FALMOUTH – No matter how many starters the Falmouth boys’ soccer team loses from year to year, you can usually count on the Yachtsmen to be in contention for the Western Class B championship.

And so it is this year, with Falmouth now one win from another regional title after rallying for two goals in the last six minutes Saturday to earn a 3-2 semifinal victory over Fryeburg Academy.

The second-seeded Yachtsmen (11-3-2) lost nine starters from last year, but still have been one of the best teams in the region. They will be seeking their eighth regional championship in 12 years when they visit No. 1 York on Wednesday.

“We lost a ton of seniors who are playing in college, so we didn’t have much experience. But this group has just grown through the season. We’ve gotten better with each game. This shows their resilience,” said Falmouth Coach Dave Halligan.

The Yachtsmen went in front early on a goal by junior midfielder J.P. White just 1:26 into the game. But the sixth-seeded Raiders (11-6) dominated most of the game, outshooting Falmouth, 23-12.

Fryeburg took a 2-1 lead on two wide-open goals by Paul Kurnick, one off a pass from Stefan Sjekloca with 1:42 left in the first half, and another on a shot into the top of the net from 15 yards with 26:13 remaining.

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Falmouth, meanwhile, struggled to create chances until late in the second half, when it scored twice off corner kicks.

“All season we’ve been like a brotherhood, working together. It’s worked for us. We wanted to keep a strong defense. But one of their strengths is on corners,” Kurnick said.

Falmouth had two goals disallowed, including one with 10:18 remaining. But the Yachtsmen broke through for the tying goal with 5:14 left when junior forward Andrew Murray sent a corner kick toward junior back Luke Andrews, who headed it in.

Then, with just 14 seconds left, another corner kick found its way to junior back Jeremy Lydick, who headed it into the top of the net.

“We got to where we want to be. The second goal gave us a lot of energy. We haven’t had to come from behind all season, but this showed that we can do it,” said Lydick.

Staff Writer Deirdre Fleming can be contacted at 791-6452 or at:

dfleming@pressherald.com

Twitter: FlemingPph

 


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