The sixth-seeded Windham girls’ soccer team capitalized on fouls to beat third-seeded Cheverus 3-1 in a Class A South quarterfinal Wednesday at Cheverus High School.

The Eagles (11-2-3) scored twice off direct kicks by Emily Kent to advance to the semifinals Saturday against No. 2 Scarborough.

Cheverus ended its season 10-4-1.

Kent scored nine minutes into the game with a 30-yard shot that sailed just under the crossbar.

“She has got a great foot, and she can place it really well,” Windham Coach Deb Lebel. “We have been working on taking quick resets – don’t give them time to set up – and it really paid off.”

Emma Gallant, the top scorer for Cheverus, answered eight minutes later with a goal assisted by Lauren Jordan, and the teams went to halftime tied 1-1.

Lebel credited Windham defender Alexa Belle Skvorak, who covered Gallant, and sweeper Caitlin Drouin with keeping the Stags off the board for the rest of the game.

But Cheverus controlled the first 10 minutes of the second half, creating several dangerous scoring opportunities. Five minutes in, Windham keeper Kaitlyn Roberts redirected a Gallant shot, tipping it over the goal. Four minutes later, Emily Turner crossed the ball in front of Windham’s goal and a scramble ensued before the Eagles cleared the ball away.

“They came out fired up – they knew they had to get some momentum,” Lebel said of Cheverus. “We were a little bit flat, but once we got it going we really clicked.”

It took 11 minutes for the Eagles to get their first shot of the half, a blast by Kent that curved wide to the right of Cheverus’ goal.

“After halftime, I don’t know what happened. A few minutes into the second half, it was getting a little nerve-wracking,” Kent said.

“Then, we just clicked. All of our little passes were connecting, and everything started to come together.”

With 19 minutes left, Kent nearly scored on another long direct kick, as her shot bounced off the crossbar. Meghan Hoffses was there to finish the job, however, getting her body on the rebound for a 2-1 lead.

“I just need to get it on frame,” Kent said. “If I can’t get it in personally, I can count on my teammates to be there, because I know they’re crashing the net after it.”

Windham held momentum the rest of the way. With 7:17 remaining, Hannah Kaplan finished off a Hoffses shot, tapping it in for the final goal.

Roberts finished with five saves for Windham, and Cheverus keeper Katie Boynton recorded eight saves.

“They played a really good game. They were pressuring us the entire time,” Kaplan said of Cheverus’ defense. “We connected on our passes and played together as a team.”

Related Stories