WYSA’s Windham 2 team ends summer season with narrow loss to Freeport

Windham 2 team sophomore Preston Stretch heads across 
the pitch during a youth soccer game July 28 at Freeport.
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA

By Matt Pascarella 

It was a defensive battle in the first half as Windham Youth Soccer Association’s Windham 2 team prevented opponent Freeport from scoring, but a second half goal was the difference as Windham 2 fell to Freeport 1-0 on the road on Thursday, July 28.

Windham offense was strong and had many shots at goal throughout the game against Freeport but was unable to capitalize.

Freeport narrowly found the back of the net early in the second half and despite a very strong effort by Windham, they were not able to tie or get ahead and lost by a single goal.

“We did good, we could’ve played better,” said Windham freshman Aidan Difiore. “Our defense was spacing out. We were getting through well; we just couldn’t finish.”

Difiore said passing in the midfield area, clearing the ball and spacing went really well. 

As soon as the game began Windham had a solid attempt with an early shot at goal. Windham worked hard and gave 100 percent the entire game.

Windham pressured Freeport and kept the ball almost exclusively in front of the Freeport goalie for the entire first half. Windham had many shots at goal that included a direct kick that hit the top bar of the goal.

The Windham defense prevented Freeport from scoring in the first half, ending in a 0-0 tie at intermission.

“We had more chances to score I feel,” said Windham Youth Soccer Association’s Windham 2 coach Mitchell Hodge. “I think just nerves and excitement and all of that flowing [led to] some split-second mistakes or miss hitting the ball or little things like that.”

Hodge said that it was a pretty positive game overall, which is what he’s looking for. He said the season has been good, he’s seen a lot of growth and excitement about the upcoming high school fall season.

Hodge said the team made some adjustments in the second half that worked really well, along with spacing and positioning with their mid-field and forwards.

In the second half, Freeport scored within the first minute of play.

Windham continued to work hard and hustled in the second half as they worked to score. The Eagles again had multiple shots at goal, even one that bounced off the goal’s side bar.

“I think we did good; it was just those final passes we got to capitalize more on,” said Windham freshman Camden Patin. “The final 15 minutes of that last half, we wanted it more than they did. It’s a tough loss, but I think we’ll be a good team coming up this year.”

Patin said he could see their improvement from the first game in the beginning of the summer season to this one with Freeport. He said communication and one-touch passes went well against Freeport. <