Scarborough girls get off to a fast start and beat Wyndham in regional final

WATERBORO — The Josie Duncan Show took center stage Tuesday night at Massabesic High School, and thanks in large part to an outstanding freshman, the Scarborough girls soccer team clinched a return ticket to the state finals.

Facing top-ranked Windham in the Class A South final, the second-ranked Red Storm immediately took control of the contest when senior Grace Carlista scored at just 48 seconds.

If that wasn’t enough to stun the Eagles, Scarborough doubled their lead in the 17th minute when Duncan, a rookie mind you, somehow took a 50-yard free kick and bounced off the turf.

Five minutes later, Duncan was inches away from making another free kick, and that miss gave momentum to Windham, who got back into the game with 10:35 left in the first half when senior standout Emily Talbot finished the game.

Late in the second half, the Eagles fought for an opportunity to tie the game but were unable to do so, and then, with 8:04 remaining, Duncan (did I mention she’s a rookie?) put an end to any doubt with a free kick from 35 yards into the box. net, which was the finishing touch to the Red Storm victory with a score of 3-1.

Scarborough improved to 14-1-2, capped Windham’s fine season at 14-2-1 and advanced to its third straight Class A state final where it will take on Bangor (16-1) on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. at Morse High School. in Bath.

“It means a lot to win this trophy for the first time,” Duncan said. “It’s an amazing feeling. It was definitely a nerve-wracking start. There was a lot of pressure to win, but I knew we were going to do it. I knew it would be difficult, but we did it.”

Peak at the right time

After winning the last two Class A state titles and the individual excellence of Lana Juranovic (who now plays for the University of Miami) last season, the Red Storm were expected to return in 2024.

This did not happen.

Scarborough did settle for a draw at home to Gorham and Cheverus and lost a stunning 2-1 decision at Falmouth with less than a second to score, but the Red Storm gradually emerged as a powerhouse as the season progressed and won their final five games.

In the South Class A quarterfinals, Scarborough posted a 4-1 second-half win over No. 7 Marshwood. In the semifinal round last Friday, the Red Storm ousted No. 3 Gorham 4-2.

Meanwhile, Windham was widely considered the favorite this year and, with the exception of an early draw with Thornton Academy and a loss to Scarborough, he lived up to his expectations.

The Eagles beat No. 8 Kennebunk (8-0) in the quarterfinals and also ousted No. 4 Cheverus with relative ease in the semifinal round last Saturday (3-0).

In the teams’ regular season meeting on Oct. 10, Duncan and junior Paige Garlock scored goals to give host Scarborough a 2-1 win.

“The first time we played Windham, I thought we could do it,” longtime Red Storm coach Mike Farley said. “We just lost to Falmouth. When we did as well against Wyndham as we did at home, I thought we were on to something. Since then, every game has gotten better and better and better. The girls hit the nail on the head.”

The teams had previously met in the playoffs six times, with the Red Storm holding a 4–2 advantage. The most recent meeting came in the Class A South semifinals in 2018, with Scarborough winning 1-0 in overtime.

On Tuesday, a balmy early November evening (58 degrees and light winds at the start), Windham hoped to overcome his recent foe, but nothing stopped the Red Storm Express from roaring out of the gate.

On Scarborough’s first offensive foray, Carlista was given some space on the left flank and she burst into play and with 48 seconds into the game, fired a left-footed shot that went past Eagles sophomore goalkeeper Libby Hartwell, hit the far post and then ricocheted into the goal. . give the Red Storm an advantage they would never relinquish.

“I had the opportunity to get ahead and I hit it,” Carlista said. “I was just trying to put it online. It was amazing.”

“Grace has a great shot,” Duncan said. “It was phenomenal when she scored. It raised our energy and intensity.”

“Grace is lethal with her left foot,” Farley added. “She caught the goalie by surprise. We have a good rebound there. You always want to be in the lead because it puts pressure on the other team. We could calm down.

Talbot tried to answer Windham, but missed the goal.

After Duncan sent her first free kick wide of the net, the Eagles’ senior Stella Jarvais headed a corner kick just wide of the net, then Scarborough senior goalkeeper Sophia Rinaldi beat junior Neve Ledbetter off a cross from sophomore Mackenzie Delevski.

With 23:30 left in the first half, after Windham fouled right in his own territory, Duncan showed off her cannonball right leg.

Duncan took a shot into the box where senior Delia Fravert couldn’t get to it, but the ball bounced, flew over Hartwell’s head, hit the underside of the crossbar and rolled into the net for an incredible goal and a double. -0 advantage.

“I was trying to score,” Duncan said. “I was close enough and said, ‘It’s coming in.’ Somewhere beyond half the field, I say go for it. This has happened a couple of times recently. Tangle the ball in the perfect spot. Delia does a great job.

“It was so great to have Josie on the team,” Carlista said. “She made such an impact as a freshman. She just throws the ball and I’m so sure it’s going to hit the target.”

“It’s crazy because normally you would think a freshman would be really nervous, but since the summer it feels like she’s been playing here for four years,” Farley added. “Most of my kids couldn’t hit the ball like that. Even Lana wouldn’t throw the ball that fast from anywhere other than 30 yards. Josie can extend the ball 10 yards and hit it under the crossbar with a tap-in. This is not a float. It’s a rocket.”

After Harwell dove to save Fravert’s shot and Hartwell saved senior Emma Blanchette’s shot from Fravert’s corner kick, Duncan lined up another free kick with 18:45 left in the first half, this time from 25 yards to the left. side.

Duncan hit the ball the same way he did all the others that night, but it went slightly higher and hit the crossbar.

Windham still had life and returned to competition.

After Talbot missed the goal and a free kick from senior Kayla Harvey was headed wide, the Eagles took the lead with 10:35 on the clock when Delevski’s shot bounced off a defender and straight to Talbot, who dribbled the ball and fired it past Rinaldi inside sides. the far post, and the score became 2-1.

After Hartwell saved a shot from junior Maya Taylor and Duncan fired a 20-yard free kick just high, Windham nearly tied the game with 57 seconds left, but freshman Emily Wardwell missed just above the box.

Despite continuing to play for most of the first half, Scarborough held a one-goal lead early in the second half.

Four minutes into the second half, senior Tayla Pelletier set Talbot up for a good look, but she missed the target.

With 27:19 left in regulation, Talbot crossed the ball from the right flank, and Rinaldi had to come out and put him out of harm’s way.

With 17:10 left, Talbot managed to shoot from 25 yards, but Rinaldi saved the shot.

With 10:13 left in the match, Red Storm senior captain and defender Megan Rumelhart broke up Talbot’s attack.

Talbot got another promising look 37 seconds later, evading two defenders and finding some space, but Rinaldi calmly made the save.

“I was scared, but I saw Sophia see where (Emily) was going to go and I was confident she would stop it,” Farley said.

The Red Storm then punted the ball away with 8:04 left after drawing another penalty, a foul that Windham’s bench thought should have gone the other way.

Duncan, coming straight from 35 yards out, again met the ball perfectly and fired a shot which Hartwell, although diving, was unable to stop and the ball flew into the net for a 3-1 lead.

“I was kind of shocked,” Duncan said. “I kind of went for it and it just went in.”

“This goal was huge,” Farley said. “It took the pressure off and allowed us to get into a defensive position.”

Windham had one last look, but junior Marley Jarvais’ shot went wide and at 8:41 p.m. Scarborough ran onto the field to pounce on Rinaldi and celebrate their 3-1 victory.

“This is an amazing result,” Carlista said. “We worked so hard all year. We knew from the start that we could do it again, but after the Falmouth game we took it upon ourselves. The first win (Windham) was important. We had a slight advantage over them, but we know they are a good team. We just had to work hard. It was definitely tough in the second half. We knew we had to play good defense.”

“I told the kids they had to earn it, and I think they did,” Farley said. “This team has overcome a lot. I put so much pressure on them and they handled it so well. I was very proud of them. The little things we did today changed the game and made winning a reality. Last year we built our team attack around Lana and tried to put her in dangerous spots in the offensive zone. This year everything has changed. It doesn’t matter who scores. This puts the ball in the other team’s direction, forcing them to make mistakes and move forward. Instead of 32 goals from one person, we get goals from everyone.”

Scarborough outshot Windham 9-5 in the frame, getting four saves from Rinaldi and hitting three corner kicks.

The Eagles made six saves from Hartwell and also converted three corners, but were unable to achieve the desired result.

“They’re fast and well-coached,” said longtime Windham coach Deb LeBel of the Red Storm. “We knew we couldn’t foul in our own half. We knew it would bite us, and that’s exactly what happened. We had a lot of momentum in the second half and that changed everything.

“I have a very talented graduating class. I’m proud of everything they’ve achieved. This young group did a great job too.”

Chance to make history

Scarborough has faced Bangor in the state finals four times, winning three times, including last year’s contest (2-0).

The Red Storm has a 6-5 record in state play, but they have never won three Gold Bowl titles in a row.

Now Scarborough has that opportunity.

“We don’t need to change anything,” Duncan said. “We just need to come together as a team and maintain our energy and chemistry. I’m really excited to play in the state game. There will be a lot of adrenaline. I’m excited.”

“We just need to keep doing what we’ve been doing,” Carlista said. “Keep working hard. Keep going. Teamwork will make this possible. We’re happy with our chances.”

“This group knows they’re in a really good situation and they’re playing really well,” Farley added. “We will prepare. It’s hard to win one, let alone three. We’ll try to do our best in this game and see if we can get another one.”

Sports Editor Michael Hoffer can be reached at [email protected].