Strong second half earns Windham varsity girls’ soccer win over Sanford

By Matt Pascarella

The WHS girls’ soccer team significantly overpowered Sanford at Sanford on Saturday, Sept. 13. Windham led 1-0 going into the second half and really turned up the intensity. The Eagles scored four goals in the second half; two goals from senior Neve Ledbetter, one from junior Mackenzie Delewski and one from freshman Logan Curry and at the final whistle, Windham seized a 5-0 win over the Spartans.

Windham freshman Logan Curry prepares to score a goal
during the final 40 seconds of a girls' soccer match against
Sanford at Sanford High School on Saturday, Sept. 13.
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA 

“I think in the first half we came out a little slow and we were probably not mentally prepared,” said Ledbetter. “In the second half we came out with more intensity, we worked harder, we played together more as a team and I feel like, overall, it was a better half for us mentally and physically. We played a lot better and showed ourselves in the second half.”

Windham attempted multiple shots at goal early on and their defense kept control of the pitch as Sanford had far fewer scoring opportunities.

On a direct kick late in the first half, Windham senior Marley Jarvais passed to Ledbetter who kicked in into the Sanford net putting Windham on the scoreboard, 1-0.

“Marley’s play was super creative,” said Windham varsity girls’ soccer coach Deb Lebel. “They did (the direct kick) indirectly, without us prompting. Once we made (Sanford’s) keeper go on her side – we knew she could save all those high ones – so we had to start putting it on the ground. (Sanford’s) keeper was extremely good and kept them in the game. We had some really nice shots. In the second half, we told them ‘you got to pick up the intensity just a little bit more.’ And they did. (Windham) started beating (Sanford) to balls, winning balls in the air; not giving up on balls and played through and that’s when we saw goals get to the back of the net.”

The increased intensity made a big difference on Windham’s side of the scoreboard. Delewski scored off a corner kick and a short time later, Ledbetter fired the ball from the side of the goal at just the right angle that it found its way to the back of the net.

With 23 minutes remaining Ledbetter scored again when she got out in front and fired the ball and sent it right past the Sanford goalie.

The Eagles’ defense continued to make things hard for the Spartans and Windham’s offensive attack did not let up the tiniest amount until the final whistle.

But before the match ended, Windham freshman Logan Curry scored her first varsity goal with just 38 seconds left.

"Maya (Dries) got the ball from a great pass and did a through ball right to me and I beat the defender and struck to the corner,” said Curry. “It felt amazing, I like varsity and that means a lot to score. Something that went well was playing the ball to each other and making passes and not just booting the ball. We need to work on pressuring the ball and making runs before the ball gets to the person you need to so we can make that run and potentially score.”

Lebel said this is a great win because the team has traditionally struggled playing at Sanford. She said she hopes this gives the girls confidence to know things are coming together, and if they keep at it, they’ll keep competing with good teams. <