CUMBERLAND – Losing in the playoffs is hard.

Losing an overtime game in the playoffs? Well, that really stings.

That’s just what happened to the sixth-ranked Gorham girls soccer team in Cumberland on Tuesday night, as they battled No. 3 Greely to a scoreless tie for 80 minutes before surrendering the decisive goal 6:13 into the first overtime session to lose 1-0 in a Class A West quarterfinal game.

The Rams closed out the season with an 11-4 record while the 10-3-2 Rangers will head into the semifinals against Thornton Academy this weekend.

After the game, a disappointed Gorham Head Coach Jeanne Zarrilli said while the loss hurt, she was happy with the effort her team gave in the game. “We fought hard,” she said. “It was going to be a one-goal game either way, and we had our chances and we didn’t finish. But I thought our defense kept Greely from having some quality chances all game, so (it comes down to) who’s worn down in the last seconds. I told (the team) they should be proud of our effort.”

The game’s only goal came with 8:47 left to go in the first 15-minute overtime period. Greely’s Sammi Toorish hit a long cross pass to the middle of the field and Gorham keeper Sarah Perkins, who had several big stops in regulation to keep Gorham in the game, came out to make the stop, but the ball eluded her. The Rangers’ Kelly Burrell was in position to take possession of the ball and knocked it home for the game-winning goal.

The Rams had their chances in this one. Just under four minutes into the overtime, the Rams’ Erin Smith hit a pass toward the Ranger goal that keeper Lindsey Arsenault was unable to play. However, the Rams were not able to capitalize on the opportunity with a shot on net.

During the second half of regulation, the Rams had some solid chances to score, but were thwarted both times. The best chance came with 14:50 left in regulation, with Arsenault down in front of the Greely net, Gorham’s Kiersten Turner had a shot knocked away by the Ranger defense, Smith had a chance at the rebound, but her shot missed the mark as well.

Despite the disappointing end to the season, Zarrilli said she is optimistic for the Rams’ chances next fall. “We learned a lot this season that we can work to improve on next season,” she said. “I think we’re going to be good next year. I really like what I see from the younger group.”

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