BATH

Throughout a long season, teams go through lulls, have bad games and things just don’t seem to bounce the right way on a given night.

The Morse High School girls soccer team experienced all of that on Tuesday in a 4-1 Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference loss to Camden Hills at McMann Field.

The Shipbuilders hit the post twice, not to mention the shots that missed literally by inches. And, when the Morse defense made a rare mistake, the ball somehow found its way behind goaltender Alesha Aucoin, who played well in the loss with six saves.

“They were first to the ball, but we were making better plays once we got it, but we were a bit unlucky and two mistakes cost us two goals,” said Morse coach Steve Boyce, whose 7-3-2 Shipbuilders return to action on Thursday at home against Oceanside (6 p.m.). “I don’t know how many close calls that we had. We can do many things right, but the score is in their favor. It is frustrating, and I don’t know what we could have done differently.”

Camden Hills took advantage of the midfield, winning several 50-50 balls. Morse was missing midfield starters Sophie Sreden and Courtney Estabrook, while Windjammers Emma Gutheinz, Charlotte Messer and Taylor Johnson were running at full strength.

“We just stepped to the ball a lot harder and played with intensity,” said Gutheinz, who tallied two goals and picked up an assist. “Every pass went to red tonight. The placement of our passes really helped us get goals. We wanted to come out in both halves with the same intensity and get them back on their heels. We were able to do that.”

“The gals we had in the middle, taking Sophie’s and Courtney’s place, played well tonight,” said Boyce. “We have players that need to grow into that role. Camden was just better tonight.”

Windjammers score

After an evenly-played opening five minutes, a long ball led to trouble for the Shipbuilders. Miscommunication allowed Gutheinz to step in and fire a shot into the vacated Morse goal for a 1-0 lead 5:48 into the game.

Shots by Camden’s Abbie Chamberlain and Messer just missed moments later, with Morse coming close to the equalizer on the other end when Noa Sreden gained control of a pass inside the 18, with her attempt deflecting off a Windjammer defenseman and into the waiting arms of goaltender Rachel Pease (eight saves).

Camden set up for its second corner kick. A short pass was followed by a give-and-go sequence between Izzy Gutheinz and Messer, who hooked up with Bryn Anderson for a 2-0 lead with 12:57 left until halftime.

Boyce made a tactical move after the second Windjammers goal, moving Miracle Trimble from midfield to forward. Trimble and Brianna Williams began working their magic, setting up three quality scoring chances. Williams had the best chance, but her shot from 16-yards out glanced off the post and out of play.

The Shipbuilders gained momentum with 2:35 remaining in the opening frame. Amanda Gagne carried the ball toward the Camden goal. Her shot made it through traffic, hit the post and caromed into the net behind Pease to make for a 2-1 game.

Morse’s momentum was shortlived, as Emily Blackwell converted a pass from Emma Gutheinz just 52 seconds into the second frame for a 3-1 lead.

“Usually when we get a goal it pumps us up and gets us going, but after they got that third goal it slowed us down,” said Gagne. “They were first to the ball, nearly every ball. We were missing two of our varsity players and we felt a little bit off tonight.”

“That was one of the mistakes, but we are young in certain places and you have to live with what you have,” said Boyce.

Williams hit the post for a second time off a nice setup from Sierra Wallace with 18:30 left, and Emma Gutheinz finished the scoring five minutes later off an assist from Messer, who had two helpers as Camden improved to 8-3-1.

The Windjammers finished with a 15-14 shots advantage, while both teams attempted two corner kicks.

Camden Hills 4, Morse 1

At McMann Field in Bath
Camden — 2 2 — 4
Morse — 1 0 — 1
Goals — (CH) Emma Gutheinz 2, Bryn Anderson, Emily Blackwell; (Mo) Amanda Gagne.
Assists — (CH) Charlotte Messer 2, Emma
Gutheinz.
Shots — Camden 15, Morse 14.
Saves — (CH) Rachel Pease 8; (Mo) Alesha
Aucoin 6.
Corner kicks — Camden 2, Morse 2.
Records — Camden 8-3-1; Morse 7-3-2.
Up next for the Shipbuilders — Thursday
against Oceanside at home, 6 p.m.