Wiscasset’s boys summer soccer team has reached the midpoint of its short season. The 16 or so players will make up Wiscasset Middle High School’s varsity team in September.

The team took to the field Thursday evening, July 12 for its third game, hosting Mt. Blue who won the 80-minute contest 3-0 with a Wiscasset player helping round out their team.

The visitors had only eight players. Wiscasset’s Matt Chapman displayed some good sportsmanship by volunteering to play for the visitors who filled in their lineup with their coaches. Chapman played a really good game for Mt. Blue in the backfield.

Wiscasset’s two previous games ended a 5-3 loss to Gardiner and a 1-0 win over Waterville with Chapman scoring the goal.

Five to six players from Boothbay Region High School are playing on the Wiscasset team this summer. They may join the Wolverines' soccer program this fall and would be a welcome addition to the program. The final decision rests with the Wiscasset and Boothbay school boards.

At the start of the game veteran referee Mike Stailing said the SPA has made two changes to the soccer rules for the upcoming season. As he explained it, on the kickoff, the player on the offensive team is now allowed to be on the defensive side of the playing field which should prove interesting.

Another change, he said, is the home team is now required to wear its dark jerseys, the opposite of what’s required now.

Wiscasset’s summer team has some familiar faces. The Gabriel brothers are back, Caleb as goalkeeper and Josh in the midfield. Caleb recorded six saves in the Mt. Blue game, two in the third 20-minute period. Josh made some nice passes setting up several scoring opportunities.

Other familiar faces included Josh Jones, Matt Smith, Chris Loyola, Matt Eckert and Brian Foye.

Mt. Blue’s first goal came at 15:39 of the first quarter. Sam McFarlan crossed a pass to Jackson Joyce who scored.

With two minutes left until the half, the visitors were whistled for an infraction in the backfield resulting in a direct kick just outside the penalty area. Boothbay’s Simon Spear had a nice shot sending the ball through the wall set by the Mt. Blue players but the goalie was there for the stop.

Mt. Blue’s second goal, unassisted, came from Eli Yeaton with 9:30 left in the game. In the final minutes, Mick Gurney rang a shot off the cross bar before the visitors scored again.

Wiscasset’s Gwen Webber and Boothbay’s Reagan Cola got in some playing time.

Filling in for Wolverine Varsity Coach Chris Cossette was assistant coach Devin Grover. “We’re improving. Our biggest challenge is making good consistent passes. That will come once the guys get use to playing together as a team.”

Wolverine fans will have at least one more opportunity to see Wiscasset’s summer soccer team when they host Monmouth on Thursday, July 19. The opening kickoff is set for 6 p.m. on the lower WMHS soccer field.