Windham Lady Eagles' soccer shut out Noble with unselfish play

Windham High junior Abbey Thornton is about to send the
ball directly at the goal during the Lady Eagles' varsity girls'
soccer game against Noble in North Berwick on Saturday,
Sept. 18. Windham defeated Noble, 6-0.
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA

By Matt Pascarella

Junior Abbey Thornton scored twice in the first half when Windham varsity girls’ soccer outplayed Noble. She was followed by several teammates and the Lady Eagles beat the Knights with a 6-0 win.

Windham’s junior varsity freshman Jaelyn Poitras scored early in the game and twice more in the first half. After Poitras scored, Windham kept up the intensity and walked off the field with an 8-0 victory.

At the final buzzers Windham girls’ varsity and JV soccer teams played two intense games at Noble on Saturday, Sept. 18 with Windham varsity and JV teams remaining undefeated with 5-0 records.

Varsity

After losing to Noble two years ago 1-0, Windham took the field ready to show they weren’t looking for a repeat of that game.

“I think I always work hard and people around me work hard,” said Thornton. “We have energy, and it feeds off of each other. We’re all really driven and want to succeed.”

The Lady Eagles moved the ball well and were hungry for this win.

“We knew [Noble] was going to be tougher competition than we’d seen so far this year and a team we couldn’t take for granted because they beat us two years ago,” said Windham varsity coach Deb Lebel. “I’m really happy we came out and played really well.”

Lebel added that the team had tremendous passing and unselfish play which she said will take Windham very far against tougher teams.

After freshman Caitlyn Marsh found the back of the net Windham led 3-0 at the half.

Thornton barely let the second half start before she headed the ball into the goal in the first 14 seconds.

Windham’s hustle and intensity remained until the buzzer. Windham owned the field. Many Windham players passed to teammates when they had an opportunity to take a shot at goal.

Senior Sarah Talon got one just by the goalie and junior Elizabeth Talbot also scored. Windham stayed with the ball and kept the pressure on until the end.

Junior Varsity

Windham began with solid defense. They also exhibited sharing of the ball as multiple Lady Eagles took shots on goal.

Poitras was first to score. Junior Delana Perkins scored next. When a penalty kick in the first half could have put Noble on the scoreboard, freshman goalie Ali Tetrault made a great save.

Windham led 4-0 at the half.

Offensively, Windham could not be caught. Junior Sarah Bell booted the ball just over the goalie’s head into the corner of the goal.

Windham Freshman Tayla Pelletier kicked the ball just out of reach of the goalie and scored. Freshman Olivia Shaw scored as did senior Marion Duyck.

Poitras said communication and passing helped the team get the win. Bell said when she scored it felt great because she knew her team had her back, and they are really fun to play with.

“[Windham] had to be unselfish the entire game,” said Windham JV coach Lisa Anderson. “Even in the last eight minutes of the game we had five or six passes right at the 18 [yard line] and that was them proving we’re not just going to put it in the net, put it in the net, put it in the net.” <