SACO — A second-half surge propelled the Thornton Academy girl’s soccer team to a 3-0 shutout win over visiting Westbrook Wednesday afternoon.

After a scoreless first half, the Trojans would get consecutive goals from Hannah Niles and a third goal from Natalia Profenno to secure the 3-0 win.

“Coming out in the first half we didn’t come out very strong and we didn’t have a good warmup, we said that once the second half started we needed to turn it up, and as soon as we got on the field we started to play quicker, we were way too clustered in the first half so we started to spread out more,” said Niles.

Both goalies had an easy first half, with only four combined shots on goal being recorded.

Offensive spacing was key, according to Niles.

“The first half was frustrating, we had too much in the middle and we didn’t get wide enough,” said Niles. “In the second we really played out wide and took it to them.”

Niles scored her first goal at the 34:20 mark in the second after she tapped the ball past the charging Westbrook goalie. Less than two minutes later, she tallied her second goal to give the Trojans the 2-0 advantage.

“(It was) good, it relaxes everyone – everyone started to relax a bit and we played a little bit quicker. We just needed that mindset and to go get a goal,” said TA coach Chris Kohl.

Kohl also felt that his team needed to increase its intensity heading into the second half, which proved to be the difference.

“We played with more intensity – that’s what it boiled down to. It’s a mindset thing, we had to come out at halftime with a fiery intensity and they knew that,” said Kohl. “We were playing slow and not really going through what we needed to do. We played quicker, took less touches, we were looking to find people and taking advantage of some opportunities.”

TA improves to 2-0 to start the season, despite beginning the year with a younger group than last season.

“Going into the season we lost quite a few seniors so the first game was iffy but the first game was pretty good and we keep getting better. I think that’s what we need to do this season,” said Niles.

Kohl also believes that the Trojans are a work in progress, but have a high ceiling down the road.

“We need to continue to work on our runs right now, we are waiting for someone to do something rather than create it,” said Kohl. “Right now we are saying, ‘OK, what are they going to do,’ then reacting. If we start being proactive instead of reactive then we will be a much better offensive team.”

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