held advantages of 15–4 in total shots, 10–3 in shots on goal and 7–2 in corner kicks. The Bengals outscored the Owls 4–0 after halftime. Michael German led all UMFK players with five points on two goals and one assist, while Rohane Brown contributed three points with one goal and one assist.