CAPE ELIZABETH – They entered the game undefeated and left it the same way, but neither coach was thrilled Thursday night after York and Cape Elizabeth played to a 1-1 tie in a Western Maine Conference boys’ soccer game.

The reason? Missed opportunities.

A back-and-forth first half, when both goals were scored, gave way to a second half that York controlled. But the Wildcats (2-0-1) were unable to break through with a winning goal.

“I think we really put the pressure on in the second half,” said York Coach Michael Masi. “The first half was even but we were definitely the better side in the second half. We had the better possession and chances.”

The Wildcats routinely got the ball free on the side for centering passes but the Capers’ defense snuffed out every threat with few shots even reaching goalie Brett Parker.

“Defending in our final third was really good, but defending around the midfield was not,” said Cape Elizabeth Coach Ben Raymond. “We gave them too much time and space, and they have some good players who were able to create opportunities with that.”

York’s best second-half chance came with less than six minutes to play in regulation when Pierce Twohig gathered a pass approximately 15 yards out, beat a defender and sent a shot from the right side of the goal that sailed over the crossbar.

The goals came early and late in the first half.

James Barlow scored in the fourth minute for the Capers (1-0-1). Tim Lavallee created the opportunity, controlling a loose ball near midfield, racing up the right side, beating several defenders to the goal line and dribbling to within 10 feet of the right post. He then found Barlow waiting in the center.

“Tim is definitely one of the better players that we see play in the state. He beat a couple of guys and instead of serving, he held the ball, waited for James to finish his run, and played a great ball right into him. It was a great goal,” said Raymond.

York had several opportunities to tie throughout the first half, but it wasn’t until two minutes remained that it broke through.

The Wildcats received two corner kicks in succession and on the second, William Bennett sent a ball into a crowd of teammates, where Liam Langaas was able to rise above the defenders and head it in.