Young Gulls learning to win

OLD ORCHARD BEACH — If Maine Class C schools are expecting the Old Orchard Beach Seagulls girls soccer team to lay down and lose every game this season because it’s their first varsity season in five years, they might want to change their thoughts.

The Gulls are winning. Not only that, they’re having fun doing it.

There was no better example of that attitude than yesterday, during the Gulls’ 7-1 victory over the Wells Warriors, a Class B team, at Old Orchard Beach High School.

Anna Foss started the scoring early for the Gulls (2-2), knocking in a penalty kick after Wells was called for touching the ball with a player’s hand shortly after the start of the first half.

About three minutes later, the Warriors (0-4) tied the game with a goal by Warriors captain Emily Wood.

Kelsey Koenigs ended the tie shortly thereafter, scoring a goal after her shot deflected off the hand of Wells goalkeeper Anna Wolterbeek into the net, giving the Gulls a 2-1 lead.

A controversial moment came on the next goal for Old Orchard Beach. Amy Twohig knocked a shot over the head of Wolterbeek, but hit the top crossbar of the goal and then hit the ground and rolled away. The shot was ruled a goal, as it was decided the ball had crossed the goal line before ruling out. Wells coach Erin Kaye contested the call, but to no avail.

Abigail Fucciani would knock in one more goal for the Gulls shortly before the end of the first half, and at halftime Old Orchard was on the bright side of a 4-1 lead.

While Wells put up a better fight in the second half, good luck was not on their side, as evidenced by the Gulls next goal. A shot by Koenigs deflected off of a Wells defender, but was kicked hard enough to sail over Wolterbeek’s head and into the net to give Old Orchard Beach a 5-1 lead.

“It was just a stupid pass to myself that was a little too far, it should have been a dribble,” Koenigs said. “It went off the other girl, and kind of rebounded off me and I was able to get it in the goal.”

The Warriors dealt with another bout of hard luck minutes later, when Victoria Byan got a goal after rebounding the ball after it rolled past Wolterbeek’s hands.

Foss would knock in her second goal of the game near the end of the game to end the Gulls’ scoring for the day, winning the match 7-1.

Koenigs said the win was big for the Gulls program.

“It’s a pretty big deal for us, because it’s our first time being varsity in a really long time,” Koenigs said. “As a freshman I was really excited to try out for the varsity team and we didn’t have one, so for us to come in and beat a varsity team that’s Class B and we have mostly freshmen on the team. We only have two seniors. That’s incredible. It felt good.”

Throughout much of the game, the Gulls were in full cheer mode, both on the field and on the bench. Not only did they cheer players for successful reasons, such as scoring goals, but they also cheered just as hard at near goals, or even successful passes.

Old Orchard Beach coach Eva Tomecka said she has tried to bring a positive atmosphere to the team.

“I wouldn’t call it fun as much as it is creating a positive atmosphere in which to play soccer.” Tomecka said. “Through participation in sports, we can build girls self confidence and their overall character and create positive citizens. I do try to create a positive atmosphere in practice and at games, and yeah the kids seem to be having fun.”

Koenigs said the Gulls have fun, win or lose.

“We definitely have a lot of fun, even when we lose,” Koenigs said. “Our last game, it was like a 4-2 loss to Sacopee Valley, and we were laughing and having a good time. It feels good to play soccer and the girls we have are so much fun to play with. It’s awesome.”

The trend may be working, as the Gulls have now won two games in a row on the young season. Tomecka said the team has already surpassed her expectations.

“We have very talented girls. Where we are in our first season of varsity, we anticipated many losses. I was hoping to get one win, so we’ve increased my expectations, which is wonderful.”