Camden Hills caps off the wild postseason ride with its first Class A crown

BATH — It had defeated soccer heavyweight and defending national champion Lewiston three times en route to the Class A North boys soccer title.

So Camden Hills was determined to get the job done and win the school’s first Class A title. No matter how long it took.

Luke Tobias finally put an end to a tense and scoreless championship match at stormy McMann Field when he buried the decisive goal in the first round of penalty kicks, giving Camden Hills a 1-0 (5-4) championship victory over Scarborough.

Tobias, a junior, knew he could finish the game – just as he had done on penalty kicks in the regional final against Lewiston. Teammates Connor Middleton, Mac Pierce, Colby Bennett and Boston Enggass had made the first four kicks, while Scarborough’s second shooter, Denver Bachman, had missed wide right against Camden keeper Brian Leonard.

“I knew I would make it. I was confident,” said Tobias. “I would have done it the last game against Lewiston to get us here. It definitely helped and it also helped that all my teammates had made theirs. I had less pressure on me. I could miss and we wouldn’t lose.”



Scarborough (15-2-1) was trying to win its first title since 2013 after losing in the finals in 2015 and 2022.

Camden Hills (16-1-1) had never played in a Class A final. It had suffered three consecutive one-goal defeats in the 2011-13 B Championship match, early in coach Ryan Hurley’s 15-year career. Camden-Rockport won the Class B title in 1991.

“I kind of felt like the Buffalo Bills, so I was really happy we got one this time,” Hurley said. ‘We never succeeded in Class A. It’s a lot more difficult in A, I’ll tell you that.

“I’ve gotten so many text messages from former players saying, ‘I have to believe that if we can beat Lewiston three times in one season, we will carry this game and win it.’

Hurley said his team was tired after beating Edward Little in overtime in the A North semifinals and gave his best effort against Lewiston on Tuesday. This was evident in the latter part of the first half when Scarborough applied pressure. Bachman shot over the crossbar in the 30th minute and Leonard had to save with a fingertip four minutes later.

“That’s what I live for,” Leonard said. “I like the feeling. I like the big saves. I like it when I feel like the team is on my back and I can carry the weight.”

With the wind picking up speed in the second half, Camden controlled the game, generating nine shots in the second half and the two 15-minute overtime periods. Scarborough goalkeeper Seamus Corry made five of his eight saves, and defender Carter Blanche put away a potential goal with a leaping header. Overall, the Red Storm were stronger in the air, surviving seven corner chances and several other free kicks.

“We played fantastic defensively. I couldn’t be more proud,” said Scarborough coach Mark Diaz.

Corry was able to get his hands on Camden’s third penalty, from Bennett. He had also saved the match by catching Jasper Hackett’s header from a corner 47 seconds before half-time.

“The defense, they were unbelievable. Everyone. The attackers came back and defended,” Corry said. “It was a strong wind, but they fought so hard. I am proud of them.”

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