SANFORD — The Sanford girls soccer team nearly saw its undefeated start to the season end Thursday night, as they had to fight to the end to hold off Massabesic in a 1-0 victory at Cobb Stadium.

Allison Legere scored on a pass from Hannah Kallis just 7:30 into the game for the deciding score. The Mustangs had their moments and their chances, but couldn’t do what no other team has done to the Spartans this season: Beat them. Sanford coach Kendra Brown said that the team is lucky to still have a goose egg in the loss column.

“I think they outplayed us tonight. We were running to the ball, and they were sprinting,” said Brown. “We came out on the winning end, which is great for us, but I don’t take any credit away from them. They played really hard tonight.””

The way the first half ended was a microcosm of how close the game was. Sierra Arral made a move on a pass into the box, but Sanford goalie Kellie Tovey scooped the ball up as the halftime whistle blew.

Tovey had to make a few remarkable saves in the second half to keep the shutout intact. Seven minutes into the half, Tovey made a stop on a shot from Alyssa Gilman inside the 18, then had to get back up and knock Gilman’s rebound attempt wide of the left post. Sanford nearly scored on the counter attack, as Kayla Cote had a shot go just wide.

Tovey made another great save 10 minutes later on a point-blank shot from Roshelle Morrison.

“She was phenomenal. She’s been phenomenal all season, saving our butts time and time again,” Brown said of Tovey.

Massabesic continued to pressure Tovey and the Spartans’ defense throughout the second half, but just ran out of time to get the equalizer.

“We wish we had five more minutes. We felt like we played them well. We felt like we had a lot more to go,” said Massabesic head coach Kevin St. Jarre.

Although the outcome wasn’t favorable, St. Jarre said he was proud to see the girls fight until the final whistle.

“If there’s one thing about this team, is they just never quit,” said St. Jarre. “They play ”˜til the last possible second of every game.”

There was an increased physicality to the game, as players from both sides walked a little gingerly after the game. But the game didn’t feature any cheap shots, just high intensity and fighting for every loose ball. Brown said she was glad her learned how to deal with playing in such a game.

“I actually told the girls ”˜this is great to have a game like this.’ We’ve had some easier games where we’ve had a bigger winning margin. So this is great to see some adversity, some pressure, and a tougher team. Because I think all the teams from now on are going to be tough,” said Brown.

The next couple of opponents on the Spartans’ schedule not be pushovers, as they face Cheverus on the road on Saturday, then face Gorham at home next Wednesday.

Massabesic gets back-to-back home games against struggling opponents, as they face Noble on Wednesday before hosting Portland next Friday.

— Contact Wil Kramlich at 282-1535, Ext. 323.