Old Orchard Beach’s Megan Dyer battles a Traip defender for the ball, Monday.
Traip successfully pressured the Seagulls throughout the game, keeping OOB on the defense.
Although the Rangers managed to dominate the scoreboard, OOB coach Shauna Regan was pleased with the way her team battled the Rangers and made every point a difficult one.
“They have a strong offense but our defense is pretty tough. I thought our offense came alive in the second half. It was a back-and-forth game … with them it usually is,” said Regan.
Traip’s Rachel Potter put the Rangers up early in the first half on a goal in the center of the field.
OOB fought hard during the ensuing minutes, and managed to get some offensive looks from Megan Dyer and Madisyn Feitz.
Traip would eventually break through with a goal from Sierra O’Brien late in the half to take the 2-0 lead at the break.
OOB didn’t make many schematic adjustments, but knew that it would have to step up it’s intensity to climb back into the fight in the second half.
“We didn’t make adjustments, I just told the girls to keep up the intensity. You have to want it to win it and to keep up the good fight,” said Regan.
The Rangers continued to play well in the second half, and extended their lead to 3-0 less than four minutes into the period on a goal from Molly Humiston. Much like the first half, OOB held off the Rangers for much of the second and did not allow Traip’s final goal until the 3:33 mark when O’Brien would score her second goal of the game to secure the 4-0 shutout.
Regan was proud of the way her team fought until the very end.
“They went at it and kept their heads up … I have no regrets with what they did. I have low numbers so subbing is tough but they all did their job,” said Regan.
Regan was also happy with goalie Alexis Gamage’s performance in the cage, as well as the support her teammates showed her while being under heavy fire. Gamage tallied five saves on the night.
“She was great … if there’s one thing we teach our girls it is to get your goalie. If they score, go to your goalie and tell them it’s OK, they need to get through your front lines and mids to get to your goalie,” said Regan.
The Seagulls fall to 1-8-1 on the season and will face the Maine Girl’s Academy next. Regan believes the key to winning will be to stick together.
“Just stay together, if you don’t stay together then things could fall apart. The next game is going to be even tougher.”
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