2 weeks Ago
CAPE ELIZABETH—Junior Hailey Gorman and the other returning members of the Cape Elizabeth girls’ soccer team had been counting the days, looking forward to playing the Yarmouth Clippers again. Freshmen Haisel McGeachey and Alyssa Morrisette were happy to be along for the ride. And Thursday evening at Hannaford Field, Gorman, McGeachey and Morrisette all played huge roles as the Capers got a measure of revenge against the two-time reigning Class B state champions in the latest chapter of the teams’ compelling rivalry.
After falling short in all three encounters a year ago, Cape Elizabeth came right out and made a statement that things were going to be different this time, going ahead to stay midway through the first half, as Morrisette set up Gorman for a goal. After Capers sophomore goalkeeper Kelsie Law made a clutch diving save to preserve the lead into the break, McGeachey took center-stage in the second half, burying a gorgeous free kick 15 minutes in for some breathing room. Despite some great chances, the Clippers couldn’t answer and Cape Elizabeth went on to a 2-0 victory.
The Capers improved to 4-0-1, dropping Yarmouth to 2-1-2 in the process. “I think last year impacted how we played,” Gorman said. “We wanted to come back and show (Yarmouth) what we’re capable of.
We really showed them what we have and I’m really proud of the team.” Obstacle cleared Cape Elizabeth and Yarmouth have combined to win the past seven Class B state titles, dating to 2016 (there was no tournament in 2020 due to the pandemic), and along the way, met in the playoffs every year but one. That includes last season’s thrilling Class B South Final, which saw the Capers strike first before the Clippers rallied for a 2-1 triumph .
Yarmouth then downed Ellsworth, 2-0 , to repeat as state champion. The Clippers are reloading this fall, at least in terms of new faces in new places, but haven’t really missed a beat. After rallying for a 2-2 tie at Greely to start the year, Yarmouth defeated visiting Gray-New Gloucester (5-1) and after settling for a scoreless tie with visiting Brunswick, the Clippers blanked visiting York (3-0) Tuesday.
Cape Elizabeth, meanwhile, defeated visiting York (4-1) in the opener, then won at Lake Region (4-0). After letting a two-goal lead slip away in a 2-2 home tie versus Greely, the Capers held off host Freeport, 2-1, Tuesday. That victory was costly, however, as senior standout CC Duryee suffered a fractured foot.
She’ll be out indefinitely although she said Thursday she’s bound and determined to return for the postseason, if not before. “We came in stressed without CC, but we had the mindset that we’re so much more than just a few players,” said Gorman. “We’re a whole team combined.
That boosted our confidence.” “We actually haven’t been healthy since July,” said Capers second-year Branden Noltkamper. “The injury bug has hit us all year.
We’ve had to ask players play in some different positions and they’ve been outstanding.” Yarmouth beat Cape Elizabeth in both regular season meetings a year ago, as well as in the regional final, prevailing at home ( 1-0 ) and at Hannaford Field ( 2-0 ). Thursday, on an unseasonably warm (66 degree) evening, it was the Capers’ turn to break through.
Yarmouth sophomore Lilah Pernal pushes the ball up the field as Cape Elizabeth junior Chloe Durken defends during the Capers’ 2-0 victory Thursday. Hoffer photo. Cape Elizabeth pushed the play early and had some good chances in the first 20 minutes, but off a corner kick, senior captain Elena Rosenberg’s shot was blocked, sophomore Addie Miller sent the rebound wide, Miller was just wide with a left-footed bid on the run, a Gorman cross was cleared out of harm’s way and a corner kick from McGeachey landed in the box but was cleared by Clippers’ junior Keira Cowans.
Then, with 19:58 to go before halftime, the Capers went in front to stay. The goal sequence began, not surprisingly, on the foot of standout junior Noelle Mallory. Mallory, who has long excelled as a finisher, showed she can get the job done as a distributor as well, passing to Morisette, who found Gorman up top and Gorman was able to unleash a blast into the upper left corner, past Yarmouth junior goalkeeper Linnaea Herring, for a 1-0 lead.
“As the game went on, we got more comfortable and trusted each other,” said Gorman. “Our passing combinations throughout the night were really good. I think we’re the most dangerous when the ball is on the ground and we keep it moving.
I saw I had room to shoot. I turned and took my shot. I was looking for open space and saw the left top corner and went for it and got a positive outcome.
” “I’m running out of things to say about Noelle,” said Noltkamper. “She does so much for us offensively and defensively. Her work ethic and general attitude.
We’re lucky to have her. Gorman’s been waiting for that moment for awhile. We’re happy for her.
She’s always in the right place at the right time.” Two minutes later, the Clippers came within inches of tying the score, as after a turnover, the ball came to junior Tess LaBrecque, who sent a promising shot toward the right corner, but Law dove and got just enough of the ball to keep it out. After Law saved a long bid from sophomore Rory Tompkins, senior Eleanor Ting placed a 25-yard free kick just inches wide of the mark.
Late in the half, Herring saved a shot from Gorman, then Ting broke up a rush from Miller with Herring out of the net, sending the game to the half with Cape Elizabeth clinging to a 1-0 lead. The Capers knew going into the second half, that a second goal would be critical. After another Yarmouth near-miss, Cape Elizabeth would get it.
Cape Elizabeth sophomore Addie Miller races down the right side as Yarmouth senior Eleanor Ting gives chase. Courtesy Lisa Mims. Two minutes into the second half, the Clippers threatened, as senior midfield standout Taylor Oranellas set up sophomore Fiona John for a shot from the right, but John sent the ball just wide.
Two minutes later, Miller threatened to double the lead when she got some room on the run, but Miller sent the ball just wide of the near post. With 28:15 to go, Yarmouth literally came within inches of tying the score, as sophomore Lilah Pernal’s cross sailed over the head of Law, but fortunately for Cape Elizabeth, the ball rang off the crossbar and was cleared. The Capers then got some breathing room.
With 25:34 to go, after a Clippers’ foul, McGeachey lined up a free kick from about 30-yards out to Herring’s right and she lofted a perfectly placed ball over the goalie and into the net, just inside the far post for a 2-0 advantage. “I was a little stressed out because I didn’t want to miss,” said McGeachey, after scoring her first varsity goal (with many more to come). “I just tried to curl it in there maybe for someone to run on to it or for it to go in.
I was just praying it wouldn’t go over or out. It was really exciting. I was so happy.
It was awesome in the moment and it’s awesome now. I’m so grateful to have this opportunity and to have these amazing teammates. They’ve been super-welcoming to me.
” “It’s really nice having the freshmen on the team,” said Gorman. “It started out just as Haisel. She’s come in with amazing skills and has gotten progressively better.
Now, having Alyssa too, they’ve handled the pressure really well.” “Haisel is a different type of player,” Noltkamper added. “It can kind of get overwhelming at times as a freshman, but she gets better every single day.
That goal was the culmination of a lot of really good training sessions. To do it at home in front of a big fan base is great for her. I said at halftime that there would be another goal in this game.
It would end 1-1 or 2-0 for us. It was up to us to decide and Haisel stepped up and scored on that set piece.” Morrisette nearly added her first varsity goal with 20:30 remaining, but her 40-yard blast was tipped over the bar by a leaping Herring.
Herring then denied Mallory, off a pass from Gorman, beat Gorman to a ball in the box, then saved a bid from sophomore GG Sprague off a nice pass from junior Kate Hetrick. Yarmouth had one final look, but Tompkins shot high and the Capers closed it out and celebrated their 2-0 triumph. Cape Elizabeth players rush to sophomore goalkeeper Kelsie Law to celebrate the victory.
Hoffer photo. “This was awesome,” McGeachey said. “So much fun.
” “I couldn’t be happier for these guys,” Noltkamper said. “They work hard every day. Yarmouth’s well-coached, they’re organized, they’re a good team.
It’s never easy playing them, so I’m very happy with the result. The Capers finished with a 6-4 edge in shots on frame, took all six of the game’s corner kicks and got four saves from Law, all which were critical. “Kelsie has stepped in and started as a sophomore and has been outstanding,” said Noltkamper.
Herring made four saves for the Clippers, who suffered their first loss since a season-opening setback at Greely a year ago. “I think the kids competed from start to finish and we’ll learn from this,” said Yarmouth coach Andy Higgins. “(Cape) probably had more of the run of play, but we didn’t back down and we answered.
We had opportunities. “Overall, we’re still a pretty young team. This is a great learning opportunity to come here and play on this field against a really good team and see where we stand.
“They’re good. Noelle is a game-changer. She’s big and strong.
Losing CC is huge and I hope she can get back healthy. She’s a super-kid and a great player. They still have a lot of other good players around.
I think they rallied for CC tonight.” Lots to look forward to The rivals meet again when the Capers play at the Clippers in the regular season finale Oct. 22.
In the meantime, both squads have their hands full. Yarmouth is back in action Saturday at Wells. The Clippers then have a big home test versus Greely next Tuesday before visiting reigning Class C champion Waynflete Thursday of next week.
“We’ll move forward and build on this and this will be a positive down the road,” said Higgins. “This will refocus us and dial us back in as we get stronger moving into the second half of the season. We’ve got some good pieces to move forward.
I have to evaluate how I set us up and some of the decisions I’m making and try to get us better. Tonight falls on me and I have to do a better job preparing the kids.” Cape Elizabeth looks to keep rolling Saturday at Poland.
After hosting Fryeburg Academy next Tuesday, the Capers will be tested at York Thursday of next week. “We just need to keep training and keep a positive mindset,” Gorman said. “If we trust each other, we’ll get progressively better.
” “Nothing is decided in September,” said Noltkamper. “We want to peak at the right time. We’re in a good place, but we have to get better every day.
We just need to stay focused. We get Greely again, Yarmouth again. There isn’t a single game in this conference that’s easy to get through.
We’re working through bumps and bruises and we’ll stay ready.” Comments are not available on this story. Send questions/comments to the editors.
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