YARMOUTH – Devin Simsarian scored her seventh goal in the last four games Thursday night as Yarmouth became the lone unbeaten girls’ soccer team in Western Class B.
Simsarian sent a left-footed shot inside the right post from the left of the bubble in the 58th minute to propel the Clippers to a 1-0 victory against York, the defending state champion.
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“I felt we kept working, kept pressing, and we didn’t back down,” said Yarmouth Coach Rich Smith. “Devin had a great game and a beautiful goal. She had four or five other chances just going hard at it.”
It was the Clippers’ first regular-season victory over the Wildcats in more than two years. York (8-1) has knocked Yarmouth (9-0) out of the regional tournament the past three seasons.
“York comes and they play hard, and they’re skilled,” Smith said. “When you beat a York team, you’re doing something.”
In the first half, the game appeared destined to end in a scoreless tie. Neither team had many chances.
But the Clippers took control in the second half.
“They got the momentum in the second half,” York Coach Wally Caldwell said.
“They are strong in the midfield and some of our players didn’t play as well as they have been playing. We didn’t put things together and we had a game where we struggled a little bit.”
Yarmouth held a 5-1 edge in shots on goal in the second half.
“We passed the ball to feet a little bit more instead of just kicking it long,” Smith said. “We played a great possession game.”
The goal by Simsarian, who was held in check by York fullback Nicole Taylor for much of the game, was set up by a pass from Rebecca Bell.
“Once I got the ball under control, I realized Nikki Taylor wasn’t on my back, so I just took (the shot),” she said.
“I just had to stand my ground and be as an aggressive player as (Taylor) is strong.”
Freshman Olivia Smith made five saves to post her fifth shutout of the season.
York goalie Carly Lee, who has four shutouts, made six saves.
“I was really proud with the way we played from the back line, from the goalie all the way through,” Smith said.
“We just kind of controlled the game.”
The victory enabled the Clippers to take a firmer grasp on the top spot in the Heal point standings.
The teams will meet again Oct. 14 at York.
Staff Writer Paul Betit can be contacted at 791-6424 or at:
pbetit@pressherald.com
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