MONMOUTH

Time and time again, the Wiscasset High School girls soccer team came up against a wall of Monmouth Academy defenders during a Mountain Valley Conference contest on Wednesday.

The Mustangs, using a tight man-to-man defense, bottled up the tired Wolverine forwards en route to a 2-0 victory as Monmouth remained undefeated (6-0), while Wiscasset fell to 3-2-1 with Telstar visiting on Friday at 5:30 p.m.

“We were tired coming into this game today,” said Wiscasset coach Duane Goud, whose team played its sixth game in 12 days. “We have played a lot, and against tough teams. But, I am positive and looking forward to the rest of the season. We’re still right there.”

Monmouth rode a break midway through the first half, and defenders Shannon Buzzell, Ashley Coulombe, Lenny Urquhart and Sidney Watson frustrated the Wolverines with solid man-to-man defense.

“We were trying to get the ball out to the flags, especially with Monmouth keeping one player back (Buzzell), and we just weren’t doing that enough,” added Goud.

“We were playing like we always play, knowing they would play hard and aggressive, but we stayed right up on them and played them man-to-man,” said Buzzell. “We know everything is going to be tight. We are used to playing these close games, and we are confident protecting a lead.”

The lead came courtesy of a big early break for the hosts. A handball in the penalty area gave the Mustangs a penalty kick, and standout Kylie Kemp made no mistake, firing a hard shot into the top corner of the net past the dive of Wiscasset goaltender Kayla Gordon, who had nine saves.

“It was important to get ahead,” said Kemp. “We haven’t been coming out strong, and I was worried that we wouldn’t again, but that goal really got us going. And, the second goal was even better. A two-goal lead gives us a lot of confidence.”

Monmouth’s confidence grew more later in the first half as the Mustangs added an insurance goal. Kemp hustled to chase down the ball near the end line. She beat a Wiscasset defender and lifted a pass in front of the Wolverines’ cage. Melissa Brassard dug the ball free and scored to make it a 2-0 contest at the half.

From there, Monmouth’s defense did the job, taking away space from dangerous Wiscasset forwards Alecia Faulkingham, Sarah Hanley, Kasey Cromwell and Miranda McIntire.

“We have been giving teams too much space, and that is when we get into trouble,” said Monmouth coach Gary Trafton. “We are getting stronger and had good rotation today. Against Oak Hill (a 1-0 victory), we were able to hang in during a close game, and today we hung in there when Wiscasset came at us those last 10 minutes.

“The girls that came back this year and the freshmen who have come up are all very skilled. There are times we have five freshmen out there. These girls are not big, but they know what to do with the ball.”

“We are very close to this team,” said Goud. “We feel that we can stay with them, well anybody in the league really, and I believe this team will get stronger as the year goes on.”

After Gordon stopped a breakaway chance by Kemp with 10 minutes remaining in the second half, Wiscasset turned up the heat. Hanley twice found a sliver of room in the Monmouth defensive zone, with Mustang goaltender Adriane Gonzales forced to make two of her eight saves. McIntire and Maeve Carlson had shots go wide of the target as the time ticked away.

Monmouth held a 15-10 shot advantage and a slight 2-1 edge in corner kicks.

Monmouth 2, Wiscasset 0

At Monmouth
Wiscasset — 0 0 — 0
Monmouth — 2 0 — 2
Goals — (M) Kylie Kemp (penalty kick), Melissa Brassard.
Assist — (M) Kylie Kemp.
Shots — Monmouth, 15-10.
Saves — (W) Kayla Gordon 9; (M) Adriane Gonzales 8.
Corner kicks — Monmouth, 2-1.
Records — Monmouth 6-0, Wiscasset 3-2-1.
Next — Monmouth hosts Mt. Abram on Friday, while the Wolverines
host Telstar on Friday.