CUMBERLAND — In a span of two minutes, Greely lost two key players and Falmouth was able to make a big play to earn a 1-0 win over Greely in a Western B boys’ soccer game Monday night at Hutchins Field.

Greely lost star striker Jacob Nason to an injury, then was forced to go to its backup goalie less than a minute later. Falmouth capitalized when Jonah Spiegel headed in a cornerkick with 8:40 remaining.

Nason was carried off the field with a knee injury with 9:50 to play. He was taken down just outside the Falmouth box, the last blow he absorbed in a physical game. At one point in the first half, he played with tissues stuffed in his nostrils to stem a bloody nose.

“My issue wasn’t losing the game, it was losing Jay Nason,” Greely Coach Mike Andreasen said. “We rely on him a lot. Not just to score goals; he makes plays for us.”

Less than a minute later, Greely starting goalie John Wright (14 saves) was issued a yellow card for throwing the ball into a stand of trees, apparently frustrated that Falmouth was awarded a corner kick when he bobbled a save and was ruled to have stepped over the end line. Wright came off to serve his penalty. Backup Owen Potenziano (two saves) barely had time to get his gloves on before facing the Yachtsmen’s corner.

“To have a new goalie come out to face that was difficult,” Andreasen said. “Having Jacob already on the bench made it a nightmare. We were a little shellshocked. It was a nice kick and the kid finished it.”

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Falmouth took advantage of its opportunity when Spiegel leapt high to head in a corner kick by Ben Lydick, which swung in from Potenziano’s right.

“A perfect serve, a perfect finish, a perfect night,” said Falmouth Coach Dave Halligan. “Greely played great too. We just got the break.”

After a slow opening few minutes, Falmouth carried play most of the night, forcing Wright to make some spectacular saves on bids by Ben Wuesthoff, who redirected crosses from Matt Polewaczyk and Lydick. Wright stopped Luke Velas, who made a habit of slashing into the box, and Jake Grand on consecutive shots from point-blank range late in the first half.

The Rangers’ offense came largely from their two energetic strikers, Nason and Hunter Graham, who turned quick midfield passes into runs at Falmouth’s physical back line, and put pressure on keeper Jesse Melchiskey (13 saves).

“My defense played great all game,” Melchiskey said. “I could see everything. I didn’t face any difficult shots all night.”

The Yachtsmen (6-0-2), who tied Greely 0-0 on a cold rainy night in Falmouth on Sept. 13, have won three straight. They play at Yarmouth on Saturday.

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“This (win) is a huge confidence boost for us,” Spiegel said. “It will bring us into the Yarmouth game strong and confident.”

The Rangers (6-1-1) had their four-game winning streak snapped. They play at York on Thursday.

“We had our chances, we could have won,” Andreasen said.

“We’ve been living on the edge lately. We’ll regroup and move forward.”


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