FALMOUTH – The Class B boys’ soccer state championship game Saturday morning wasn’t just a runaway 5-0 victory for Yarmouth over Ellsworth.

It was a clear example of the vast differences between the two regions of the state that decided the state champion.

Additional Photos

The Yarmouth boys celebrate their second state championship in three years Saturday after a 5-0 victory over Ellsworth in the Class B final at Falmouth High. Ellsworth Coach Brian Higgins marveled at the Clippers’ play, calling it an example of the difference in playing opportunities in the state’s two regions. John Ewing/Staff Photographer

Yarmouth keeper Chris Knaub makes an off-balance save on an Ellsworth shot Saturday to preserve the Clippers shutout of the Eagles. Yarmouth finished the season at 17-0-1. John Ewing/Staff Photographer

“Did you miss this story, how skilled they are, how aggressive? Every single shot was well placed. They are very, very competitive. We’re just not ready for that,” said Ellsworth Coach Brian Higgins.

“Our kids don’t have the same opportunities when we have to drive 2 1/2 hours for travel games, and they drive 10 minutes to an indoor soccer field.”

After 37 years of coaching, 17 state finals and five in the past 12 years, Higgins knows the difference.

And Higgins said Saturday’s game was a perfect example of how year in and year out, Western Maine’s juggernauts are much stronger than Eastern Maine’s best.

Both teams went into the state matchup undefeated, and both carried with them title game experience. It was Ellsworth’s third appearance in the final in four years, and Yarmouth’s second state title in three years.

However, Higgins said Yarmouth’s pace and superb skill proved too much.

“They work for their opportunities,” Higgins said.

“When you’re in the penalty box all day long, the breaks are going to go your way. They work hard. They’re a great team.”

Five players scored for the Clippers (17-0-1) as they jumped ahead early and outshot the Eagles 16-5.

Yarmouth took the lead just 17 minutes, 30 seconds into the game when Campbell Belisle-Haley headed in a corner kick.

Then the Clippers quickly extended their lead when Eamon Costello knocked in a rebound that goalie Jordan Carter let go with 3:55 left in the half.

Thirty-six seconds later, Luke Pierce tipped in a Ryan Maguire pass to make it 3-0 at halftime.

Yarmouth started the second half with just as much intensity.

Just 10:32 into the half, Pierce headed in a corner kick to make it 4-0.

And less than three minutes later, a wide-open Sam Torres headed a goal to the far right corner that Carter didn’t even move toward.

Pierce said the Clippers wanted to take advantage of their size and strength, and capitalizing on corner kicks has been their signature play all year.

He also said they wanted to keep their intensity high.

“You can’t just go against a 17-0 team like it is going to be easy. Falmouth was a big win, but we didn’t want to let that emotion into this game,” the senior captain said.

“We played the whole game like it was 0-0.”

Yarmouth Coach Mike Hagerty said it was this team’s unselfish play and cohesiveness that made it dominant Saturday and all season.

The fact the scoring was spread out among five players, and the fact his players willingly moved to other positions showed an uncommon level of confidence, Hagerty said.

“This team is as good as any state championship team I’ve had. But it is one of the most unselfish. An example of that is senior Jeff Stuart.

“He was injured this year and I said if he got over his injury he would start in the state game. So I told (junior) starter Peter Zeitz that Jeff would start instead and Peter said, ‘Good for Jeff.’ And he didn’t hesitate.

“How many kids would have that kind of response?” Hagerty asked.

“We’ve had kids sit out with injuries, but we don’t get too worried, because other kids have stepped up.”

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

dfleming@pressherald.com

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