One goal better. One game better. That’s the modest approach the Rangeley girls’ soccer team has taken all season.

The Lakers hope that little bit of improvement can produce big results Wednesday. 

The second-seeded Lakers (10-3) have played top-ranked Richmond (14-1) tough this season and gotten better with each outing. After losses of 5-0 and 2-0 this fall, the Lakers enter the Class D South regional final with some confidence.

“Every time we played them the last couple of years, the last game has been our best,” Rangeley girls’ coach Chip Smith said. “We change things around. The second game has been a little better and then that third game we’ve brought our A-game. I think we have tons of confidence.”

That was the case last year. The Lakers met the Bobcats in the semifinals and gave Richmond a pretty good scare. The Bobcats survived, but Rangeley takes that memory with them for Wednesday.

“Last year, we went in to the semifinals and gave them a run for their money,” Smith said. “That gives us high hopes going into this game. I don’t think it’s a surprise that we’re here, even thought we start six underclassman. It goes to show how much my three seniors have pulled this group together.”

The Lakers are a relatively young squad. Blayke Morin, Maddison Egan and Michaela Shorey are the only seniors. Still, Rangeley has some regional final experience. The basketball team won the Western D title last winter and has been a regular in the regional championship game. The softball team reached the regional final a few years ago and nearly did again last year.

Many of the older girls have experienced big games and been part of making some noise in their small town.

““I definitely thought we’d get this far,” said Smith, who said Rangeley soccer hasn’t been this far since 2009. “We’re very excited. The girls’ programs in Rangeley the last few years have been on the way up. Softball, we were one run away from getting to the regional final. Last year and this year, our success in soccer has been a positive. There’s been a lot of people that have paved the way for these girls. The basketball program has been strong. They’ve got a lot of support up here.”

Richmond poses a mighty foe for the Lakers. The Bobcats outscored opponents 87-6 in the regular season and had 10 shutouts. Richmond had five players named to the all-region team including senior midfielder Autumn Acord and forward Kelsea Anair and juniors defender Cassidy Harriman and midfielders Camryn Hurley and Meranda Martin.

Rangeley’s defense has been tough. The Lakers have allowed only 14 goals, seven of them were by Richmond.

The winner of Wednesday’s game advances to Saturday’s state championship at the Presque Isle Middle School.

Class C South

Fourth-seeded Monmouth (12-2-2) hosts sixth-ranked Waynflete (13-4). The Flyers have won two of the last three Class C state championships. Waynflete beat the defending state champs from Sacopee Valley 7-0 and 2-0 during the regular season. Monmouth beat the Hawks Friday night 1-0 with a tremendous defensive effort, despite having just 12 players.

Led by all-regional team players Haley Fletcher and Sammy Grandahl, Monmouth scored 57 goals during the season. Monmouth’s defense and allowed just 11, with eight shutouts. The Flyers only allowed 15 goals and posted six shutouts. Waynflete reached the regional final by beating the two top MVC teams handily, St. Dom’s and Madison.

The winner advances to Saturday’s state championships in Presque Isle.

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