GORHAM – The Gorham High girls’ soccer team may not be the powerhouse that won four consecutive Western Class A titles from 2005-08, but the Rams should not be overlooked by anyone.

The Rams won their sixth consecutive game Friday afternoon, beating gritty Massabesic 3-1 in a Western Class A preliminary- round game. Playing in a steady rain that quickly deteriorated field conditions, seventh-seeded Gorham overcame an early deficit to advance to Tuesday’s quarterfinals against second-ranked Thornton Academy.

“I think we’re at our best right now, 100 percent out there,” said senior midfielder Shannon Folan, who assisted Gorham’s first two goals. “No injuries, everyone just ready to play, every game.”

Gorham (12-3) won for the 10th time in 11 games since opening the season 1-2 following back-to-back losses to No. 1 Windham and No. 3 Scarborough.

“We had some growing to do at the beginning of the season,” said Jeanne Zarrilli, the veteran Rams coach. “We were just a team that needed some time to work things out, especially in the finishing department.”

Well, the Rams finished fine against the Mustangs.

No. 10 Massabesic (7-8) grabbed a 1-0 lead with 8:26 remaining in the first half on a goal by freshman Kailey Daigle, who was playing her first varsity game as a replacement for Massabesic’s top scorer, Alyssa Wardwell, out with a concussion.

A Gorham defender misplayed a long ball, allowing Daigle to break behind the defense.

As Gorham keeper Marissa Roberts raced to the ball, Daigle got her foot on it, pushing it off the far left post and into the net.

The Rams didn’t waste much time responding, scoring twice in less than four minutes to take a 2-1 lead into halftime.

“It shows that you’ve got some heart and soul, when you’ve got to pick it up and come back,” said Zarrilli. “That’s what I’m most proud of. We came together as a team.”

Freshman Cady Houghton got the first goal with 5:03 remaining when she headed in a corner kick by Folan. Folan’s kick from the right corner was just out of the reach of the leaping Gemma Lundrigan, Massabesic’s goalkeeper. Houghton was right behind Lundrigan and headed the ball in under the crossbar.

Kali St. Germain scored her 20th goal of the season with 1:06 left, again heading in a perfectly placed kick by Folan, who had a direct kick from about 30 yards out on the left.

“We’ve been playing together since we were little, so I can kind of read her mind,” said St. Germain. “So when I see her taking a corner or free kick, I know that it’s my responsibility to get to it. I know she’ll get it there.”

Gorham had the only goal of the second half, a rebound by sophomore Kate Hopkins with 25:15 remaining. The Rams had constant pressure but Lundrigan made several impressive stops.

“She was amazing for us, as she has been all year,” said Kevin St. Jarre, coach of the Mustangs. “I thought we played well at the beginning and then they came at us pretty hard.”

Staff Writer Mike Lowe can be contacted at 791-6422 or at:

mlowe@pressherald.com

Twitter: MikeLowePPH