BIDDEFORD — Biddeford boys soccer coach Laurence Holmes said his team has struggled to put together two good halves in games this season, a big reason why the Tigers entered Thursday’s game against Massabesic without a win.

While they weren’t perfect by any means, the Tigers finally did put together two good halves, which gave Biddeford its first win, 3-2, over the Mustangs at Waterhouse Field.

The Tigers (1-8) got off to a good start in the first half, putting a shot on Massabesic (2-6) goalie Joshua Castonguay 30 seconds in. That was followed by many more shots in the first 40 minutes, but Castonguay turned them all away.

“He did do very well with the balls that came through. He’s really taken over that spot and made it his own,” Massabesic head coach Alan Curtis said of Castonguay, who has worked with goalie coach Olivia Curtis to hone his skills. “I just think today our defenders were just a little too lax. They took things a little too much for granted.”

While Biddeford had a big advantage in shots in the first half the Mustangs had the edge in the only stat that gets a win – goals. A cross from the left side by Ethan Ouellette was headed toward the goal by Zach Huff and Dawson Renaud put another header on the ball to put in the back of the net.

That lead didn’t last too long into the second half, however, as a Caleb Ball throw-in deep in Massabesic’s defensive end was deflected by George Bigeni through the legs of Castonguay. The Tigers took the lead with just over 10 minutes left on a similar play, as another Ball throw-in was headed into the top of the net near the left post by Alex Millet.

“Caleb can definitely throw the ball into the back of the net. And we got a bunch of tall guys that are aggressive,” said Holmes. “They’re just now starting to realize that if they pressure the line on a throwin they’re going to have opportunities.”

Biddeford padded its lead with just under three minutes to play, as Bigeni brought the ball into the left side of the box before finding Badir Saadoon for a one-time strike.

The goal loomed large as Renaud scored on a counterattack 61 seconds later to cut the deficit to 3-2.

“Dawson is one of senior leaders, one of our captains, and just him trying to make things happen for the team and being positive, even when things look really bleak and really negative, he’s always trying to encourage the players to play,” said Curtis.

Holmes said with a win under its belt he thinks his team can pull off a few more victories if it plays like it did Thursday.

“It’s the soccer they can play,” said Holmes.

— Sports Staff Writer Wil Kramlich can be contacted at 282- 1535, ext. 323 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @WilTalkSports.