Windham Under-13 girls’ soccer beats Falmouth to win championship

Windham seventh-grader Sydney Broadbent goes
up against a Falmouth defender in the girls'
Under-13 championship soccer game on Nov. 1 
in Freeport. Broadbent scored a goal along with
Never Ledbetter, who scored two. Marley Jarvais
and Grace Hansen also scored. The girls had a
5-0 win against Falmouth to win the championship.
PHOTO BY BETHANY BROADBENT   

By Craig Broadbent

Special to The Windham Eagle

The Windham Youth Soccer Association girls’ Under-13 travel soccer team competed in the 2020 Soccer Maine state playoffs which culminated in a championship game on Nov. 1 in Freeport.

The Lady Eagles 5-1 season record earned them the top seed in the playoffs. They beat Yarmouth and Brunswick to then win the championship against Falmouth, 5-0.

Windham won the first round of playoffs on Oct. 25 with a 6-0 win over the Yarmouth Colts. The frigid, early morning semifinal match on Oct. 31 against the talented Brunswick Dragons proved to be the toughest of the playoffs.

Windham forward Sydney Broadbent scored the first goal with a low, laser beam that snuck past the goalie’s outstretched hands and midfielder Neve Ledbetter knocked in the game winner off a cross for the 2-1 victory.

The championship match against longtime rival Falmouth featured back and forth battles. Windham midfielders Nola Bryant, Neve Ledbetter, Demi Nicholas, and Myla Vercoe won most of the 50/50 balls and controlled play.

Windham’s forwards, led by Marley Jarvais and Sydney Broadbent, along with Peytin Lombardi, Elizabeth Baker, Grace Hansen and Julia Grondin mounted counter attacks throughout the match as
Ella Washburn was injured.

Midway through the first half, Ledbetter made a great run to the back post and scored off a picture perfect cross from Broadbent. Jarvais turned a fantastic pass from midfield into a breakaway through three Falmouth defenders and blasted the second goal of the game past the Falmouth goalie for a 2-0 Windham lead at halftime. 

Falmouth would try to mount a furious comeback but Windham’s defense, led by Brianna Duarte, Emma Fox, Addie Caiazzo, Nealie Morey and goalie Madison Donnelly shutout Falmouth. Ledbetter’s second goal of the game and goals by Grace Hansen and Broadbent rounded out the scoring for a state final victory for Windham.

“The season went well,” said Windham seventh-grader Broadbent. “I had fun. I really enjoyed the state
finals. It was nice for the team get the goals and be able to calm down a little bit. Winning was a good way to end the season.”

Windham coaches Craig Broadbent, John Nicholas and Liz Mycock, are very proud of the way the team played all season. They’re grateful to have some of the best players in Maine on one team and thankful that they coached a team of competitors who never gave up, played any style under any condition and are more concerned about winning than individual stats.

The coaches are very appreciative of the parents and families supporting this great group of athletes. They also wanted to thank Soccer Maine for not giving up on the season and all the volunteers who made the season possible. <