READFIELD — When Maranacook stormed to its first state soccer title last year, its biggest fan lived more than 1,500 miles away.
“I kept in touch, that’s for sure,” Matt DuBois said. “I talked to Coach (Don Beckwith).”
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After a year away living with family in Minnesota, the senior who Beckwith considers the prototype of a Maranacook soccer player is back with the Black Bears and playing a prominent role in their bid for back-to-back Class C championships, which concludes at 3 p.m. Saturday at Deering High School.
DuBois started the season as a sweeper, adding speed an intensity to a talented back line. Towards the end of the regular season, Beckwith moved DuBois to striker to give Kodey Solmitz and Kent Mohlar offensive support.
“The reason we put him up front is Hayden Elwell’s a great defender, so we didn’t lose anything there, and Matty’s just a great offensive player,” Beckwith said. “He brings more intensity to that spot. I thought we needed an option B or C, and he’s a pretty damned good option B and C.”
DuBois admitted he was a little unsure about the change at first, even though he had plenty of experience playing up front.
“It was kind of iffy. I wasn’t really sure what to think about it that far into the season,” DuBois said. “I played striker my freshman and sophomore year, so I feel really comfortable playing striker. After a couple of games, I kind of got back into it.”
The Black Bears are glad he did. DuBois has five goals in three playoff games, including the only score with five minutes left in Wednesday’s regional final against Hall-Dale.
Now, DuBois is relishing his new role. He’s also grateful the Black Bears’ are on the same type of run he had to follow from afar last year.
“I’ve always wanted to be that kid that scored that goal, who played in that big playoff game that everyone was at. So that was pretty sweet. That just fuels me, honestly,” DuBois said. “Knowing that (Saturday) is actually the last game is going to fuel me even more.”
Blessed with speed and a powerful leg — two actually — DuBois can score from anywhere in his offensive third.
Given that he’s constantly in motion on the soccer pitch, opponents are liable to find that out the hard way if they take a moment to catch their breath.
“You could play this kid anywhere. He knows only one thing — wide open, all he’s got,” Beckwith said.
DuBois’ all-out style meshed well with Maranacook’s intense back line. He had been a sweeper last year in Minnesota, but getting used to his new position wasn’t as difficult as being away from the teammates he had grown up with and the coach he admired.
“I really missed the team when I left for that year,” DuBois said. “(Beckwith) is my favorite coach. It’s obviously nice to be coached by him again. It’s not that easy to find someone like him anywhere.”
Beckwith holds DuBois in high regard, too.
“I tell these guys,” Beckwith said, “if you really want to play the game and you want to get on the field for me, watch him. He should be prototypical of Maranacook soccer.”
Randy Whitehouse — 621-5638
rwhitehouse@mainetoday.com
Twitter: @RAWmaterial33
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