Campbell boys soccer coach Brian Henderson talks to his disappointed players after Wednesday's loss to Mascoma in the Division III semis in Manchester. (Photo by Jack Belanger)

MANCHESTER — Change of plans.

It was Division III semifinal game full of opportunity for the No. 2 Campbell Cougars on Wednesday vs. No. 3 Mascoma Valley.

It seemed coming in Campbell was in a good spot to return to the finals for fourth time in five years. Even after giving up an early goal, the Cougars had plenty of opportunities to tie the game but could not find the back of the net. A goal in the closing minutes gave the Cougars some life, but the Royals held on for the 2-1 victory and an appearance in Sunday’s championship game at Manchester Memorial High School.

“Overall, this is disappointing for us,” said Campbell head coach Brian Henderson. “We expected to be back in the finals but we didn’t play on par to be there.”

Mascoma Valley’s Grant Suttie put the Royals up in the opening minutes on a kick from the middle of the box. While the goal gave Mascoma the early momentum, there was still plenty of time for Campbell to get back in the game.

Lacking some urgency for the rest of the half, Campbell (16-3) settled in and went on the attack in the second. Royal goalie Matt Favreau was busy making several saves from shots within the box. One of Campbell’s best opportunities came on a corner kick with five minutes left in the game. With an open net a Campbell goal seemed assured but a Royal defender kicked the ball up before crossing the line. The Cougars followed with another shot off the rebound but was saved by Favreau.

Despite having plenty of possession time Henderson felt they “didn’t have enough quality chances. We had a lot of crosses and throws. I don’t know how many corners went through the box and we could can’t get on the end of it.”

The Royals responded on their next possession with a shot from the right side of the box from James Thomas that went over the reach of Campbell goalie Jack Bourque, making the score 2-0 with only a few minutes left in the game. For a team that only gave up nine goals during the regular season, it was an unfamiliar to be in a deep hole late in the game.

“There were times we were sloppy in the back,” said Henderson of his team’s defense. “We let a few too many punts bounce. A few too many chances to for them to get forward. The passing was not good enough. There were one too many turnovers that allowed Mascoma to get going.”

The Cougars finally made good on a scoring opportunity during the stoppage time when Jaxon Jozokos scored with a header off a deep pass from midfield, making the score 2-1 and giving Campbell some hope of forcing overtime.

Campbell had one more opportunity before the final whistle on an indirect kick that came into the box, but the shot missed just high of the goal.

The Royals will now move onto Sunday’s final where they will face the undefeated Gilford Golden Eagles.