CAPE ELIZABETH — Cape Elizabeth goalkeeper Sean Agrodnia knows the importance of not dwelling on mistakes.

After a pass from his own defender nearly rolled over his foot and into the goal in Tuesday night’s boys’ soccer game against Falmouth, Agrodnia went on to make several key saves that kept the Yachtsmen off the board. Falmouth (1-0-1) and Cape Elizabeth (0-1-1) tied 0-0 after two scoreless overtime periods.

“It kind of skipped over my foot,” said Agrodnia, a junior. “I put that behind me right away. In a game like that –- if you stay in that moment – you’re going to end up losing 2-3 nothing. You can’t change it. You just have to move on.”

Agrodnia did just that. In the final seven minutes of regulation play, he made two sliding saves on Falmouth breakaways, kicking the ball out of the box.

“I was just trying to get big, and it hit my foot,” said Agrodnia, who recorded six saves. “Don’t know what else I can do. Just got to get big.”

Cape Elizabeth Coach Ben Raymond reflected on Agrodnia’s nearly costly error with a smile.

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“That was a little bit of a scary moment, but he definitely made up for it,” Raymond said. “I think he’s definitely going to be a strong player for us. He’s trying to be more of a presence in the box by being louder and taking charge. He’s definitely growing into that.”

Cape Elizabeth junior David Hare closely trails Falmouth senior Michael Sanzari during their game Tuesday.   Brianna Soukup/Staff Photographer

Cape Elizabeth junior David Hare closely trails Falmouth senior Michael Sanzari during their game Tuesday. Brianna Soukup/Staff Photographer

Falmouth Coach David Halligan also credited Agrodnia with preventing at least three “sure” goals.

“It was a good high school soccer game between two good soccer teams,” Halligan said. “We had our chances, and their goalie came up big.”

The Yachtsmen suffered an even scarier moment when junior forward Ben Wuesthoff went down with 10 minutes left in the second half. While turning for the ball, Wuesthoff hit his head on a Cape Elizabeth defender’s shoulder and fell limply to the ground. He was sidelined shortly after and did not return.

After the game, Wuesthoff couldn’t recall what had happened. “I couldn’t tell you,” he said. “I don’t know.”

Halligan said Weusthoff will be evaluated for a concussion.

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“You hate see him go out of them game,” Agrodnia said of Weusthoff. “You know what they’re trying to do – they’re trying to cross the ball to him. So losing him hurt them.”

As the score suggests, the game was an even matchup. And both teams have already been tested this season. Falmouth beat Class B powerhouse Greely 1-0 in its opener while Cape Elizabeth lost to two-time defending Class B state champion Yarmouth, 1-0.

The Yachtsmen and the Capers are scheduled to meet again on Friday, Oct. 7, at Falmouth.

“They’re two of the best teams in the state,” Halligan said. “I think both teams will be playing late October.”


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