The star system is not alive and well in Gorham.

After 11 games, the Rams are the only unbeaten, untied team in Western Class A, and they did it without one dominating player.

“This is the first year we’ve really come together as a team,” said Kiersten Turner, a senior midfielder. “I think in the past it’s been more focused on individual success, but this year it’s been all about the team, which is really nice.”

“This year our focus has been to put the team above ourselves,” said Audrey Adkinson, another senior midfielder. “When you put the team above yourself, (good) results will come, and they have.”

Gorham has outscored opponents 44-6 with 15 players scoring.

“Actually I’ve never been on a team that’s as close as our team is this year,” said Lindsey Smith, a senior back. “Every practice we have fun together and we work hard together, and we look forward to playing and doing team things.”

The team includes players from all four classes, freshmen through seniors.

“When we step on the field, it doesn’t really matter what grade or what age anybody is,” Smith said. “We all play as a unit.”

Their huge goal differential notwithstanding, the Rams have been involved in tight games, including 1-0 victories against defending Class A champion Scarborough, and highly respected Deering and Sanford.

“We take every game as the toughest game of the season, and I think that’s what helped us so far this season,” Smith said.

“We don’t think ahead. We’re not planning ahead. We’re thinking about our next game and focusing on that.”

Balance and depth also have provided keys to Gorham’s success.

“We really don’t have a weak player,” Turner said. “Our (substitutes) are coming off the bench to give new legs to the team.”

“We have just as much depth coming off the bench as we have on the field at the beginning of the game,” Smith said.

Gorham Coach Jeanne Zarilli said her players have an extremely strong work ethic.

“It’s a team that is really willing to work hard,” she said. “All the individuals are willing to work hard at whatever one needs to do. They all have different strengths they bring to the field, but everybody has something.

“They know they have something to contribute and that’s what they focus on.”

While Zarilli is somewhat surprised at how well the Rams are doing, her players seem to take all their success in stride.

“I knew we would have a great season,” Turner said. “It’s funny because not a lot of people expected us to have the season that we’re having, and I think it really goes to show we have a strong team. We’re really focused on the team this year, and we have such great team chemistry.”

CAPE ELIZABETH will have to defeat two of its toughest opponents to nail home-field advantage in the Western Class A playoffs.

Going into Wednesday’s games, Cape Elizabeth held a nine-point lead over Gorham for the top of the Heal point standings.

With one week remaining in the regular season, the Capers (10-0-2) will play Greely (12-1) on Friday in Cumberland and defending Class B state champion Falmouth (8-3-1) at home Tuesday night.

On Sept. 16, the Capers got a 2-1 win over Greely at home. On Sept. 14, Cape and the Yachtsmen finished 1-1 at Falmouth.

Staff Writer Paul Betit can be contacted at 791-6424 or at:

pbetit@pressherald.com

Twitter: PaulBetitPPH