FALMOUTH — After 80 minutes of regulation and another three and change of overtime, Jonah Spiegel finally saw an opening in what had been an impenetrable defensive wall.
A pass from Schuyler Parkinson arrived at Spiegel’s feet and Spiegel took it from there Wednesday night, into the teeth of a driving rainstorm for the goal that gave fourth-seeded Falmouth a 1-0 victory over fifth-ranked Portland in a Class A South boys’ soccer quarterfinal.
“One defender in front, I had to take a big touch to beat him,” Spiegel said. “Somehow, with the conditions, I got that good touch. I took another, saw where the goalie was and placed it to the left, and it went in.”
Falmouth (11-3-1) advanced to a regional semifinal Saturday at top-ranked Scarborough (13-0-2). The Bulldogs (8-3-5) were missing two starters and another player because of school rules violations.
“Even without their top two defenders, they were still really hard (to attack),” Spiegel said. “They’re probably the best defense in the state.”
Portland goalkeeper Bobby Brittingham was flawless in regulation and finished with 12 saves.
“The guys who were out there on that field gave us everything we wanted,” Portland Coach Rocco Frenzilli said. “I couldn’t be prouder of them. Circumstances are what they are. These guys who played for us tonight showed incredible grit, fortitude, resilience, you name it.”
Portland’s back line of Oliver Brochu, Alex Frank, Quinn Clarke, Tyler Caron and Sam Mermin continually frustrated Falmouth’s attackers, who had eight corner kicks to Portland’s none. Falmouth’s best chance prior to overtime was a blast from 30 yards by Nigel Dunn that required a leaping slap over the crossbar by Brittingham.
“I thought we had the edge throughout,” Spiegel said. “It was just that final pass that we couldn’t string together.”
Jack Scribner needed four saves for the shutout and was tested twice in the second half on hard drives by Brady Cyr.
“One of them hit me hard but I was able to control it,” Scribner said. “Coach always says get two barriers behind the ball, so I really made sure to get my body behind the ball.”
The game started in a light rain that stopped before coming down harder in the second half.
“It was fun at first,” Spiegel said. “Then it got pretty cold.”
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