SOUTH PORTLAND – Westbrook High had very little trouble generating chances against South Portland in a Western Class A field hockey game Tuesday.

For the second straight game, the Blue Blazes blitzed an opponent on the way to a 2-0 victory.

It was the second victory for unbeaten Westbrook and the opening game of the season for the Red Riots.

The winning margin would have been much wider except for the combination of Red Riots goalkeeper Lani Edwards and a Blue Blazes offensive finishing touch that’s showing some early-season rust.

“We came out on fire, I guess, and the kids looked pretty aggressive,” said Westbrook Coach Beth Murphy. “I knew the goalie was tough; she’s one of the kids that’s been there for a couple of years and has done a pretty good job.

“The goal, obviously, was instead of hitting it at her, you try to go around her and if you can get right off her first stop, you get that stick down and hopefully pop a goal in.”

The Blue Blazes dominated the opening 15 minutes, played almost exclusively on the Red Riots’ half of the field, and came up with numerous chances.

The best came from Ally Lemay, who, with Edwards down and out of the play, had a chance at an open net. But her shot was picked out of midair on the goal line by a defender, which left the game scoreless at the time.

The constant Blue Blazes pressure finally paid off with a goal with 2:33 left in the half when Siobhan Foley sent a ball to the front of the net.

Edwards got just enough of it to slow it down, leaving it loose for Katie Berry, who pounced on the ball to give Westbrook a 1-0 lead at the half.

“That (goal) was a booster,” said Murphy.

“That (also) happened (to us against Noble (in a 3-0 season-opening win). We dominate pretty much half of the game and all it takes is one goal to go in and that’s what wins the game. I think once (Berry) popped that one in there, the kids all felt we could score.”

Westbrook then made it 2-0 after 9:55 of the second half.

Sarah Hopkins scored after some intense pressure from the Blue Blazes. Foley registered her second assist of the game.

The Red Riots’ lone shot of the game came with less than 10 minutes remaining when Brianna Bower launched a long effort that was handled by Westbrook goalkeeper Maryssa Arsenault.

The opportunity sparked South Portland’s most effective offensive pressure of the game, although it was unable to convert.

“They were really, really persistent in the circle and they definitely wanted it a lot,” Edwards said of the Blue Blazes’ constant pressure.

“I feel that we wanted it too, but we just didn’t produce on offense today.”

 

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