The Morse High girls’ soccer team is having some success during its first season in Western Class B.

After Tuesday’s 9-0 victory over Mt. View at Thorndike, Morse was unbeaten and ranked first in the regional Heal point standings.

“It’s all a learning experience,” Morse Coach Steve Boyce said. “It’s all new teams and it’s a challenge from that perspective. We don’t know what to expect each time we play.”

The Shipbuilders made the move to the new classification after enrollment dropped to slightly more than 600 students. The cutoff for Class A soccer is 725.

“To be honest with you, I think we would be competitive (in Class A), but we would always be on the edge looking in,” Boyce said.

The Shipbuilders have not run up against teams like the high-powered Class A teams that used to fill out their schedule.

“It’s very difficult to match the competition you would get from a Brunswick or a Mt. Ararat,” Boyce said.

“Because of the size of the schools, most Class B schools don’t have as much depth as some of the Class A teams, and that’s really where the difference comes in.”

Boyce said the move to Class B didn’t come about just because such change would give the Shipbuilders a better chance to win games.

“Winning is part of it, but the real big part of it is it gives more kids a chance to play,” he said. “Last year when we played Brunswick, we maybe played 13 or 14 kids and the remaining six would sit on the bench and not get any experience. Now, we’re able to play more of our lineup and that makes us stronger.”

The Shipbuilders’ upcoming schedule includes games against Camden Hills, Gardiner, Leavitt, Maranacook, Medomak Valley, Oceanside and Winslow, which are all ranked among the top 10 in either Eastern or Western Class B.

“It’s like a playoff game each time we play because it’s new competition, and we have to approach it that way,” Boyce said.

YORK SWEEPER Addie LaBonte’s ability to kick a soccer ball a long way comes quite naturally.

LaBonte is the daughter of Rich LaBonte, a former York High standout who played quarterback and served as punter 30 years ago at the University of Maine.

“I’ve seen her kick and she’s a natural,” said York Athletic Director Ted Welch, who was head football coach when Rich LaBonte played for the Wildcats.

“She’s just a strong, strong athlete and her technique is perfect for striking a ball a long distance. And she can strike it on net if she needs to,” York girls’ soccer coach Wally Caldwell said.

TWO SETS of sisters are playing for the Deering High varsity.

Rebecca Elowitch is a senior midfielder and her younger sister, Alexis, is a sophomore forward.

Alexis Sivovlos is a senior midfielder and her younger sister, Samantha, is a junior midfielder.

Samantha Sivovlos played for McAuley the past two seasons before transferring to Deering.

GAMES TO WATCH: On Thursday, unbeaten Cape Elizabeth, among the top three teams in Western Class A, visits defending Class B state champion Falmouth.

On Saturday night, Old Orchard Beach, ranked among the four top teams in Western Class C, visits defending Class C champion Sacopee Valley at South Hiram.

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

Twitter: PaulBetit