KENNEBUNK — After a scoreless first half, the No. 2 Kennebunk girls soccer team would get a goal early in the second form Lydia Howarth to top visiting No. 7 South Portland 1-0 in the Class A South quarterfinals on Tuesday.

The two teams had another tight battle earlier in the season which resulted in a 2-2 draw. Not much was different on Tuesday, as Howarth’s goal was the only one needed for the Rams to advance.

“South Portland is a really strong side, especially their center mid (Julianna Selser). For us, the first time we were down a few players with some injuries, playing a new formation this year, first time we’re seeing all of these teams and not knowing what to expect with them. They brought their A-game, they brought it the first time they played us and they brought it today. Could have gone either way,” said Kennebunk coach Shannon Cavanaugh after the win.

Although it was tightly-contested, the Rams were in control for much of the first half. Kennebunk also had a handful of misses, including a shot off the crossbar in the first minute of play and a shot off the post in the final minute of the half.

Cavanaugh admitted that her team was frustrated at the halftime break, but was still focused and energized heading into the second half.

“Yes, but in a positive way for sure. It took us awhile this season to start putting the ball into the net so as frustrating as it was hitting the post, they were definitely in good spirits and feeling good about our opportunities,” said Cavanaugh.

The Red Riots started off hot in the second half, but at the 30:31 mark Emily Archibald would send a pass in front of the net to set up Howarth’s goal. From there on, the Rams controlled the tempo once again.

“(It was) just a matter of finally getting it in,” said Cavanaugh. “Definitely had some nerves coming into this from the girls so it took awhile to settle in and believe that we were capable. They ended up the second seed for a reason, so when they believe in themselves they can do some great things. When that first goal went in a weight lifted off their shoulders for sure.”

The Rams will host Marshwood on Saturday in the semis. The Hawks won their first matchup early this season, and Cavanaugh hopes her team will have better luck this time around.

“The first time we got burnt with far too many offside calls, they play the same formation that we do and they have a strong offside trap,” said Cavanaugh. “Hopefully we’ll have some more success.”

— Associate Sports Editor Alex Sponseller can be reached at [email protected] or at 282-1535 ext. 323. Follow the Journal Tribune Sports Department on Twitter @JournalTsports.