Northport — For the Medomak Middle School boys and Camden-Rockport Middle School girls soccer squads, it was fine to finish number two during the regular season because, when all was said and done, the Riverhawks and Schooners were number one overall.

MMS and CRMS, both of whom finished second in the North Division during the regular season, emerged as Busline League postseason champions Saturday, Oct. 20, with dominating performances against the South Division representatives on the rain-soaked, fog-engulfed Point Lookout field.

Fittingly, during the boys and girls championship games, as fog made visibility on the field for players and fans difficult, a distant fog horn in Penobscot Bay periodically sounded.

In fact, the recent heavy rain made it impossible for Saturday's first game — the coed soccer championship — to be completed. No. 1 Appleton (10-0) and No. 3 Lincolnville (8-2) began their championship game but the water on the field made it difficult to move the ball, thus that game was postponed until Monday, Oct. 22 at the same site. The two teams, ultimately, were crowned co-champions after a 2-2 tie.

In Saturday's boys game, North Division titlist MMS (12-2-1) cruised to a 6-0 win over South Division champion Woolwich (8-3), while in the girls contest, North Division titlist CRMS (13-1-1) bested South Division champion Great Salt Bay of Damariscotta (11-2) 3-0.

During the regular season, MMS, CRMS and Woolwich were the second-seeded teams in their respective divisions, while GSB was ranked first in the South.

Boys championship

A dominating performance by MMS put its opponent in a fog, literally, as the offensive-minded Riverhawks proved too much to handle.

MMS, guided by first-year coach Tenley Libby, include Nick Grover, Cameron Martin, Jon Rolerson, Isaac Eutsler, Owen Jameson, Kyle Donlin, Colby Wiley, Chris Peabody, Adam Eutsler, Wyatt Post, Laken Harrington, Zidane McMurrin, Maty Moore, Taylor McLain, Franny Johnson, Patrick White, Cameron Leach, Jon Allard, Gale Gee, Cameron Robinson, Jonathan Luce, Brent Stewart, Casey Libby, Jensen Willis and Tyler Field.

Woolwich, coached by Chris Ouellette, includes Zander Bartone, Evan Parsons, Lucas Brown, Logan Riley, Wallace Jackson, Jeremy Thiboutot, Declan Hall, Dakota Freeman, Tucker Banger, Brian Waterbury, Ethan Brown, Chipper Simpson, Nic Hennin, James LaCavera, Paul Seaman, Angus Brown, Bobby Madden, Jarred Patterson, Kaleb Jackson and Alex Namer.

In Saturday's championship game, McMurrin and Moore both tallied two goals, while Johnson and Post added single scores. Robinson played the entire 60-minute game in net for the Riverhawks.

"I came into a great situation with a a lot of eighth-graders," said coach Libby. "They are very talented kids that just needed a little direction and a little support and they did a great job. Moved the ball around well."

Libby said the key to the Riverhawks' championship run was getting past rival Camden-Rockport, the number one team in the North. The Schooners beat the Riverhawks twice during the regular season and the two evenly-matched foes also tied in one game.

Libby said sweeper Allard "really controlled the back all season. He started off as an offensive-minded person and I moved him back there and he really fit into that role great. I want to thank my defense. They were strong all year."

Ouellette said as a first time coach at Woolwich, it was an exciting season. "The championship game against Medomak was a great experience for the team. We came out strong in the first 15 minutes of the game. We usually have a strong left side … but Medomak did a great job … Medomak's defense did a fantastic job of supporting each other to prevent us from crossing the ball.

The coach said Bartone, the team's defensive center midfield, who usually helps the offense break through, had to shy back because of Medomak's strong offense. "The first goal happened and you could see the impact it had on the team," Ouellette said, referring to his team having to get accustomed to the fast-pace surface that also allowed the ball to bounce higher than normal. "After a couple of bad breaks and bounces that went over our defenders the half ended at 3-0."

"I tried focusing the team on connecting passes, being aggressive and beating Medomak to the ball," Ouellette said. "As the game went on the older boys started to step it up and I was very pleased with how the younger boys jumped into the game following the older players' example.

"Even though the [final] score was high, several of the goals were bad breaks that Lucas [Brown] just couldn't quite get a hold of or skipped away. He is our rock back at goal keeper and really gives his all every game. Overall the season was fantastic and everyone on the team showed great commitment and sportsmanship. I was very proud of them."

Click for photos from this game.

Girls championship

Camden-Rockport, coached by Alex Arau, includes Emily Blackwell, Emily Bowen, Emma Brownawell, Mallory Caron, Lara Cazemajou, Abigail Chamberlin, Erin Dowd, Isabelle Gutheinz, Lucy Hayward, Julia Holt, Virginia Laurita, Lalita MacDonnell, Molly Mann, Katelyn McKenna, Charlotte Messer, Rebekah Schade, Ellie Spizzuoco, Emma Vannorsdall, Becca Westbrook, Maddie Wickenden, Zoe Zwecker and Jessica Macchi.

GSB includes Brianna Genthner, Jennifer Arter, Erin Kelly, Sophie Schumacher, Christine Hilton, Abby Nelson, Brie Wajer, Polina Scimone, Caroline Fowler, Sarah Begin, Riley Golding, Kaitlyn Feltis, Elli Hunt, Samantha Ober, Helen Newell, Sara Peavey, Evangeline Margaritas, Kate Peters, Alison York, Madeline York, Sydnee Lily and Sequoia Patton. The name of the coach was unavailable.

In the championship game, the Schooners grabbed the early momentum — and lead — and never relinquished it.

A hand ball in the early going of the game gave CRMS a penalty shot and Messer served the ball hard on the ground and nudged the left post for the goal, on a perfect shot that could not be touched by the keeper.

CRMS took control of the match and shot long and often on GSB goalie Hilton, who was outstanding in the box and continually made high-quality saves. At the 14-minute mark Zwecker received the ball in the right side of the box and passed to Gutheinz, who buried the ball in the left corner of the net.

Shortly thereafter, GSB made a run into the CRMS box, but keeper Holt managed to put one hand on the ball and deflected it out of the box, which thwarted a strong opportunity for a goal. The half ended with CRMS leading 2-0.

The second half started in a similar fashion with the CRMS midfield dominating play, and continuing to barrage Hilton with long, hard shots from many angles. Hilton was up to the challenge and she was aided by a gritty defense that challenged every ball.

GSB broke into the offense end and sent a hard shot from the left into the new CRMS keeper Vannorsdoll, who slapped the ball down and then raced to cover it just before the GSB forward could strike it. A short while later GSB made another entry to the front of the CRMS goal, but Macchi stepped in front of the forward and cleared the ball to end the threat.

Messer delivered a high corner kick to the six-yard line, which the keeper attempted to punch out. However, it defected off a GSB defender and went into the goal for the Schooners' third and final goal of the match.

Hilton faced 31 shots and made 21 saves, including many of the spectacular variety. CRMS keepers Holt and Vannorsdall faced eight shots and made six saves.

CRMS again was led offensively by Messer, who pounced on every open ball, played tenacious defense and made several excellent passes to teammates in the box, said coach Arau. Messer finished with her 33rd and 34th goals of the year.

Click for photos from this game.

Courier Publications sports staff can be reached by phone at 207-594-4401 or by email at sports@courierpublicationsllc.com.