BIDDEFORD — The Thornton Academy Golden Trojans used ball control and aggressive play Wednesday night in a 4-1 win against rival Biddeford in girls soccer to remain undefeated.
Although Thornton Academy won by three goals, TA coach Chris Kohl noted the game’s passionate play.
“It’s a rivalry game so you’re going to have a lot of intensity,” said Kohl.
Thornton controlled the ball, utilizing great passing and switched fields to open attackers. Waterhouse Field is a small soccer pitch, as it’s only slightly larger than a football field.
That limited both teams abilities to open play, Kohl said.
“It’s tough to play in the middle because it gets crowded,” he said.
Thornton’s offensive scheme was simple: Pass the ball and work on give and goes until a shot presented itself. Thornton scored first with a goal by junior Allie Coburn. Thornton’s Haley DaGraca followed that up with a goal from 20 yards out at 24:34. Thornton had two more scoring opportunities within a minute and a half, but both shots clanked off the crossbar. Biddeford scored its first goal off a corner when Lexi Paquette kicked it into the back of the net with an assist from Deidra Doyon.
“Deidra crossed it in from the corner, and I saw it was going over all the defenders, so I backed up and hit it in,” said Paquette.
The score at the half was 2-1 Thornton Academy.
The Tigers took more shots on goal in the second half, but Emily Richard saved all four attempts.
“Something we have been working on is high pressure on the ball. We did that well tonight and pressured smart,” said Biddeford coach Darren Boynton.
At the 29:05 mark, Thornton set up outside for an open shot. Amanda Arnold scored off a lob from 10 yards out that tipped off goalie Olivia Curtis’ fingertips and into the back of the net.
“I just wanted to score. My teammates and I worked well together, and I saw the opportunity and I took it,” said Arnold.
Thornton Academy scored the last goal of the match at 15:27 on a tough angle shot from Courtney O’Brien. With a crowded middle, the ball was passed out to the side where she kicked it in a spot the goalie could not reach.
“We took advantage of opportunities when we needed to,” said Kohl.
The goal tonight on Richard marks only the fourth goal scored on the Golden Trojans this season.
Thornton is now outscoring opponents 47-4 and improved to 8-0.
The Golden Trojans will play today at home against Scarborough (7-0).
Biddeford (3-4-1) will look to bounce back when it travels to Marshwood (3-5-1) on Friday for its next game.
— Contact Nate Fowler at 282-1535, Ext. 323.
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