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LEWISTON — Camden Hills and Lewiston are no strangers on the pitch.
The two programs — ranked fifth and sixth, respectively, in the first Varsity Maine boys soccer poll of 2026 — met in the Class A North title game in 2023 and 2024, trading wins on their ways to state championships.
“I will say, and (Camden Hills coach) Ryan (Hurley) and I have talked about it, it’s one of the best rivalries in Maine soccer,” said Lewiston coach Dan Gish. “It’s always super competitive, two skilled teams that have a little bit different styles, but works for each.”
So, it was only fitting that the latest meeting between the two teams came down to the wire. Lewiston rallied from two goals down, and a late goal by Yussuf Ali gave the Blue Devils a 3-2 win Tuesday.
“We know (Camden Hills is) coming to win also,” Ali said. “It’s not just like a regular team. They’re not going to start us slow. We know what Camden can do. They’re previous champions just like us, and it was a debate and whoever wants to win it more.”
How it happened
Camden Hills (1-1) got to work early and took the lead when Des Costigan scored just over eight minutes in. A little over three minutes later, Connor Middleton found the back of the net off an assist from Soren Johnson to give the Windjammers a to 2-0 lead.
With about four minutes left in the half, Ali scored off a ricocheted ball following a corner kick. Some of the Windjammers players protested that a hand ball had occurred, but the goal stood, bringing Lewiston within one.
In the second half, Daniel Dimandja scored the equalizer for the Blue Devils with about 20 minutes to play. Ali scored his second goal off an assist from Abdirauf Hersi with less than two minute left to give Lewiston (2-0) the win.
“(Camden Hills) went up 2-0, and what I love about my guys is they’re mentally tough,” Gish said. “And they clawed back, I’m like, ‘We just got to get one.’ And once we got one … clawing and clawing, they didn’t blame each other. It was a great team effort. And if you can come back 2-0 on Camden, that’s quite a feat.”
Unsung hero
Khalil Ibrahim did not record the assist on the winning goal, but he set the play in motion, passing the ball to Hersi who then found Ali for the score.
Heard it here first
• “I think it’s the best rivalry in the state. Kids get up for it. …That’s a playoff game every time, it’s not like a regular season game.” — Camden Hills coach Ryan Hurley
• “We knew this game was really important to send a message to the rest of the state.” — Yussuf Ali
Statistical leaders
• Lewiston: Yussuf Ali (two goals, assist), Daniel Dimandja (goal), Abdirauf Hersi (assist)
• Camden Hills: Des Costigan (goal), Connor Middleton (goal), Soren Johnson (assist)