WHS boys’ soccer and field hockey teams reach regional finals, girls' soccer falls in semifinals

By Matt Pascarella

Boys’ Soccer

In the quarterfinal boys’ soccer playoff, No. 6 Windham knocked out No. 3 Marshwood 1-0 on Oct. 26 at Marshwood in triple overtime that ended in penalty kicks. Windham eliminated No. 2 Deering 1-0 at Portland on Oct. 28 in the semifinal game when junior Nick Marion scored early.

The Eagles played No. 1 Scarborough at Sanford and Windham battled for two halves plus an overtime, but Scarborough won 2-1.

Windham sophomore Sam Rogers runs by a Scarborough
defender before passing to a teammate during the Class A
boys' soccer South Regional final on Tuesday, Nov. 1 at
Sanford High School. PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA  

Both defenses made it difficult for the other team. Windham offense had a few solid shots at goal in the first half. Scarborough took a 1-0 lead at the half.

Sophomore goalie Lukas Hammond, who had 18 saves said everybody brought it and he couldn’t ask for better people to play with.

With 2:57 left in regulation play, Windham sophomore Sam Rogers scored from a corner kick and tied the game 1-1 which sent it into overtime.

“It means a lot to go far with this team, because they are my friends and I love them all. We worked hard; it was amazing,” said Rogers.

Windham, hungry, fired a shot off the top of Scarborough’s crossbar during overtime. The period was almost over when Scarborough scored.

“We weren’t intimidated by the No. 1 team in the conference,” said Windham varsity boys’ soccer coach Jeff Neal. “We pushed a good team to the brink and didn’t give up down by one – that’s the mark of a great team, even if they come up short.”

Neal said player grittiness went well. Windham proved they belong in the upper echelon of teams this year. Neal couldn’t ask for anything more.

Girls’ soccer

No. 3 Windham fought hard in the Class A South semifinal against No. 2 Gorham at Gorham on Saturday, Oct. 29. The game was scoreless after one half. Windham kept up the intensity, but with five minutes left, Gorham scored and won 1-0. Windham ends their season 13-3.

Field Hockey

After upsetting No. 3 Scarborough 3-2 at Scarborough on Oct. 27 in the Class A South quarterfinals, No. 6 Windham returned home on Oct. 29 to face No. 7 Gorham in the Class A South semifinals where they won 3-1.

“We do a good job at bouncing back when we’re down, because we really believe in being able to come back,” said Windham senior Ella Wilcox who scored the tie-breaking goal in the Scarborough game.

In the Gorham game, Windham pressured and stayed with the ball. Sophomore Zoe Dries put the Lady Eagles on the scoreboard. Senior Emma Morrison scored a short time later. Windham defense blocked any Gorham scoring opportunities. At the half, Windham led 2-0.

“This was the most confident the girls have come into the game this season,” said Windham varsity field hockey coach Cory DiDonato. “We were a completely different team when we played Gorham third game into the season. [Gorham] dominated that game and we were still working out the kinks. [Today], every single one of these [Windham] kids came onto the field believing they would win; no one had a doubt and they pulled it off. I'm so excited.”

Gorham scored at the start of the fourth quarter. Windham sophomore Grace Joly scored from close range and Windham did not let up until the buzzer.

“It's really amazing; we've worked hard all season and we've come together,” said Windham senior Emma Morrison. “We wanted to bring the intensity and ... get in front of them with the ball and we did that, we executed it well.” <