Windham boys’ soccer season ends after amazing run

Windham junior Tyler Johnsen keeps his focus on the ball as
he works to be first to it during Windham High's Class A
South semifinal playoff game against Marshwood on
Monday, Nov. 1 at Lewiston High School.
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA

By Matt Pascarella

The Windham boys’ varsity soccer team was pretty much flawless in their record for the entire season. They finished their regular season ranked first going into the playoffs and finished their full-season run with a record of 15-2.

They put in a solid effort against Marshwood in the Class A South semifinal at Lewiston High School on Monday, Nov. 1 but lost 3-0. Windham walked off the field after the game to supportive cheers and applause from family, friends and fans.

At the start of Windham’s Class A South semifinal, Windham showed they had good communication. Their defense kept the game scoreless until the second half. The Eagles took shots on goal and fought throughout the first half.

“I’ve never been a part of a team like this and even when we’re losing, we’re still a team,” said Windham senior Sam Glicos. “We did what we could; we worked hard, sometimes things just don’t go your way ... that’s just how soccer goes. I thought we worked hard enough, but we just didn’t get the result we wanted.”

Marshwood scored three goals in the first 10 minutes of the second half. Windham kept their heads up and continued to work until the end. Windham continued to take shots on goal, but although nothing landed, they never gave up. Windham senior goalkeeper Colby Connolly had 11 saves.

Windham senior Wyatt Flibbert said he thought the team worked as hard as they could. He said they played their hearts out and he’s really proud of how far they’ve made it as a team. They have a strong bond that Flibbert thinks helped them the whole season and the reason they hung in this game.

“We been pretty committed since this summer,” said Windham varsity boys’ soccer coach Ben Schulz. “It’s been a lot of hard work and a lot of coming together as a team. It hurts now, but when we look back on it this is a season that I’ll never forget, and these boys will never forget.

Schulz said that a couple years ago, the crowds weren’t as big as they are now, and he could tell by Windham’s post-game reaction that they care. That is all you can ask as a coach is for the players to care about each other and the game.

Both Glicos and Flibbert are thankful for their teammates and their efforts and said the season wouldn’t have gone as far as a did if not for them. <