FALMOUTH — The Falmouth High girls’ soccer team didn’t end Yarmouth’s unbeaten streak Tuesday night, but did put a blemish on the Clippers’ record.

The teams played to a scoreless tie, ending Falmouth’s four-game losing streak in a Western Maine Conference game.

“It was a very well-played game by both teams,” Yarmouth Coach Rich Smith said. “It was pretty even, actually.”

The Clippers (11-0-1), the top-ranked team in Western Class B, held a 13-4 edge in shots during regulation play and a 3-0 edge in overtime. But most of them came on the fly from outside the penalty box and were easily handled by Falmouth goalie Elizabeth Estabrook.

“Falmouth played well and I thought my girls played well, too,” Smith said. “We had some scoring opportunities. We had some chances, but (we) didn’t quite convert. But that’s OK. We knew it was going to be tough.”

On Sept. 11, Yarmouth earned a 3-2 victory over the Yachtsmen (6-5-1) at home.

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“I think we showed them what it takes to unlock the door,” Falmouth Coach Jon Meek said. “I think we have the confidence that we can (play) with them and that we can possibly turn them over.”

While the Clippers held a sizeable edge in shots, neither team held much of a territorial advantage.

“They pushed the ball up a little bit and we pushed it back a little bit,” Meek said. “We know how they play. They’re very organized.”

Meek credited Falmouth’s fullbacks with limiting Yarmouth’s time of possession.

“We changed our back line a little bit this season,” he said. “I think they’re organized better. They understand one another. We play a system in which they defend as a unit rather than ones and twos. The longer those four play together, the better they look, to be honest with you.”

Both teams had early chances.

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In the 11th minute, Yarmouth goalie Olivia Smith, who had four saves, came off her line to punch the ball away before Rachel Bauer could get her head on a long direct kick by Jess DiPhilippo.

In the 23rd minute, Estabrook used her right hand to deflect Jeanna Lowety’s shot from 10 yards just wide of the left post.

Smith had another big moment eight minutes into the second half when she came about 10 yards off her line to break up a run by Mary Kowalsky.

Estabrook preserved the tie when she stopped Olivia Conrad’s shot from well within the penalty area with two minutes left in overtime.

“Our work ethic was brilliant, 110 percent, which is what was required,” Meek said.

“Maybe with a little luck here and there, we might have come out of it with a win.”

 Staff Writer Paul Betit can be contacted at 791-6424 or at: pbetit@pressherald.com

 


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