WINDHAM — The Scarborough girls’ soccer team began the most critical week of its regular season Monday with a victory.
And not just any victory, but a statement victory at longtime rival Windham.
The reigning Class A champion Red Storm set the tone early on a goal from senior standout Lana Djuranovic, then Djuranovic and junior Delia Fravert added second-half tallies to produce a 3-0 victory.
Scarborough, which has a home game with resurgent South Portland and a showdown at Gorham later this week, improved to 5-1.
“It’s always good to come to Windham and win a game like this,” said Red Storm Coach Mike Farley. “It’s as well as we’ve played here in awhile. They’re a very good team. It was a great job by the kids.”
Djuranovic, widely considered the state’s finest girls’ soccer player, put Scarborough ahead to stay in the eighth minute. She took a pass from Fravert, went one-on-two against the defense and, after getting around a defender, beat Eagles goalkeeper Alejandra Hidell (three saves) with a low blast off her right foot.
“It was important for us to get in the mindset to get an early lead and to show we could beat them,” said Djuranovic. “We know we have eyes on us and we’re trying to stay focused on ourselves more than other teams.”
The Eagles (3-3) had a 4-2 advantage in shots on goal in the first half, but couldn’t dent the Red Storm defense or goalie Sophia Rinaldi (seven saves). Emily Talbot, Stella Jarvais and Neve Ledbetter all had good chances turned aside.
“I felt like we came out lacking a little confidence because we knew Scarborough is good,” said Windham Coach Deb LeBel. “If we would have played with more confidence, we could have finished and it would have been a different game.”
Eight minutes into the second half, Djuranovic struck for the second time, this time with her left foot, after being set up by Maya Taylor.
“Lana can do anything she wants when she puts her mind to it,” Farley said. “She’s special.”
The Red Storm then slammed the door with 5:40 to go, thanks to a beautiful passing sequence. Djuranovic won possession in the middle of the field, moved forward, then played the ball up the left wing to Emmie Flaker. She centered to Fravert, who beat Hiddell with a powerful shot to the goalie’s left.
“We knew after we lost (to Thornton Academy) that we don’t have much room for error, so we show up knowing we have to win every game,” said Scarborough senior captain and defensive standout Natalie Ryan. “We knew this game and the next two games are big games for us and we had to give everything we had.”
The Eagles finished with a 7-6 edge in shots on frame and took six corner kicks.
“We just have to figure out who is going to be our goal scorer,” LeBel said.
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